12 Reasons You Need To Vote On Tuesday

On Tuesday, November 7, municipalities nationwide are holding local elections. You need to be there. 

Here are 12 crucial reasons you should head to the ballot box this week. 

Extremists Always Show

man angrily typing on his computer keyboard
Photo Credit: Roman Samborskyi via Shutterstock.com.

Extremists on both sides always show up for every election. Balance out the loudest voices of both your party and the other by adding your own to the mix. 

Local Stuff Affects You

An annoyed woman making a rude expression pointing at herself as if to say "what, me?"
Photo Credit: pathdoc via Shutterstock.com.

Everyone shows up to national elections that don’t really affect day-to-day life, but they never show up to local elections, which actually have an impact. 

School Boards

Child walking towards the stairs leading up to a school with a backback on.
Photo Credit: Sharomka via Shutterstock.com.

Many municipalities have hotly contested school board positions on the ballot. You need to vote to prevent extremists from taking over our schools. 

Book Bannings

A woman looks up from a book with a shocked expression on her face to represent books about witches.
Photo Credit: Dean Drobot via Shutterstock.com.

We already see things happening in the south, where an extremist group won school board elections and immediately started banning books and preventing your kids from learning the true history of our country. 

Human Rights on the Ballot

Pregnant woman sitting on a bed holding her belly looking off in the distance like she's deep in thought.
Photo Credit: Twinsterphoto via Shutterstock.com.

Some states, like Ohio, have human rights measures on the ballot. Vote in your local elections so you don’t become a second-class citizen. 

Taxes

Block letters "t" "a" and "x" standing atop small piles of coins that get progressively bigger to spell out "tax."
Photo Credit: enciktepstudio via Shutterstock.com.

Lots of local elections have tax hikes or tax decreases on the ballot. Texas has an amendment that would lower property taxes for everyone and another that would prevent the state from initiating any type of wealth tax, for example. 

And Improvements

A collapsed road and power line.
Photo Credit: austinding via Shutterstock.com.

Taxes and improvements go hand in hand. Many municipalities put ideas for crucial infrastructure improvements on the ballot, and voters must decide if that project is worth their tax dollars. 

Constitutional Amendments

The US Constitution rolled up with the "we the People" showing at the top. It's resting on an American flag.
Photo Credit: eurobanks via Shutterstock.com.

Many states offer their voters a say in constitutional amendments. These appear on the ballot in many off-cycle elections. The most crucial this year is Ohio’s amendment to guarantee a woman the right to her own body. 

Mayors and City Counsels

model politician with assistant talking to journallists.
Photo Credit: BAZA Production via Shutterstock.com.

City elections don’t always follow the same cycle as national elections. You might miss the chance to vote for your own city’s mayor and council members if you don’t vote. 

Prosecutors and Judges

A lawyer in a courtoom arguing with her back to the judge.
Photo credit: wavebreakmedia via Shutterstock.com.

It’s even more vital to vote for local prosecutors and judges. A prison-happy judge and “tough on crime” prosecutor sounds good until you realize that they’re going to lock a ton of people away for ridiculous reasons. 

Politicians Get Their Start Locally

Dark graphics of hands placing their ballots in the box with the American flag as a backdrop.
Image Credit: Andy.LIU via Shutterstock.com.

Most awful politicians and judges around the country got their start in local politics. Stop them before they build momentum and become even more severe threats to our democracy. 

Small Elections Matter

Four women voting with an American flag as a backdrop.
Photo Credit: vesperstock via Shutterstock.com.

You might not realize it, but these small elections have massive impacts on every aspect of your life. From the roads you drive to the schools where you send your children to the taxes you pay on groceries, local elections matter. 

Let your voice be heard.

America is Becoming Dystopian

Panaoramic of a city with the top mirroring the bottom in a fantastical manner.
Photo Credit: akimov konstantin via Shutterstock.com.

Although there are many fantastic things about living in the US, some of our systems and laws leave many scratching their heads, wondering if we’re already living in a dystopian nightmare. 

Here’s the evidence that makes us wonder if America is actually a dystopia.  Only voting can change it. 
 

Yes, There is a Real Poverty Trap in America

hands holding an empty wallet to represent poverty
Photo credit: StanislauV via Shutterstock.com.

We often think of third world countries when we talk about poverty, but it’s thriving right here in the US.

Here’s the truth about America’s Poverty Trap.

America’s Toxic Work Culture Must Change

Stressed looking businessman surrounded by mountains of paperwork.
Photo Credit: Stokkete via Shutterstock.com.

Our work culture prevents us from leading happy lives. Here’s the problems with American work culture and ways to address them

Generational Poverty

A woman on the street in Portland holds up a sign saying she's a single mom and needs help.
Photo Credit: Victoria Ditkovsky via Shutterstock.com.

Poverty is a generational problem. Here’s how folks get trapped in cycles of generational poverty

Things America Could Learn from Western Neighbors

two girls holding up the American flag behind them.
Photo Credit: Red Fox studio via Shutterstock.com.

Is America the greatest country in the world? If it is, why don’t we enjoy the same perks other Western nations do?

Here are great examples of beneficial programs other countries have we wish America would copy