This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Amna Faheem. Find her on Instagram at @amnaf.aheem. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Seldom do local politics receive the same love and affection from the media as presidential elections, despite their significance in America’s political system. The system is meant to ensure that people are able to elect the candidates who best represent their interests in all aspects of life. The way that politics work in America, on a grander scale, is that every four years, the most deserving individuals rise to be the primary candidates representing the Democratic and Representative parties. On election day, the nation goes to vote and decide the leader of the nation for the next four years based on the promises and stances they have on matters concerning the people- healthcare, international affairs, the economy, etc. However, people are not always aware of the weight local politics play in the political institution or they deem local elections as insignificant. This is far from the case.
What are Local Politics
Local politics are a weight-bearing pillar in the structure that is American politics. While presidential elections cover the American nation as a whole, they overwhelmingly concern themselves with federal decisions and legislation. Such decisions do not always reach and impact every state. For example, marijuana is legal under the state law of Pennsylvania, yet federally, it is not permissible and subjects those apprehended to fines and prison time. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs decision, abortion is no longer federally permitted. Individual states have the ability to decide their own principles regarding the medical operation, with some outlawing it completely and endangering their residents and putting their health in jeopardy. Getting involved in your local politics makes certain that your voice is heard by people who are in charge and can make a change.
It’s unfortunate that many Americans fail to see why local politics are important. Local politics are a compilation of governmental activities within a specific geographical perimeter. City elections, town halls, district representatives, and county hearings all constitute local politics. School board elections, municipal elections, judicial elections, council member elections, mayors, governors- they all fall under the umbrella of local politics. Local elections also happen quite often, giving the residents of the state opportunities to change who looks out for them more frequently and appoint someone who better aligns with their needs at any given time.
It could even be said that local politics and elections are more impactful on one’s life than national elections because of how close to home they are.
The officials selected in these elections then go on to represent the residents on small scales- school districts, city council- and larger scales- governors and mayors. These structures all work together to make sure the people’s best interest is attended to and fulfilled. To understand why local politics are important, one must learn the roles each major official plays.
Who Does What?
The governor is the highest political official in local politics, just under those in the national government. They are responsible for enforcing state laws on a smaller scale and looking over the executive branch on a state level. They create and change policies and state programs that are meant to benefit the residents, such as overseeing the budgets for the various government branches and appointing the heads of multiple sectors of the state. Governors also sign into power different legislations into state law. For example, in February, the governor of Pennsylvania passed legislation that recognizes February as ‘Black History Month.’ The governor is also responsible for appointing the judges in the city’s court circuits- if you favor someone specific, it’s best if you’re in tune with who is up on the ballot.
The mayor, directly below the governor, plays an important role in the city’s political climate, though it does have nearly the same amount of power as the governor. While the governor leads the state’s executive branch, the mayor is the head of said branch. The position supervises the day-to-day operations while the governor manages large-scale projects. As well, unlike the governor, the mayor only serves in a specific city or town. not the entirety of a state. Their responsibilities are, therefore, more specific to the town’s needs and implement the rules and legislations that are passed down from the governor.
The city council is another crucial piece of local politics. They operate within a very distinct region or city and focus heavily on numerous issues that arise within that region. Many different committees appear before the council concerning public safety, public health, traffic violations, the architecture of the city, and more. The main duties of the city council are to enact the laws passed into legislation and hear resolutions, look over city operations and public affairs, and plan and approve the budget for the city, allocating funds for different programs and committees. The council will often bring before them various councilmen and district officials to hear their cases and approve or deny the requested resolutions. City council meetings are open to the public and should be taken advantage of as much as possible. It is also of great importance to be aware of who your district representative is, as they will be the best option to solve any problems that arise in your neighborhood.
To know why local politics are important, you need to be involved in your community. Local politicians are the individuals who take care of the needs of the residents on a more intimate and personal scale. Local politics, arguably, have the highest ability to cause the most change in one’s community and lifestyle. While presidential elections are all-encompassing, the resolutions and choices made are often very broad. Local politics give the people a choice on who will directly represent them, their daily lives, their education, and often their healthcare options. Public safety, cleanliness in neighborhoods, and education all fall under the jurisdiction of the state and county. Such issues that occur on a smaller scale are always tended to by the city council or another branch of local government and are more likely to be resolved within one’s district. Reaching a solution is simpler by working with your local politicians.
Are you involved in your local government? Let us know in the comments below!
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