Let’s be honest – when election season rolls around, the presidential race gets all the attention. The debates, the ads and the constant media coverage. It’s like the Super Bowl of politics and everyone’s watching. But here’s the thing… while you’re focused on who’s going to sit in the Oval Office, decisions that directly impact your daily life are being made much closer to home.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. As someone who’s deeply invested in our community, I’ve seen firsthand how local elections shape the places we live in ways that often go unnoticed.

When I drop my kids off at school in the morning, I’m directly experiencing the results of local elections. That school building? The curriculum being taught? The teachers who work there? All influenced by decisions made by locally elected officials. The same goes for the roads I drive on, the parks where my family play and even the water coming out of my tap.

Local officials determine how our tax dollars are spent, which community programs receive funding and how our neighborhoods develop over time. These aren’t abstract policies – they’re tangible changes you can see and feel.

Here’s something I find incredibly empowering… your individual vote carries significantly more weight in local elections than in national ones. In presidential elections, you’re one voice among millions. But in a local city council or school committee race? Your vote might be one of just a few thousand – or even a few hundred – that determine the outcome. (In the 2023 municipal election, 7,516 of 75,294 registered voters cast their ballots. That’s a 9.98% voter turnout rate.) 

Local elections frequently come down to incredibly slim margins. It’s not uncommon to see races decided by just a handful of votes. Imagine being one of the people who stayed home on election day, thinking their vote wouldn’t matter, only to learn the result was determined by fewer votes than people on your block. Each of those non-voters could have changed the outcome and, by extension, the direction of our community.

When we vote locally, we’re not just selecting candidates – we’re actively shaping our community’s values and priorities. Do we value green spaces and environmental protection? Do we prioritize economic development or historic preservation? Is public transportation a necessity or an afterthought? These aren’t decisions that should be made without your input.

As we navigate increasingly divided times on the national stage, our local communities offer opportunities for cooperation and tangible progress. At the local level, issues often transcend partisan politics. They’re about practical solutions to shared challenges – the quality of our schools, the safety of our neighborhoods and the health of our local economy.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 4th (and September 9th if a preliminary is needed) and commit to voting in our City Council and School Committee elections. These critical local contests will directly shape our schools, neighborhoods and community resources for years to come. Don’t wait to be reminded – be proactive! Make your specific voting plan today with time and polling location. Then become a voting champion in your circle – call three friends to ensure they’re voting too. Text your family members, bring it up at work and post reminders on social media. Our community needs every voice, especially yours. When we show up together at the polls for these local races, we gain the power to shape the place we call home and ensure our community’s future reflects our shared values and priorities.

Lowell needs your voice. Your vote matters more than you know.