Everyone’s usually aware of the Presidential, US Senate, and maybe US House candidates that will be on the ballot. However, there’s also lots of other offices, proposals, State Constitutional Amendments, local property and/or sales tax changes, judges, and such that people tend to less informed on. These can have as much (if not more) of an effect on your day to day life as the big contests.
Democracy only works if you vote, and do so in at least a slightly informed manner. I’d encourage you to look at both sides and weigh the arguments, even if you think you’re sure you know which side you’re on already, especially on local elections. Both of the major parties are pretty big tent, and a local candidate who’s running as a Democrat or Republican might have wildly different views on a lot of issues than their more publicized national counterparts.
If you take a look at your ballot now (info on how to do that below), you’ll have some time to research the issues that are important to you, and where all the candidates stand. You can even make up a little cheat sheet for yourself on who you’re going to vote for. It’s totally allowed. I make one every time, and it really helps me to remember some of the more local candidates, or how to spell a write-in candidate’s name if that’s who seems most up to the job.
Take one night off from TV in the next week. Research your candidates. Look at the issues. Then vote.
Some links on how to find out who/what is on the ballot where you live:
- If you live in Hennepin County in Minnesota (Minneapolis and western suburbs), you can see your actual ballot here.
- If you live in Ramsey County in Minnesota (St Paul and eastern suburbs), you can see your ballot here.
- The rest of Minnesota can also find their info in a slightly less polished format on the Secretary of State’s website.
- For everyone else, search for “Secretary of State” and the name of your state, you should be able to quickly find the Secretary of State’s website where you live. They should have ballot and polling place info, though as always with the government, it may take some digging to find what you’re looking for.