Local causes are the bedrock of societal progress. They are where people have the power to create real, lasting change in their own backyards. But no matter how pressing the issue or passionate the individuals involved, success requires organizing.

When people fail to vote in these crucial races, the consequences can ripple through communities, affecting everything from public policy to the quality of daily life.

The consequences of this dynamic are profound. When misinformation dominates the discourse, it erodes trust in public institutions such as schools, libraries, and local governments.

Many city councils operate under a non-partisan framework, designed to prioritize problem-solving over political ideology. However, when extremist policies infiltrate these institutions, they undermine their ability to function effectively, disrupt community cohesion, and shift the focus from practical solutions to ideological battles.

In recent years, extreme-right candidates have increasingly pushed an agenda that undermines public education, seeking to defund schools, promote privatization, and prioritize ideological battles over student success.

The extreme-right’s weaponization of the term “woke” is a dangerous and divisive tactic that undermines the effectiveness of local governance. By focusing on manufactured cultural grievances, these candidates distract from real issues, erode public trust, and polarize communities.

When it comes to local government, many people are surprised to learn that most seats are non-partisan. This means that candidates for positions like city council, school board, or mayor don’t officially run under a specific political party.