Statewide and local elections directly impact our daily lives in more ways than you might think. From laws we must obey, to the amount of funding our schools receive, and even our election procedures and rules, these elections influence our community just as much as, if not more than, our national elections.
Even with so much at stake, voter turnout in statewide and local elections is notoriously low. One major reason why: voters feel that they either don’t have enough time or information to make an informed decision.
According to a study by the National Civic League, “lower turnout is frequently a result of a lack of awareness of the candidates and issues.”
We’ve experienced this ourselves. For example, chances are that you can name the candidates from recent national elections, along with a few policies they stood for. Yet many of us struggle to do the same for our local candidates.
This is not because we are lazy, but because state and local information can be difficult to come by. That is why Sandy Springs Together has created a voter guide for the upcoming election.
Even for those of us who have voted before, the process can be confusing. Election rules can change between elections or might be different if you have just moved to the state.
The Voter Guide includes information about voting rights, instructions for registering and voting, links to candidates’ websites and more information you can use to help make an informed decision this November.
Evidence suggests that providing voters easy access to information about voting and candidates can lead to more qualified and accountable candidates being elected. No matter where we live, what we look like, or how much money we make, our voices are equal at the ballot box. So, let’s get ready to #VoteTogether!
