Local Choices, Informed Voices
What the Upcoming Local Elections Mean for You
Over 200,000 deaths. Jobs and businesses lost. Persistent racial injustices.
For the sake of our country and especially for Black and Brown people and low income communities, the upcoming election is high stakes and could very well mean freedom or captivity and life or death. In the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis, economic devastation, ongoing racial injustice.
More than ever, it is vital that we all not only vote, and vote for national offices, like President, but also in our local elections. Local elected officials determine things like: how much funding is available for neighborhoods, how much funding is available for schools, if there are grocery stores, parks, etc., how the police are trained and if they are held accountable for their actions. To support these efforts, the Institute for Sustainable Communities has developed Local Choices, Informed Voices: What the Upcoming Local Elections Mean for You resource.
We hope this resource supports voters in their understanding of the decision-making power of local elected officials and how these powers impact the things they care about, including for the election on November 3, impact definitions for elected offices in local jurisdictions which can support voters in making more informed decisions. You can use this suite of materials to reach your community members through social media/printable handouts including printable fliers, sample email language, sample social media posts.
Distribution Suggestions
Here are a few suggestions to support your sharing of the Local Choices, Informed Voices voter education materials with everyone you know!
- Share at least one social media post a week directing people to sustain.org/informedvoter webpage where they can download materials, view sample ballots, and learn the role key positions up for election in November play in shaping outcomes for communities of color.
- Encourage others to share the materials online using #informedvoter!
- Highlight a few impact definitions each week based on positions up for election in your area. Click here to download a sample ballot and learn what positions are on the ballot where you live.
- Encourage people to request their mail-in ballots! Click here to see deadlines by state and ensure people in your region make their requests early!
- Share fliers in person; if you’re comfortable and take proper safety precautions, you can print and share the fliers in your community. This might be especially beneficial to older adults and people with disabilities.
- Send an email to your network and attach printable images informing them of how they can further share and get the word out.
Sample Social Media Posts
The following are preformatted, ready to share sample social media posts for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to support your sharing of these resources across your network. Please tweak them however you see fit, but be sure to use #informedvoter when sharing!
Twitter (280 characters max)
#informedvoter
- Election day is almost here! Request your ballot now, so your vote can be counted. Learn more: sustain.org/informedvoter
- Do the folks running for office support things you care about? Learn more about your local elections here: https://www.vote.org/ballot-information/
- Request your mail-in ballot now! Click the link to see your states voting rules and learn more about which positions are up for election: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/
- Your vote in your local elections is critical! Local elections is how decisions are made about your community! See which positions are on your ballot + how they affect you! sustain.org/informedvoter
- Whether your neighborhood is run-down or super nice, depends on who’s in elected office. Your vote in Local Elections matters! See which positions are up for election and learn more here: sustain.org/informedvoter
- Spread the word! Your vote in local elections matters!! Find info on key positions on the ballot this Nov and share with your family and friends! sustain.org/informedvoter
- X weeks/days until election day–see who’s on the ballot in your area. Download a sample ballot and see which positions you should be informed about: sustain.org/informedvoter
- It’s not too late to make your voice heard! In-person voting takes place TOMORROW! Find your local polling place here: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/
- Whether your neighborhood is run-down or super nice, depends on who’s in elected office. Vote to ensure those in office are folks that care about you and your community. Learn more about the local elected positions and the impacts they can have on your life and the lives of those you love here:: sustain.org/informedvoter #informedvoter
- Which positions are up for election in your area and what impact could they have on your future and your children’s future? Who is in office in your local area is just as important as who is in the white house! View a sample ballot for your community and learn more about the power of these positions here: sustain.org/informedvoter #informedvoter
- COVID, racism, and job loss, who we vote matters as to t how the future unfolds. Vote, either in person or bymail-in ballot BEFORE the DEADLINE. Find the deadlines in your area, which positions are up for election, and the power these positions have here: sustain.org/informedvoter #informedvoter
- You can influence the power elected leaders have over you!. Be sure you’re registered to vote, have requested your mail-in ballot, and that you share this information with a friend! Our lives depend on it. #informedvoter
Make link in bio sustain.org/informedvoter
- You can influence the power elected leaders have over you! Be sure you’re registered to vote, have requested your mail-in ballot, and that you share this information with a friend! Our lives depend on it. Link in bio for more. #informedvoter
- Cluster 1: Attorney General, States Attorney, Sheriff
- Cluster 2: Secretary of State, Clerk, Clerk of Courts, Treasurer, Assessor
- Cluster 3: Mayor, Governor, Reps and Senators, Board of Education, City Council, County Commissioner
- We can make change happen when we control who is in elected office! These key local positions are up for election. See the impact they can have and be sure you vote! Link in bio for more info. #informedvoter
- Judges are on the ballot in many communities. Judges have a lot of power. You can make sure they are fair! Here’s just one example of what it could look like. SO much more at the link in bio, so be sure to check it out! #informedvoter
- Judge images 1 & 2
