Empowering local voices — the crucial role of down-ballot races this fall

The author says it's critical for people who care about equality to pay attention to down-ballot races in 2024. Photo credit: Getty Images/ iStock

The election is fast approaching. Early in-person voting commences in North Carolina in just over three months. In the coming weeks, campaign mail will flood our mailboxes and news channels will constantly remind us of the presidential election. But as the emails and text messages about the national election buzz on our phones and rightfully demand our attention, it’s imperative that North Carolina voters also remember what’s riding on races further down the ballot.

Take, for example, our state government – the legislature, the courts and the governor’s office. Right now, we are on what amounts to  ‘mile 24’ of a marathon run in which state elected officials who have long pursued an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda , could be on the verge of a victory that would allow them to cement in place a “slate of hate” – a destructive list of new state laws that includes, so far, HB 808, NC’s youth gender-affirming care ban, SB 49, our “Don’t Say Gay” bill and, HB 574 which bans trans athletes from playing in youth sports.

Or consider our state’s public education system. This fall, our state will elect a new Superintendent of Public Instruction as well as a number of county school board members. And in virtually all of these races, voters will be asked to decide whether they support candidates who champion tolerance, diversity, inclusion and the openminded pursuit of the truth, or those who want to turn back the clock to a time in which our schools ignored the needs of children and families that didn’t conform to traditional identities and models.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines, caring and thinking people must get in the middle of the action, and do it now. We can and must encourage and support forward-thinking candidates early to help them earn the kinds of media, press and popular attention that gets their messages out to voters.

Our students and teachers, first responders and workers, deserve to be prioritized. The same with our small business owners, especially Black and brown-owned businesses. We can’t support candidates that put their political ambition over the needs of the people. We must support candidates that want to keep trans kids safe, hold onto reproductive freedoms, support our immigrant communities, uphold our voting rights, and protect queer rights because we know they impact all communities.

The task may seem daunting, but the truth is that North Carolina is a closely divided purple state. And while turnout rates in presidential election years are higher than other election years, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen in November – especially with the state’s new voter ID requirements . But sitting on the sidelines is no answer.

If people get to work, if they pay attention to reputable news sources and stay informed, if they combat disinformation and misinformation at every opportunity, we can turn the tide toward justice. I urge everyone to act this year by carefully considering endorsements and getting involved to the extent that is practical for your household.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we so often place a singular focus on higher elected offices when we know our North Carolina values insist on strong and sensible local representation as well. Too often, campaign contributions do not find their way to local, progressive candidates in time to make a difference.

In this time of culture wars, we know that the next right-wing backlash could be right around the corner. But we also see the beauty of our community’s influence. We have to stick together at the grassroots to press the importance of local impact and historic issues from affordable housing to immigrant rights to queer rights.

In short, it may be a cliché, but it’s true that every vote counts — from the very top of the ticket to local levels of public authority. This year let’s empower our communities by supporting local candidates — whether it’s by knocking on doors, phone banking, attending meetings, and of course at the polls.

I know this fight is not easy and that at a time in which those who believe in progress are experiencing constant attacks, it’s tempting to look away or to simply try and drown out the noise.

But we cannot give in to this temptation.

I have absolute faith that we can win this fight – both for ourselves and own communities, and for all those who lack the capacity to speak safely and publicly for themselves.

In the words of the iconic labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, Si Se Puede!

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