When looking at the news, everything surrounding the presidential elections is written about: the large elections, the legal decisions made by the Supreme Court, and the voting done by Congress and the House. On the national level, it can be difficult to make a difference in the world. For people in a very large democracy, it can be hard to see your vote and participation have a real effect, but local governments give an excellent opportunity to allow voters and students to make a difference in the world.
As a student, it can be hard to see where and how you can change and influence what happens in the community, especially before gaining the ability to vote. As students and citizens, it is one of our most important responsibilities to make a better experience for our society and its future. Participating and advocating for changes in city government provides students with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the world and build local communities, all while making the experience better for students in the future.
City governments, while not as well known, serve a very important purpose. Not only do they manage city land, run services like fire, police, and street maintenance, but they also make broader policies and decisions that can have real effects on the people. Local governments also allocate funding, including money that is spent to make buildings and improve local areas and parks.
Even as non-voters, students have the ability to participate in local government. Simply attending local city council meetings and either observing or just giving your perspective during the time allocated can go a long way in influencing decisions. Even just reviewing the monthly agenda, and considering if any of the topics are relevant to you can make a difference.
Students also have the ability to propose new ideas, and organized proposals have a high likelihood of being seriously considered by the city council. In 2023, Petaluma teens organized and were actively involved in the creation of a new skatepark. The skatepark, which will likely not be completed until 2025 or later, shows that teens have the ability to make a difference. Even if you’re not old enough to vote, the city governments offer the ability to make a change in the world.
Organizing students to propose new projects and policies does not have to be independently done; many schools have direct links to the city government. Organizing through schools makes it easier for students to find common issues and propose new ideas that would benefit more students. For example, students could achieve a better walking path or a new community building made for students. Most city governments are happy to have correspondence with local student leadership, and to give them the opportunity to present their ideas.
While every city is different, many cities will have city council and mayoral elections this November. These, depending on the city, will have a large effect on the impacts made. The city council makes the final decision on any proposal to policy. Most cities are broken up into districts, each of which elects a representative to the city council. Districts are broken up by area, with each district containing a roughly equal population. This year, Santa Rosa will be having district elections for districts one, three, five, and seven; Petaluma for districts four, five, and six; and Rohnert Park for districts one, two, and four. However, some districts are unchallenged, and will not be on the local ballot.
Being able to vote also includes the ability to vote on state propositions and state constitutional amendments. In California, people who are 16 and older are able to pre-register online or in person, so that when they turn 18, they will be able to vote automatically. Pre-registering is an easy way to make sure that you are able to participate in local, state, and national elections that doesn’t take that much time. There will always be turmoil and uncertainty in the presidential elections because they matter, but local elections matter too, and they can have a bigger impact on your life than you realize.
