(ConservativeJournal.org) – When the United States was founded in the late 1790s, the framers created a complex and multi-layered form of government. As a result, the US enjoys a highly decentralized system with separations of power between the federal, state, county, and local governments. Did you know that there are over 500,000 elected offices in the United States?
Each one is looking for a leader like you. Serving your community through a local elected office is one of the most challenging and rewarding things any citizen could do. Serving on your local city council, the board of supervisors, or assembly, is a great way to solve problems and improve the quality of life for those in your community. It’s also the most practical and non-partisan level of government.
So, why should you consider running for city council or other local offices?
You Know Your Community
Our communities need leaders who believe in making a difference. No one knows a community and its needs better than those who live in it. You may have ideas about how to improve the quality of life for your fellow residents — perhaps infrastructures like roads and sewage need to be addressed, or maybe there’s an issue with parks or lack of parks.
It could also be that previous leaders lost touch with the community and enacted ordinances or regulations that didn’t fit the community.
Whatever the issue, you likely know the things that are important to your fellow citizens.
Local Government Was Designed to Experiment New Ideas
For two centuries, local governments were incubators of new ideas or new ways of doing things. For example, regional police forces save money for residents by spreading the cost among other municipalities while also increasing public safety. Perhaps you have experiences that could make your local government more efficient and cost-productive while adding more value to the community.
Communities Need Choices
It’s not uncommon for candidates to run unopposed and serve in the same positions for decades. This is a disservice to the community and robs it of new ideas and innovations. The community needs more choices so that voters can decide who best represents their local interests.
There’s no doubt being a local elected official is challenging. However, ask anyone who previously served, and very few ever regret the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. Through serving others, lifelong relationships develop, even among those who may disagree with one another.
Look up your local government’s website to learn more about what city council members do on a daily basis and the choices they make that impact you. Consider attending public meetings and watch how your local government operates. Also, be sure to contact your local elections office to learn the process of how to run for office. They have staff available to walk you through the process.
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