About Us

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 Ballot Local is a 501c4 organized to aid in the structural support of our shared democratic republic here in the United States. Local is an acronym for the areas of policy and education we think are underserved in the discussions around the overall health of the Union.

Local Elections

Open Primaries

Civic Engagement

Advocacy

Law 

Local Elections

We have seen record (and near record) turnout in Presidential Elections the last 2 cycles, that has been driven more by opposition to candidates…on both sides. However, in a federal system we have seen lower turnouts, especially as one looks at returns lower down the ballot.

Municipal elections, where decisions about roads being paved, EMS, police & fire, stormwater, parks & greenspace…those things that have a direct impact on the quality of life average only 15% turnout.

School Board Members are the most ubiquitous elected position in the nation, who generally have the biggest impact on local taxes and the education of our children see only 5% turnout.

If more voters participated at all levels, they could feel more engaged and have real impacts on policy in their own communities. That will lead to more acceptance of outcomes of elections overall at all levels.

Open Primaries

The Open Primary leads to the need for broader appeal to voters who choose to engage and provides a structural route to bring more voters into the process earlier, with more impact. As voters move to identify (or register) in some states as independents, a closed primary system leads to messaging to a smaller and smaller group that will be the most motivated by the loudest voices with narrow, but highly intense constituencies. 

Open primaries encourage more participation with a greater variety of ideas. It also allows new voices earlier in the process of selecting candidates. With current districts around America being drawn solidly for one party or another, often the decision of representation is only made in the primary and open primaries can protect the franchise for all voters in a district.

Civic Engagement

When Alexis de Tocqueville wrote Democracy in America he commented on the “art of associating” in our young nation. Citizens and neighbors freely came together to address issues of a civic, social, religious, or even commercial nature. That coming together was unique to America as compared to the Europeans.

It now is more of a lost art. While there are still many organizations, there are fewer of them with a smaller percentage of Americans participating in them. Civic engagement should be taught to all Americans. Encouraging Americans in all walks of life to band together to achieve positive results for their community is a necessity for a healthy Republic.

Advocacy

A corollary to Civic Engagement is advocacy. Nowadays, many watch the news and complain, but then don’t turn that complaint into action. Most citizens do not even know how to let their elected representatives whether they agree or disagree with a policy or position. In an age of fast access and communication this is a wasted opportunity. 

Teaching a citizen to make their voice heard, can and will enhance their own feelings about democracy. A well written letter (not an email) can have more impact that 20 spam emails to an elected official. A well-reasoned, impassioned presentation to a school board or city council can have impact that 50 X posts. 

Law

In many ways, we have seen leaders (and members) of both parties slowly but surely undermining the faith in the Rule of Law. As John Adams famously stated, ours is “an Empire of laws, not of Men”. 

The importance of the role of the Legislature, at both the Federal and State level needs to be emphasized. Arbitrary executive power, must be reined in by the legislature and as a last line of defense, the judiciary. Instilling in all Americans a reverence for our laws and institutions is vital to all our Republic to be sustained moving forward.