When are you running for office?

Few college students vote in presidential elections and even fewer vote in local elections. What ever happened to the motto: Think globally, act locally?

Local politicians affect us all in ways that the federal politicians can’t, they are easier to be in contact with, and their work applies to more of our everyday problems.

Common arguments for not being involved in politics are: a single vote doesn’t make a difference, the candidate I want to win doesn’t have a chance, all the candidates are probably crooked, or my state always goes to the Democrats/Republicans (whichever party your candidate isn’t).

These problems are all lessened if not eliminated on the local level. You often get a form letter back from the president if you write to him, but if you can’t get in touch with your town mayor, look up his number in your phonebook and give him a ring.

Your candidate almost always has a chance, too. Talking to a dozen people who talk to another dozen people can swing a vote.

For the same reason, it doesn’t matter if you live in a state that gives its electoral votes to the other party’s presidential candidate every four years; the local level can be different.

Most importantly, you can know the candidates personally. You may have known them for years or at least know someone who does. You don’t have to wonder about the façade that they put up for the television cameras.

All this is to say that a single voter feeling unimportant is normal, but not necessary. A disgruntled Michael Moore was elected school board chairman while still in high school by getting a bunch of his friends to vote for him, while the adults split the rest of the votes in their outrage at the thought of an eighteen-year-old school board chairman.

Think globally, act locally. It’s too late for you to vote this year, but maybe next year you should be running or voting for someone you see sometimes at Wendy’s. There’s something nice about knowing you’re voting for a person who likes Frosties.