Title: 3 Ways to Get Involved in Local Government - She Should Run
Headings: 3 Ways to Get Involved in Local Government
3 Ways to Get Involved in Local Government
Attend (Or Virtually Attend) a City Council Meeting
Join a Board or Commission
Volunteer for A Local Candidate’s Campaign

Content: 3 Ways to Get Involved in Local Government - She Should Run
Blog > Local Office 101
3 Ways to Get Involved in Local Government
June 2, 2020 | Kathleen Kiernan
Our country is at a turning point and as more and more people demand justice for Black men and women, you may be wondering how you can get involved and make a difference. One key way is to get involved in your local government. Did you know that there are over 500,000 elected offices in the United States and that most of them sit within 89,000 local governments? Local governments run our city utilities, libraries, fire departments, public swimming pools, parks, local law enforcement, and schools, just to name a few. Local government consists of city councilmembers, mayors, county commissioners, sheriffs, and school boards. In his article, “How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change,” former President Barack Obama highlights, “It’s mayors and county executives that appoint most police chiefs and negotiate collective bargaining agreements with police unions. It’s district attorneys and state’s attorneys that decide whether or not to investigate and ultimately charge those involved in police misconduct. Those are all elected positions. In some places, police review boards with the power to monitor police conduct are elected as well.” Local government touches every aspect of your life and affects how well you and your fellow community members can thrive in society.