Health & Fitness
Local elections? Why bother, right?
As I talk to Waltham residents about why I’m running for city council, I hear many people say they don’t vote in local elections. They only head to the polls during those “big elections” for president or governor, because they believe they are more affected by the decisions made at a state or federal level than local. I couldn’t disagree more with that sentiment.
This November we have a local-only election and almost every seat is being challenged. There are seven challengers and five incumbents running for at-large council seats; five challengers and two incumbents are vying for School Committee and five of the nine wards have at least two candidates.
I’ve been following local politics since I moved to Waltham and I believe this is the largest field of candidates I’ve seen so far. This can only tell me one thing: many residents believe that change is needed in order for our city to continue moving forward.
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So going back to voters who only vote during “big elections” - let me tell you why I think voting in local elections can affect you more than a presidential election ever could.
Local elected officials make decisions large and small about your daily lives. They can decide whether your favorite coffee shop can come to Waltham or not. How late your favorite burger joint can stay open. They can also decide if your gym can stay open 24 hours a day and whether your wholesale retailer can sell propane gas to you at discounted prices. They can approve or question the school and city budgets. And, of course, they could decide if our local taxes go up or not.
Find out what's happening in Walthamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There are people out there who believe that their one vote will not matter. This is completely false. There have been many recent cases around the country in which local races have been decided by just a handful of votes.
I believe the reason for voting is not just about the candidate, the issues, or the fact that one single vote can make the difference. I believe that having the right to vote defines us as a democracy.
As Americans, we look down on dictatorships and we stimulate freedom all across the globe. We think of democracy as an ideal. Still, many people don’t truly act on their own belief in democracy. I recall studying for my citizenship exam and learning that democracy gives every citizen a way to be heard in our community and society. So if the previous statement is true and we believe in the power of democracy yet we don’t participate in our own democratic government. Then what are we?
We fight for free elections all over the world and support our troops to create that freedom we cherish. But we don’t participate in elections that take place in our own backyard? Do we really complain about the conditions of our lives but we don’t do anything about it?
Take for example, this past winter. The city did a terrible job with snow plowing. Residents were rightly furious and city council members showed how upset they were with our consolidated public works department. But did anything really change? Tell me what the city has done to get ready for next winter. Did we buy new equipment? Were any of the poorest-performing contractors fired or even put on warning? Is there a new system in place to assure that our streets will be properly cleared this coming winter? I have not heard of anything yet, have you?
It’s nearly impossible in the middle of a July heat wave to imagine those unplowed streets and sidewalks that kept you from getting to work, your kids from getting to school and slowed our first-responders. But this is exactly how your vote in local elections matters to your life.
I want to believe that we are a city in which each person can express their beliefs. And they will participate because it is their responsibility to apply their ideas to the issues that affect them and their community. So whether you vote for me or not, all I’m asking is for you to vote … because it matters.
I believe in a city where everyone gets involved and has their voice heard and their vote counted.
Carlos Vidal
Candidate for City Council
@carlos4waltham
Carlosforwaltham.com