Okay, hear me out: we all know the Presidential election is like the Super Bowl of politics. The debates, the memes, the “who’s gonna win” drama—it’s like House of Cards but with more tweeting and less ethics. But here’s the thing: while we’re all glued to our screens watching every second of the Presidential election (looking at you, 4 am Twitter updates), the real power is happening way closer to home.

Local politics—yes, your city council and school board—are the real MVPs that affect literally everything in your life. Like, you thought you were just living your best life sipping your Starbucks, but nope, it’s time to care about what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Local Elections Are like LEBRON

We get it, the President is important. But honestly, local elections are like the secret sauce of your daily existence. Imagine this: you’re trying to get to school and there’s no bus.

Why? Because the city council didn't fund public transportation properly. Or, that one subject you can’t stand? Yeah, that’s because your school board chose a really questionable textbook. But nobody talks about that at the Presidential debates, right? I mean, it’s like the Kardashians are drama-free compared to local government stuff.

Local elections are where the real action happens. They’re deciding if you get more green spaces or more parking lots (because, honestly, do we really need more parking spots?). Local governments impact everything from your school’s lunch menu (when’s pizza day tho?

) to how much your parents pay in taxes. If you’re not paying attention, you’re basically saying, “I’ll just let the chips fall where they may.” And trust me, that’s not a good strategy.

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TS Ain’t Just for Grown-Ups With Big Houses

So, you might be thinking, “Okay, Shriya, but I’m just a teenager. This is for people who have houses with more than one bathroom.” WRONG. Local politics are for everyone, and that includes you.

Whether you have a house with a pool (lucky) or you’re still waiting for your parents to finally fix the leaky roof, these elections matter. City councils and school boards are making decisions about your life, whether you like it or not.

If you’re tired of those sad, soggy school lunches, local politics is the place to start. You want a skatepark or a better Wi-Fi connection at school? Yup, that’s local politics too.

Plus, you can be that person who knows everything about the next mayoral candidate and flex at your next Zoom class. You’ll be the cool kid who knows that the mayor is lowkey trying to make the city more walkable.

Stop Scrolling, Start Researching

Alright, so you’re convinced, but now you’re like, “But how do I even do this?” I’ll tell you: It’s easier than figuring out the latest TikTok dance. First, stop scrolling, and get to work. Local politics is your chance to make a difference—yes, even while you’re in your pajamas watching Netflix.

It’s time to put down the phone and do some research on who’s running for city council, school board, and those other positions no one talks about. Trust me, once you know what’s at stake, you’ll be way more interested than the latest viral meme.

And hey, your vote actually matters in local elections! Unlike the Presidential election where your vote might feel like just another drop in the ocean, every vote counts on a local level. So stop saying, “I’m too young to vote!” and get educated. Your school lunches, your community’s parks, and the fact that your streets don’t look like a warzone all depend on these elections.

Get Involved, or Just Keep Complaining

Imagine being the person who just complains about everything but doesn’t do anything to change it. Don’t be that person.You can’t be sitting in your room saying, “Ugh, our city needs better policies,” if you don’t show up when it matters.

Local politics is like the ultimate hack: the more involved you are, the more you can change things. If you think your neighborhood should have better public transportation, dare I say—become a part of the conversation.

It’s not just about voting, either. You can volunteer, attend local meetings, and just, you know, pay attention. Get involved before the city council decides to put in another speed bump that no one asked for.

Become the person who knows exactly when the next election is and how it impacts you. Be the person your friends text to get the lowdown on local government—like, they’ll be shook at how much you know.

Local Politics Are the Power Move You Need to Care About

The bottom line is, local politics are way more important than you think. They’re deciding the issues that impact your daily life, from school policies to what’s happening in your community. The next time someone starts talking about the latest Presidential election, you can say, “Yeah, that’s cool, but do you know who’s running for school board? Because that’s going to affect my life way more than who’s in the White House.”

So, let’s stop pretending local elections don’t matter. Get informed, get involved, and remember—your community is waiting for you to step up. And hey, it’s way cooler to know about local politics than to spend all your time binge-watching reality TV (but no judgment if that’s your thing too).