Election Day: Democracy in Action

If most Americans were asked what the most important election is for them, they would probably respond by saying the presidential election. Many people do not even bother learning when the local elections are. The reality is local and state elections impact our lives on a far greater scale than the presidential election. 

On Nov. 5 at around 10 a.m., Cheryl Bailey, a Charlottesville local for the past 25 years, arrived at her polling place to cast her vote for positions like sheriff, local senators and local representatives. It was no surprise to Bailey that her polling place had no line.

“It’s disheartening, there will be a line from the door to the highway in November next year. People just don’t get why these elections are important,” said Bailey.

“People are so caught up in who they want or don’t want as president, meanwhile we have some slime balls here who want to run our town into the ground.” 

While Bailey acknowledges the bias in her statement, she believes the core message in it is still true. The local government has a lot fewer restrictions that they need to overcome to enact legislation that may not be in the community’s best interest. 

Forty five minutes away, in Brightwood, Virginia, there is a similar energy, or lack thereof, at the Brightwood Ruritan Club.

Debbie Peters has been one of the first ones in line to vote in every election since she moved to Madison County in 1974.

“I figure, if I don’t show up and vote, what right do I have to complain about what is going on in the community?” said Peters.

After she voted, Peters then served as a representative for local candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, Nick Freitas, handing out pens and cards with information about the candidate.

Although the turnout all over the 5th district of Virginia was fairly low, those who did show up expressed the passion they hold for their communities and hope to encourage all of us to take part in our guaranteed right to vote.