4-10-2026

​🏛️ Issue of the Week: Off-Year elections, The Power of Showing Up 

 

Summary

 

This week’s local elections for school boards and city government show just how powerful participation can be. In “off-year” elections — April, August, and even some November races — turnout is much lower than in presidential years. That means when people show up, they truly can shape the direction of their community.

 

These local races give us a real opportunity to make government work better — starting right here in our communities. It starts with being informed and showing up.

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Why off-year elections matter:

 

• Fewer voters = greater impact. When turnout is low, a small number of voices can shape the outcome.

• Low turnout creates risk—but participation restores balance. When fewer people vote, more extreme positions can take hold. But when communities show up, stay informed, and engage, outcomes better reflect common sense and shared priorities.

• Campaigns that re-engage voters matter. When we bring more people back into the process—especially those who’ve felt left out — we create real choices and stronger representation.

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Key District 33 Details

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For several years, District 33 hasn’t had a real choice at the ballot box. There has not been a Democratic candidate in a general election since 2018, and in 2024 there wasn’t a general election at all — only a Republican primary. That race was decided by just 458 votes.

 

That’s not a broad mandate — that’s low participation deciding representation.

 

Looking at turnout, the opportunity becomes even clearer. We have roughly 38,000 residents, but only about 26,000 are registered to vote. In presidential years, around 16,000 votes decide the outcome. In non-presidential years, it drops to under 11,000.

 

That gap matters.

 

Because it means if more people show up — if more people feel they have a real choice — we can fundamentally change who represents this district and how decisions are made.

 

We’re starting from the ground up, but we’re not starting alone. I’m new to running, and many of the people stepping up alongside me are new as well — but that’s part of the strength. It means people are engaging again, bringing fresh energy and a shared belief that District 33 deserves better representation and real options at the ballot box.​​ 

 

Conclusion

 

As fewer and fewer people engage civically, my community feels threatened. I chose to run because I don’t feel like I can sit on the sidelines anymore. I want to help stop the chaos. Most of the people stepping up in this campaign are new to this as well. We’re not career politicians — we’re neighbors who want a better path forward.

 

We need a government that is by the people and for the people to start working again. When you’re able, I hope you’ll join us and be part of the solution.