KIDS & TEENS

Activism and voting are not the only ways to create change. Especially at the local level, every voice matters. By getting involved at the town level now, you’ll learn ways to shape your community no matter where you end up living after you graduate. Here are some ways to get started:

Attend a Town Council, School Board, or Committee Meeting

There’s hardly anything in your life that your local government doesn’t have some influence over. The easiest way to know exactly what your local government does and who is a part of it? Attend their meetings.

— She Should Run

On the town website, you can find the meeting calendar, published agendas, and remote participation links. Whether the meeting’s topic is schools, affordable housing, or climate change, your presence and participation can make a difference in how elected officials vote.

Write to Your Elected Officials and Committees

You may hear a lot of people say to contact your representatives at the state or federal level, but local officials and committees want to hear from you, too. If you know an important vote is coming but are unable to make your public comment in person, you can send in your thoughts before the meeting takes place.

Write Letters to the Editor

The Cape Courier is an independent, not-for-profit newspaper that is a vital part of our community. Before writing, be sure to review their editorial policy and publication schedule. For a wider audience, you can also submit your letter to the Portland Press Herald. Both the Cape Courier and Press Herald require that letters be 250 words or less.

Volunteer for a Local Candidate’s Campaign

Found a candidate you believe in? Reach out to them to see if you can help with their campaign! Candidates typically need people to distribute their campaign information, endorsements via letters to the editor, and help with fundraising. The benefit of working on a local campaign is that you’ll have an opportunity to get to know the candidate more personally and have a better view of what a campaign looks like than if you volunteer for a higher profile race.

Encourage Eligible Voters to Vote

Help inform people who are able to vote about the candidates and issues on the ballot. When it comes to local elections, many adults aren’t sure who to vote for, so they only vote for a name they recognize (and sometimes no one at all). In a town as small as ours, every vote counts. Consider that in the 2023 municipal election, the difference between winning a seat on the town council and losing it was 127 votes. Meanwhile, over 20% of voters left this category partially or completely blank.