Some people feel like their vote doesn’t matter because of the electoral college system. 

While political scientists and others have debated both sides of this argument, it’s important to remember that voting is one of the most significant rights we have as U.S. citizens.

Even if you’re unsure about the impact of your vote in a national election, this argument simply doesn’t hold up when it comes to local elections. In local races, every vote counts. In Oxford, there have been seats on the Board of Aldermen decided by as few as five votes. Local elections are often very close. While the margin might not always be by five votes, many races are decided by fewer than 100 votes.

Your local officials—Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Lafayette County Supervisors, sheriff, justice court judges, and more—impact your daily life much more directly than the president or other national leaders. 

These are the people who determine your taxes, decide which roads get paved, control the development in your neighborhood and even decide where to put roundabouts. They also oversee your sheriff’s department, and your tax assessor’s office, and set bail for those arrested in the community.

On Nov. 5, local candidates will be on the ballot, including for positions like Justice Court Judge, Election Commissioners, and Lafayette County School Board members.

Whether or not you’ve made up your mind about the presidential race, don’t let that stop you from voting in the local elections. The Oxford Eagle will publish profiles on local candidates in the October 30 issue, so take the time to get to know them. These candidates are your neighbors, and we wish them all the best of luck come November.