I think voting is one of the most exciting things a person can do as a member of their community and country. The first time I voted, I’d been volunteering for the campaign of a Chester County Commissioner candidate for a few months before the election. I believed in what the candidate stood for and I knew that person would work hard to make our community a better place. On Election Day, I worked the polls all day for the candidate before I drove to my own polling location and voted. It was exciting to vote for a candidate I’d volunteered for and truly believed in. I was surprised by how something as simple as marking a paper could make me feel so powerful. Being able to have a voice and affect change in your community is an amazing feeling.

Working on local campaigns ignited my interest in politics and policy, but I’d encourage everyone to get involved in local politics, even if you have no interest in a political career. Local government shapes a great deal of our everyday lives. I’ve also found that it’s much less divisive than national politics can be. Getting involved in local politics is not only a great way to ensure that your voice is heard when it comes to community issues, but it’s also a great way to meet people who think differently than you do and exchange ideas and concerns in a civil, friendly manner. I was sent to several different polling locations when I volunteered on Election Day, and at each site I had the pleasure of meeting poll workers from the other side of the aisle, who discussed local issues with me. I was surprised to realize that we had more in common than I’d assumed we would, and they gave me some genuinely interesting points of view to consider about the things we disagreed on.

For people looking to get involved in local politics, I’d recommend researching if your party has a local chapter and contacting them about events and candidates. Once you start making those connections, you’ll be able to find all kinds of opportunities to volunteer for candidates and causes you believe in. For example, I found out about an event at my local library where staffers for presidential campaigns would be talking about their candidates through my school’s Young Democrats chapter, and while I was there I met the campaign manager for a candidate for state congress in my district whose campaign I’m now volunteering for. If your party doesn’t have a local chapter, look into staring your own! And if you’re not satisfied with any of the candidates who are running, maybe consider running yourself or encouraging someone who also cares about their community to run.

–Aleta Ross
Senior at Conestoga High School