There is so much happening in the world today and many issues to pay attention to all at the same time. It can feel overwhelming. As with many things, I have found the key to dealing with overwhelm is constraint. We can’t do something about everything, but we can make an effort for one thing. Whether you choose just one issue to fight for, one candidate to campaign for, or one organization to support, it will make a difference. For the AZ NOW PAC committee, our constraint is to focus our efforts on local Arizona candidates.
Why local elections? Most people who pay attention to the news in any capacity know who the two presidential candidates are, who is running for U.S. Senate, and sometimes even who the U.S. Congressional candidates are. But the majority of people we speak to do not know who their AZ representatives and AZ senator are, or even which AZ legislative district they are in, let alone who their county Board of Supervisor or City Councilperson is. So the greatest opportunity for education and awareness exists in this space.
It is our local elected officials who have some of the biggest impact on our daily lives – including the strength of our schools, local taxes, local statutes, public health measures, maintenance of roads, etc. If you notice a fire hazard from dried brush or a leak in the street – it is the city government that you contact. Notice a mosquito swarm, contact the county government. The school boards set educational policy. The state legislature decides when fireworks can be set off and if AZ women can make choices about their own bodies.
But even more than that, our local officials are often highly accessible and responsive – by email or phone. They are out and about at community events. We interacted with more than five of our endorsed candidates at the local Fried festival we tabled at. In both 2020 and 2022, I was proud that I had personally met every person whose campaign sign I had in my yard. If you have a personal story, it is your local official who is most likely to listen and take action. Such interactions can often lead to immediate action – with introduced bills or increased awareness brought to the issue. And once other states see a policy working in Arizona, they often follow suit.
Not everyone has the interest or capacity to educate themselves on who is running for office, watch debates, go out to meet and greets, or discover the importance of local issues. This is where relational organizing comes in. Again, relational organizing is a euphemism for talking to friends about politics and local issues. It is the ultimate in grassroots organizing because it asks people to leverage their pre-existing relationships to mobilize support for a cause or campaign.
The key to relational organizing is that people trust the people in their inner circle. Also, the regular interactions of friendships provide more time to build a foundation. Start small by mentioning the interesting event you attended or the fiery debate you watched. Your friends will soon recognize you as an expert on local politics. As we get closer to elections (or after ballots drop), you will be highly likely to the be the person your friends reach out to for information and advice on the various races.
And once the foundation is laid, it becomes easier to follow up – by encouraging people to vote or to watch a local debate or attend an event with you. If someone seems interested, perhaps invite them to meet a candidate in their district / local area or attend one of our upcoming educational events. While it’s always nice if friends agree with you, that should not be the goal here – the primary goal is awareness – helping people understand the importance of voting in local elections, who the candidates are, and what the relevant local issues are. And then allowing people to have their own preferences and trusting people to vote with their values.
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