By NYC Councilwoman Joann Ariola

With Election Day looming just a few short months ahead, there’s understandably a lot of conversation about who will serve as our next Commander-in-Chief. Especially in light of the tragedy last weekend and the near assassination of former President Trump, all eyes are very firmly glued to the race for the White House. Amidst all of this, however, we should remind ourselves of the old adage “all politics is local,” and keep a sharp focus on the elections of our state and Congressional lawmakers as well.

I urge everyone reading this to take some time and really get to know those who are on November’s ballot for the NYS Assembly, NYS Senate, and Congress in your neighborhood. Ask yourselves “How has this person voted/how will this person vote,” and ask how those votes have impacted, or would impact, you and your family. Do these people really have your interests and the interests of your community at heart, or are they just there to fill a seat? If you go to local civic meetings, take note of which politicians attend, which ones have representatives there to listen, and which ones skip them altogether. Consider their positions on crucial issues like bail reform or the migrant crisis, and ask who has actually shown up to fight against these things, and who only paid lip service to those fights. 

Elections have tremendous consequences, and the current state of our city is proof of that. Our services are swamped because of the billions we are spending to support a flood of asylum seekers living on the city’s dime, and our law enforcement officers continually find themselves handcuffed and unable to do their jobs because of bungled legislation from Albany.

These issues are the direct result of elections and were brought about because New Yorkers did not vote for those who have YOUR interests at heart. That’s why it is so very important that you personally do your homework before Election Day, and really read up on the candidates being presented to you. Make sure that their values actually align with your values, and don’t simply vote because you read a few tweets about someone and then made up your mind. Look beyond the tweets and the headlines. Look at voting records. Look at their community involvement. Ask yourself if this person would actually fight for you in Albany or in D.C., or if they are just there to pick up a check. 

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” Those words are just as true today as they were when he first wrote them back in 1789. So, I ask all of you to continue the legacy left to us by men like Jefferson, and please stay well informed this election. Do some deep dives into the candidates before you. Check and double-check your sources when you see anything posted online. Form your decisions about the candidates based on who will be best for you, your family, and your community. Become well-informed, and vote for a better future this November.

Link to article: https://www.rockawave.com/articles/official-point-of-view-264/