Last November, 92,476 Carroll County residents cast ballots in the presidential election. In the 2014 gubernatorial election, 54,682 Carroll residents voted. But in 2015, just 2,642 voted in eight municipal elections across the county.
About one-third, or more than 52,000 of the county's roughly 167,500 residents, live within the municipal limits of Carroll's eight towns and cities. And yet only about 5 percent of them across those eight communities cast ballots in their local elections two years ago.
Less than 800 people voted in the most recent Westminster Common Council election, out of more than 18,000 total residents and about 10,000 registered voters in the county's most populous municipality. Fewer than 250 ballots were cast in Hampstead (242), Sykesville (164), Mount Airy (129), New Windsor (95) and Union Bridge (33).
For most of us, decisions made by President Donald Trump in Washington or Gov. Larry Hogan in Annapolis will have little to no bearing on our day-to-day lives. Meanwhile, municipal councils will be setting our water rates, paving (or not) our neighborhood streets, deciding whether we need more police officers to enforce speed limits near our homes and whether to approve new development in our communities, just to name a few duties.
Still, turnout traditionally favors races for bigger, supposedly more powerful offices where your vote — while certainly still important — carries far less weight than it does in local, municipal elections.
But the problem isn't just voter turnout in town elections; that low turnout is often the result of a narrow candidate pool. In some cases, town elections are uncontested because not enough people decide to run.
If you've ever wanted to be an agent for change in your community, or just a stalwart of good government, municipal elections are a chance to do just that.
The nomination process differs from each town or city. In Sykesville, for example, you must receive a nomination and a second at the March 27 mayor and Town Council meeting. Elsewhere, it can be as simple as going to town hall and filling out a nomination form by the deadline.
That's not to say being a member of a town council is an easy job. It isn't. In fact, most elected officials will tell you there is far more to the gig than they expected. You'll have to wrap your head around myriad topics ranging from budgets to trash removal, wastewater management, and parks and recreation. And you might get an earful at the supermarket or your favorite restaurant if a constituent disagrees with a decision you made. And the salary? Let's just say most small town politicians don't do it for the paycheck.
But it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Actual elections won't take place until May, but deadlines to file and register are coming up in the next few weeks. Whether you choose to run for office or just make a point to learn about the candidates and vote, get involved in the municipal election process this year in your town. Participating one way or another will afford you a far greater voice in decisions that affect your daily life.
