This blog post is by Craig Valdez, Associate Director, National Partnerships with Run for Something Civics, a Unite Against Book Bans partner.
One of the biggest issues facing our democracy isn’t polarization or partisanship – it’s apathy. Too many people feel removed from politics. Worse, they feel resigned to the fact that they can’t create change. It’s easy to feel that way – but it doesn’t have to be that way. The antidote to apathy is to get involved locally, and there are resources and organizations to help common-sense people do just that.
This month, Run for Something Civics, a non-partisan organization that promotes youth leadership and encourages young people to run for office, is hosting a national civic holiday on March 31 to encourage more people to get involved civically and increase representation at every level of the government. National Run for Office Day is a public demonstration that the most capable leaders are already serving their communities and deserve a seat at the table where decisions are made. By stepping up, you’ll not only improve your community and the lives of your neighbors, but you’ll also reject apathy. We must be bold, visible, and authentic without apology.
A Look At the Numbers: Many Races Go Uncontested
The truth is, local leaders create the policies that impact our day-to-day lives and communities the most. That includes the books that our children read in school and whether or not book bans are implemented. But these offices too often go unchallenged. Nearly 70% of races on the ballot in 2024 went unopposed or uncontested. The numbers are even more alarming when you zoom in: 91% of regional seats, 82% of county seats, 74% of local seats, and 61% of city seats were uncontested.
That’s why we need community-minded people to raise their hands to run for school board and improve public education — and you don’t have to do it alone. Organizations like Run for Something Civics can help, providing support and resources on everything from helping you learn about which office to run for, to how to build a campaign plan, to building a community-powered movement.
Don’t Wait For Change—Make It Happen
If you’re furious about what’s happening in our schools, exhausted from not seeing change, and ready to do something about it, it is your turn to lead. We don’t have to wait to build something better. Together, we can build a new future and reshape our democracy — one local office at a time.
Run for Something Civics offers an incredible range of free materials that can help you consider a run for local office. If you’ve already taken action to fight book bans by attending local school or library board meetings and are ready to take the next step, the resources below can help! Additional support is available at https://runforsomethingcivics.net/.
