Well, Bush versus Kerry is one thing. But even in a democratic state like NY, a republican or two can still win, here and there. Local politics is a different breed of animal from national, even in the states you think might mirror the nation as a whole.
In New York, for example, a vote for a minor party is not wasted, it helps keep them on the ballot for next year. And, with the ability for a man to run for multiple parties at once, sometimes it’s not even thrown away. Though it is sometimes a bit odd to see a Democrat on the Right-To-Life ticket.
Are there good races out there, locally? How do you know, generally, what your local politicians are up to? What’s the story besides the Big Two? What odd quirks do local politics… or voting laws… make, in the 50 states plus DC?
I use sites such as C-span and politics1. I also watch some local news, the Ohio News Network, and sometimes read the print version of the Columbus Dispatch. I consider myself to be reasonably well informed on local politics.
Some races at the local level are so lopsided, that they don’t require much effort. I’m in Deborah Pryce’s district and I know she will win reelection easily against local maverick Mark Brown. I also know that George Voinovitch will win easily over Fingerhut.
For minor city offices, I usually vote the party. However, I’ll google their names just to make sure none of them hold outlandish positions or have a suspect past. I might glance at the endorsements from the Columbus Dispatch as well.
For local initiatives, I usually read the two Clintonville papers. I already know how I stand on the smoking ban, but I haven’t decided on the school bond issue.
By going to the local government meetings. Additionally, one can read the newspaper; however, that requires a great big caveat emptor, good buddy, because the quality of local reporting is not something I’d bank on.
That is the problem. Going places. Getting involved more. Of course, that supposes one knows where to go. Or what to look for, I suppose. And from my knowlege of the local aldermen, nothing interesting ever hits the local papers. Not the real information, anyhow. Is there a site like politics1 for the other states in the country? Someone’s got to be watching.
Um, In my hometown, they broadcast city council meetings on a local TV station. I watch part of them occasionally, but not enough to get a read on individuals. I don’t know county stuff is televised.
I’ve never heard of any sort of central clearing house. There may be some that are organized by subject. For example, I once saw a web site that gave farm subsidies given out for any locality in the States.
If you want to get involved locally, you can obtain copies of meeting minutes and agendas; but, AFAIK, you’ll have to do a lot of leg-work yourself.