Skipping Local Elections a Civic Sin

All right, time for a civic heart-to-heart: How many of us have overlooked a local election, deeming it less significant or — dare I say — not worth our time?

Don’t hide, most of us have been there.

The truth is, it’s easy to underestimate the roles of a city council member, school board member or town commissioner.

These positions might not have the allure of other high-profile offices, but they play a deeply influential role in our democratic process.

Ponder this: Can you name even one of your local representatives or school board members? If the answer is no you are far from alone, but that doesn’t make it any less problematic.

Skipping these local elections is to our own detriment. The decisions made in these low-turnout spectacles reverberate through our daily lives, shaping our communities, schools and public services.

Ignoring them can unleash disastrous consequences or elevate unworthy individuals to influential positions, compromising public service.

Allow me to share a warning tale from my hometown, a lesson in how local governance can sometimes go awry: Meet the Danville, Ill., District 118 School Board.

Indeed, their last election was far from a model of democratic precision.

A seat, vacated early with two years left on its term, was omitted from the ballot, a misstep that would lead to a series of questionable and what many would consider self-serving decisions.

With the outgoing board still in power, a decision was made to appoint Tyson Parks, who, interestingly enough, secured the least number of votes in the last election to fill the vacancy. And keep in mind, that’s with six candidates in the race!

Parks, a local church official, even had the unique privilege to vote on whether he should remain in the “uncontested” seat — a true paradox of democracy in action.

In voting to keep himself on the board, Parks seems to be interpreting the proverb, “The last shall be first” in a very literal sense.

However, a tip of the hat is in order for Kimberly Corley, Alice Payne and Darlene Halloran — names that may mean nothing to most readers but signify integrity and commitment to those who witnessed their steadfast stand against maintaining Parks on the board.

Even more regrettable, these actions unfolded in a district where academic proficiency is lagging, to say the least: 18% of elementary students are proficient in reading and just 19% in math.

Danville’s middle and high schools don’t fare much better, with dismal percentages in both subjects. College readiness stands near 14%, and the graduation rate is barely over the halfway mark at 61%.

These board members, unfortunately, are the stewards of education in this district, where academic success is elusive and seemingly reflective of the decision-making prowess of its leaders.

While the shenanigans in Danville might take top prize for their sheer audacity, it is imperative to note that such corruption and misconduct are far from isolated incidents; in fact, they seem to be part of a distressing trend of local government unhinged.

In the last year alone, local representatives in cities across the nation have been exposed for their wrongdoing: In Chicago, former Ald. Ed Burke was indicted in part because of his legal troubles involving the alleged extortion of Burger King executives and other misconduct related to his law firm.

Meanwhile in St. Louis, former Ald. Brandon Bosley is facing felony wire fraud charges, accused of orchestrating a scheme related to insurance for his Prius, inflating repair costs among other fraudulent activities.

Up in Milwaukee, former Ald. Chantia Lewis has been removed from office after pleading guilty to charges of misconduct and unlawful use of campaign finance, with accompanying allegations of embezzlement and theft during her term.

I could list numerous other examples, but unfortunately, I’m limited in space.

What’s troubling is that these instances are not rare; they are symptomatic of a broader malaise.

Truth be told, participation in local elections will not guarantee the emergence of honest, upright candidates. The intertwining of corruption and politics is a tale as old as the Republic itself.

However, the solution isn’t to surrender to indifference or resign to cynicism.

It is crucial that we engage in local elections and fulfill our duty as informed and active participants. The alternative is a breeding ground for inefficiency and malfeasance.

With over 19,000 cities, towns and villages across America, ensuring legitimacy at the local level is necessary. Our engagement, vigilance and votes serve as the primary safeguards against the encroachment of incompetence and corruption in our local governments.

So, when a seemingly “mundane” local election comes around next time, remember: your choice to participate — or not — could be the thin line between a functional local government or a Danville-esque spectacle of civic absurdity.