Democracy Starts Here: The Power of Local Politics

On January 20, the U.S. inaugurated former President Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Many voters are bracing themselves for another four years of chaos. In a time when the national political landscape seems far removed from daily life, local politics offer a better way to engage in decisions that directly affect you. By engaging in local political initiatives, such as community boards and mayoral elections, New Yorkers can take advantage of the unique privilege they have to shape the future of their city. Becoming involved in local politics—especially when national politics may seem turbulent—is a simple and effective way to stay politically active. New York is electing a new mayor this year, and it’s your chance to make a difference in the city you live in.

I recently attended a lecture given by Zellnor Myrie, a New York State Senator running for mayor. To a small group of potential donors, Myrie discussed his plans to address the central issues our city faces: the cost of living and safety. From 2011 to 2022, the average housing expenditure has increased a staggering 68.4 percent. To combat this trend, Myrie plans to undertake a challenge many previous mayors have deemed impossible: building and preserving 1,000,000 New York City homes. Myrie also plans to address the lack of safety that many New York City residents contend with, safety for subway commuters, homelessness, and drug abuse crisis on the streets of New York. These issues often stem from a lack of coordinated action taken by city agencies. Creating policies related to social services and crime that are specific and actionable is more effective. 

But Myrie isn’t the only candidate trying to address local issues; all his competitors support important and varied causes. Jessica Ramos, a six-year State Senator from Queens, aims to represent first responders and the working class while Zohran Mamdani is a far-leftist who prioritizes free childcare and buses. Both Mamdani and Ramos support rent freezes, a controversial topic among voters. 

Jim Walden, a notable lawyer, is also running this year. Walden announced that he will not call for a rent freeze; however, one of his most prominent policies is a “landlord certification program with penalties for negligent property owners.” Compared to a rent freeze, this program offers a more practical approach because it focuses on manageable problems. By combining accountability with incentive, this program can create stronger, healthier relationships between tenants and landlords. On the other hand, Walden happens to be the only candidate polled who supports the posting of the National Guard in the subway system. These policies, along with a commitment to root out corruption, support his moderate stance. He hopes to obtain support from the right by establishing the National Guard as a safety measure, as well as from the left by keeping inattentive landlords in check. 

With the wide variety of candidates, this mayoral election is extremely important in advocating for your personal opinions regarding the New York City community. I personally believe that a rent freeze is not the best solution for the rising cost of living. Landlords already struggle with proper building maintenance. Cutting their budget, and subsequently the quality of maintenance, will cause further disapproval amongst renters. Rent freezes apply to all tenants, regardless of income, which means that higher-income tenants will have the same benefits as lower-income tenants who are more in need of housing assistance. 

I believe that Myrie will be the best candidate for New York City mayor, not only because of his fierce dedication, but also because of his competent history as a State Senator. Some mayoral candidates, such as Whitney Tilson and Jim Walden, have little to no political experience. In contrast, Myrie authored the nation’s first gun industry accountability law in 2021, which allowed “civil suits in state courts against reckless and irresponsible gun companies.” While some criticize Myrie for overpromising on the campaign trail, to me his statements are concrete promises that inspire confidence in his leadership.

Citizens often prioritize national issues when electing representatives, but local mayoral policies are usually more directly relevant to local voters than federal policies. When passing important legislation such as gun laws, the United States faces such a wide range of opinions that it becomes difficult to create laws that satisfy the majority of its citizens. On the other hand, a smaller population makes it easier to discuss basic policies such as anti-gun laws, emphasizing the importance of taking action locally—you have a louder voice. Actions at the local level, such as rezoning laws, sanitation, and even local taxes, have more tangible effects than national legislation. 

However, local politics are often ignored because people do not understand the difference between local and national decision-making. Local governments directly control rent prices, minimum wage adjustments, police reforms, and public health ordinances such as vaccine mandations. National government, also essential, creates policies such as environmental protection legislation, interstate commerce regulation, and healthcare acts. Local laws target community-specific needs, whereas national laws address systemic concerns. Overlooking local politics means missing opportunities to influence important decisions that impact your daily life. 

Possibilities for local involvement don’t end with the mayoral election. Keep an eye out for opportunities to become involved with your city council or community board. New York City has 59 community boards, each holding monthly public meetings. Many neighborhoods have additional block associations, local co-op boards, or civic groups that uphold order and address hyper-local issues. If you want to participate in local politics but would prefer not to commit highly to anything, most community boards have a newsletter or send email updates. Familiarizing yourself with important issues, even without fully committing, can feel empowering. If you’d like to be more involved, all New Yorkers ages 16 and up have the opportunity to join their community board. Monthly meetings are public, but community board members are the only ones allowed to actively participate in discussions and vote. 

Participation in community politics not only gives citizens a sense of purpose and belonging in the political world, but also sets off a chain reaction of involvement. Much like in a school environment, people who are involved in local government bodies such as a community board are more likely to volunteer, help their neighbors, and feel a deeper connection to their community. If you would like to learn more about politics and become more involved in your community, start small, and don’t overwhelm yourself with the national level. The most impactful legal decisions will often lie close to home. New York City’s mayoral election is brimming with promising candidates; do some research and find the one that best aligns with your vision for the future of our city.