How Voting Impacts YOU
Presented by: Standing Together As Pillars (STAPP)
Scripture: James 1:5, Proverbs 29:2, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Jeremiah 29:7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Hey Auntie Grammy’s Crew, never think your voice is too small to make a difference. Even before you are old enough to vote, you can ask questions, learn about what’s happening in your community, and encourage your parents and family members to vote for your future, your rights, your wants, and your needs. Voting is about more than choosing a President/Vice President — local leaders like mayors, school board members, judges, sheriffs, and city council members make decisions that affect your schools, neighborhoods, safety, and everyday life. Your voice matters right now, and when you speak up, you help create change for tomorrow. Ok, Grammy’s Crew, let’s raise our voices, stand together, and shine bright for our future. Okay Grammy’s Crew — grab your mom, dad, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and friends! Walk with them, drive them to the polls, or simply talk with them about voting and why it matters for your future.— Love, Auntie Grammy
How Voting Works
Register to Vote – You can pre-register at 16 in some states.
Learn About the Candidates – Read, ask questions, and talk about local issues.
Vote – In person or by mail.
Stay Involved – Keep learning and engaging even after the election!
Why Voting Locally (in your states and cities) Matters
Your vote helps decide:
Who runs your schools and decides what programs stay or go
Who oversees your police department and community safety
How much money goes into parks, housing, and after-school activities
Who sets local taxes and decides how they’re spent
Who represents your neighborhood when decisions are made
Local votes can be decided by just a few ballots — your single vote really counts!
How You Can Get Involved Right Now
Even before you’re 18:
Join the student government or the youth councils
Walk with someone to the polls (if you don’t drive)
Attend city council or school board meetings
Volunteer at polling places or voter drives
Discuss current events at home or the youth group
Help others understand how voting works
On a side note: If you don’t vote, you let someone else take your power and decide for your life.
Understanding the Levels of Government, the three main levels of government — each one affects you in different ways. Most of the decisions that affect your everyday life — like your school, park safety, or bus routes — are made by local officials
The Three Branches of Government
Branch What It Does Who’s In It
Executive Enforces laws President, Governor, Mayor
Legislative Makes laws Congress, State Legislature, City Council
Judicial Interprets laws Supreme Court, State & Local Judges
Three main levels of Government
Level What It Does Who’s In It
Local/ (City or County) Handles your daily life — schools, Mayor, City Council, County Commissioner,
roads, parks, police, and housing Sheriff, School Board Members, District Attorneys,
Judges, Tax Collectors, and more
State Runs statewide programs like Governor, State Senators, State Representatives,
healthcare, education, and safety Attorney General, State Judges
Federal (National) Handles issues that affect the entire President, Congress (Senate & House), Supreme Court
country — laws, defense, and foreign Justices
relations.
These are the people making decisions about your Schools, Education, Parks & Recreation, Jobs & Small Businesses, Housing & Neighborhoods, Safety & Policing, Transportation & Roads, Health & Environment, Taxes & Spending, Community Events & Youth Programs, Representation — and they work for YOU.
Whether your town attracts new stores, restaurants, and opportunities
Mayors and city councils influence local business growth and employment programs.
Jobs you help choose when you vote locally
Position What They Do
Mayor Leads the city, manages local services, and represents the people.
City Council Members Create and vote on city laws and budgets.
School Board Members Decide school policies, budgets, and programs for students.
Sheriff / Police Chief Oversees law enforcement and community safety.
County Commissioners Manage roads, parks, and public funds in the county.
District Attorney Handles criminal cases and justice decisions in the community.
Judges Make fair rulings in local courts.
Tax Collector / Treasurer Manages the collection and spending of local taxes.
Clerk / Registrar Maintains public records, including birth certificates, and runs local elections.
1. Schools & Education
Quality of teachers and school programs
Funding for sports, arts, and after-school activities
School safety and discipline policies
Decisions about free meals, transportation, and technology
Local school board members and city officials decide how schools are run.
2. Parks & Recreation
Building or upgrading playgrounds and community centers
Funding for sports teams, youth leagues, and summer programs
Keeping parks safe and clean
City council and county commissioners control park budgets and events.
3. Jobs & Small Businesses
How much money goes into helping local businesses grow
Decisions about teen job programs or internships
4. Housing & Neighborhoods
Affordable housing options
How neighborhoods are developed or renovated
Rules about landlords, rent, and safety codes
County commissioners and city planning boards make these decisions.
5. Safety & Policing
How your local police department operates
Which community safety programs get funding
How your city handles emergencies and disaster response
Sheriffs, mayors, and city councils decide safety priorities.
6. Transportation & Roads
Repairs and maintenance for streets and sidewalks
Decisions about public transportation, buses, and routes
Bike lanes, traffic lights, and school zone safety
City and county officials manage transportation planning.
7. Health & Environment
Clean water, trash pickup, and recycling programs
Local clinics, hospitals, and health outreach
Environmental safety and green spaces
Local health boards and commissioners decide these issues.
8. Taxes & Spending
How your city or county spends your tax money
What services get funded — schools, roads, police, etc.
Decisions about raising or lowering local taxes
City councils and county boards set local budgets.
9. Community Events & Youth Programs
Local festivals, parades, and cultural events
Teen centers, mentorship programs, and scholarships
Partnerships with youth-led organizations like STAPP
Community development boards and mayors support youth initiatives.
10. Representation
Who speaks for your community at the city or county level
Who listens to your concerns and acts on them
How your neighborhood’s needs are represented
Voting local means voting for people who understand where you live