Voting Locally

With so much going on in the world right now, voting locally is extremely important. Local change is the first step to bigger change. The actions of local government affect us and how we live our everyday lives. 

Issues like income taxes, education reform, and police funding are decided at a local level. On June 10th, the Portland City Council had a budget hearing to decide whether or not to adopt the budget proposed by Mayor Wheeler for the next year. His proposal includes more than $245 million towards funding for the Portland Police Bureau, which is increasingly more than what was spent in 2017-2018. This budget puts more money to the police and not enough for our schools or social services. This continues to affect children’s education, and the safety and wellbeing our Portland citizens. 

By voting in local elections, we can have a say in who will be the next mayor, and who will put money where it matters most. Voting in a strong mayor changes the way police departments interact with our community. Now is the time to research our candidates for mayor, and vote for those who represent and hold the same values you do. 

By defunding the police, funding can be redistributed to communities that are disproportionately affected by poverty and lack of infrastructure (which are ofter communities of color). Community-based initiatives need to be invested in to help local grassroots organizations that have been working in and engaging in these communities. Money can be redistributed to creating more affordable housing and healthcare to help the homeless population be safe and cared for. 

The election is not for a while, but there are still ways you can help and get involved with the city now. You can call your local officials and demand a rejection of the wildly high city budget that is in favor of the PPD. You can call to demand mayors to de-escalate the extreme police forces. Sign petitions, read, educate yourself, and educate those around you. 

For a list of local organizations to support, follow this link —> https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5Z-gJnFFu/ 

Images by JoJo Baccam, @jjbccm, via Instagram