To be completely honest, this was sort of a trick question… because Domino’s actually is helping to fix potholes in some cities. For real. We live in interesting times... Potholes may seem like a trivial issue when compared to matters of global geopolitical importance, but what about when you bottom out in one on your way to work? Feels like a big deal then. We don’t turn to the president or the governor to address this sort of everyday-life stuff. We turn to somebody local: the mayor. 

Recreational cannabis is legal in nine states. Our beloved Vermont just became the first state to legalize it via the legislature, and the governor signed the bill. BUT, it was legalized in the other eight states via a ballot initiative—in other words, people got to vote on whether they wanted it to be legal. The lesson? Get involved at the local level. Learn all about your own state’s process and start talking to community groups and your state representatives about how to proceed. 

Prosecutors are among the most powerful local elected officials, yet they often run unopposed and almost nobody really knows what they do. Prosecutors decide whether someone has to pay bail, what crime they’re charged with, how long they’ll go to jail, and much more. Mass incarceration is a complex issue, but the role of prosecutors in driving up prison populations is finally beginning to be understood. The good news is that a reform movementRead more about this—and then go vote.

President Trump made news when he pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, but since then mayors around the US and the world have stepped up to pledge that they will continue to work to meet and even exceed the Paris goals, with many hoping to make their cities 100% carbon-free. National politics may drive the conversation, but local action is making the difference. 

No, no, please don’t be alarmed. No pizza purveyors are involved in making decisions about your school, as far as we know… OK, yes, this was a pretty easy one. But you may not realize how much power and influence your local school board has. They set the course for academics and sports. They propose building and repair projects. They negotiate with teachers’ unions. They develop the budget, which can impact your local taxes. That’s a big deal. School-board races are often WAY under the radar, but they’re worth paying attention to. 

Without much fanfare or acclaim, state legislators research, debate, draft, and pass legislation that has a huge influence over your daily life. In some states, like Vermont, state-legislating is only a part-time job, believe or not. But compared to Congress, state legislatures are very productive. The problem is that their work often gets less coverage than the latest Washington, DC, press conference. So: find out who your local representatives are and how they’ve voted, then make sure you get to the polls and vote too!

The city council is an interesting organization that basically serves as the legislative branch of city government. They make policies (like establishing closing times) and pass laws that touch an astounding array of issues impacting your daily urban life. They handle budgets, decide which projects get funded, and generally seek to shape the overall direction of the city. Next time you’re wondering why something in your city is the way it is, look more closely at the city council. If you feel strongly enough about an issue, maybe you should run for the council yourself!