Local government is the level of government that most directly affects your daily life — from the roads you drive on and the schools your children attend to the water you drink and the parks you visit. It's also the level where your voice has the most impact.
While national politics dominates the news, local government handles the issues that shape your everyday life:
Local officials are also the most accessible elected officials you have. Your city council member might live on your block. Your school board member shops at the same grocery store. This proximity means your voice carries real weight.
Counties (called parishes in Louisiana, boroughs in Alaska) are the primary subdivision of states. They typically handle courts, jails, vital records, elections, property assessment, and road maintenance in unincorporated areas. There are over 3,000 counties in the US.
Cities, towns, and villages are incorporated municipalities with their own governments. They provide services like police, fire, water, sewage, and parks. Their authority comes from the state through a charter or general law.
Used primarily in Midwestern and Northeastern states, townships are geographic subdivisions of counties that provide local services. Some are quite active; others exist largely on paper.
These single-purpose entities handle specific services like water supply, fire protection, libraries, parks, or transit. They often cross municipal boundaries and have their own taxing authority. There are tens of thousands of special districts across the US.
Independent school districts have elected boards that set budgets, hire superintendents, approve curriculum, and manage school facilities. School board elections often have the lowest voter turnout of any election, despite their enormous impact on communities.
An elected mayor serves as chief executive, and an elected council serves as the legislative body. In a strong mayor system, the mayor has significant authority including hiring and firing department heads and vetoing legislation. In a weak mayor system, executive power is shared with the council.
The elected council sets policy and hires a professional city manager to handle day-to-day administration. The mayor is typically a council member who serves as chair — a largely ceremonial role. This is the most common form of city government in the US.
In at-large systems, all council members are elected by all voters citywide. In district (ward) systems, the city is divided into geographic areas, and each area elects its own representative. Many cities use a hybrid: some at-large seats and some district seats. District systems tend to produce more diverse representation.
Start with practical steps to get involved in the decisions that affect your community most.
Get Involved Locally