Up On AT ONCE (link in bio): SOULS TO THE POLLS! Today we launch our “Souls to the Polls” series highlighting trailblazing politicians running in local elections all over the country. Our first spotlight is on the great Donna Edwards running for Maryland's Senate seat! With so much attention given to congressional and presidential elections it easy to overlook local elections where voter turnout really matters. Local politics determine what happens in your neighborhood, from your water to your recyclables, from your city center to your local police force. You only need to look as far as the Flint water crisis, police violence and the ensuing reaction to unrest, to the schools our kids go to. Often, state politics are the guiding light for watershed federal policies. Would Barack Obama have supported marriage equality if it wasn’t for earlier victories in Washington, New York and other states? Local policies influence state policies, and state policies influence federal policies. We have a long history in the US of states and municipalities leading the way on issues from child labor to legal abortion, to women’s suffrage. Activists can have a much larger impact on state and local policy. It’s also easier for local politicians to be more radical and authentic, because…..they can actually get shit done! Shit that effects us everyday! We can also influence our local politicians more easily because their constituencies are smaller. Read more about Donna Edwards, her campaign, her work with Black Lives Matter and her experience as a single mom in politics. Also, Lenny Letter (@lennyletter) a great interview with her that's on their newsletter! #soulstothepolls #votingmatters #representationmatters #localelectionsreallymatter #DonnaEdwardsForSenate