7 Reasons You Should Pay Closer Attention to State Politics
Federal politics make the big headlines — every day we’re outraged at something the President says, tweets or does. It’s all-consuming and seems like where we should be looking.
But, most of what matters in our day-to-day lives is determined by our state and even local representatives. And yet, we pay little attention to state-level politics. Voter turnout in the 2014 midterms was 36 percent, compared to 59 percent in the 2016 general election. Voter turnout in mayoral elections averages an abysmal 20 percent in some of the largest metropolitan areas.
We owe it to ourselves to pay close attention to state and local politics because states have a wide latitude to set regulations and restrictions.
While Federal law has supremacy over state laws, anything that isn’t explicitly regulated by federal law is left to the discretion of the states. And even when there are federal laws, court rulings or minimum requirements, the states have significant leeway.
So What Can State Legislatures Do?
1. Control Access to Women’s Health: A Right at Risk
Louisiana passed a law in June that bans abortions after 15 weeks, following on the heels a similar law that Mississippi passed in March. Most of us assume Roe v. Wade provides broad protection for women’s health and access to abortion. But it doesn’t. Despite federal law that theoretically protect a woman’s right to abortion for the first 23 to 24 weeks, states can restrict abortion to the point that it is virtually unavailable in states like Virginia where there are only two clinics licensed to perform abortions.
27 states currently impose mandatory waiting periods for abortions, 18 require counseling and 37 states require parental notification or involvement for minors. Other states stand out for protecting women’s rights. California, Oregon, Washington, New York and Nevada are among states that have no such restrictions and provide at least some public funding based on need.
And if Roe v. Wade is overturned, 10 states have “dormant” laws that would make abortion illegal.
In New Mexico, the legislature has been working to overturn a 1968 law that makes it a felony to provide abortions. The law was voided by Roe v. Wade, but remains on the books. Democrats have a thin margin in the New Mexico House of Representatives — not enough to override a veto by the Republican governor.
2. Redistrict, or gerrymander
In most states, the legislature draws the maps every 10 years for both state legislative and congressional districts. That gives trifecta state governments — where one party controls both houses in the state legislature and governor’s office — the ability to carve out districts that heavily favor the ruling party and are hard to break.
3. Expand or restrict voting rights
States run the elections and set policies on everything from voter identification laws to polling hours and early voting. Since a 2013 Supreme Court ruling struct down portions of the voting rights act, states have closed at least 868 polling locations. Just last month, the Indiana Secretary of State, a Republican, issued plans to close 170 polling precincts in largely Democratic Lake County.
4. Control access to healthcare
While the Federal Government sets overall Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid rules, states implement the exchanges, regulate insurance companies, decide what medications and treatments have to be covered and decide whether or not to accept certain federal funds.
5. Establish gun laws
With a few exceptions, the Federal Government leaves gun control to the states. Open or concealed carry, waiting periods, ammunition restrictions, safety training and most everything else is implemented (or not) by state legislatures.
6. Set labor laws
States can set everything from union rights to vacation, sick leave, parental leave and minimum wage laws. While the Federal Government has established a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour (unchanged since 2009!), 26 states have set a higher bar. City and county governments also have set locally higher minimum wages in many places.
7. So much more
Beyond the headline issues, state and local governments determine funding for education, infrastructure, public safety, and healthcare. They license and regulate businesses, and establish environmental laws within the state. They establish and manage parks and forests.
Building Blue for Today and Tomorrow
State politics can also be a stepping stone to national politics. As Jessica Alter wrote in a Tech for Campaigns post last year, “In the U.S. government, the minor leagues are the states.” State politics are the proving ground for national politics. Almost every member of Congress and President were elected state officials early in their careers. Federal judges frequently work in state judicial systems first.
Candidates gain the experience they need to run for and serve in a national capacity through state politics. The people we elect to state offices today could be in Congress or the White House tomorrow.
But, let’s get back to today, our communities and the midterms that are just two months away. Remember, states control elections and redistricting. If we want to flip the House and Senate safely blue, we have to focus on local politics and break the GOP supermajorities and trifectas in our own backyards first.
Help Democratic and Progressive Campaigns!
The most important thing we can do is get out there and vote in November, and help encourage others to vote.
And if you’re a digital marketer, content marketer, UX/UI designer or data analyst, TFC needs your help on campaign projects. Volunteer today!
