Summer Is Here but 2023’s Local Elections Are Around the Corner

It’s the middle of summer and everyone is hopefully enjoying some quality fun with their families and in their communities. I’m sure the last thing on many people’s minds are the 2023 elections.  

But, this November, dozens of cities and school boards across the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation’s seven-county jurisdiction will be conducting their local elections. From cities like Circle Pines (where the mayor’s office and three council seats are on the ballot) and St. Anthony to school districts like Anoka -Hennepin and Westonka, 2023 is an election year.

Now is the perfect time to start charting our course to fill the seats of our city councils and school boards with pro-worker champions.  

These “off-year” local elections do not get nearly the attention of “even-year” elections that feature statewide and national candidates at the top of the ticket. However, despite the relatively small number of vote totals, the local races on the ballot in years like 2023 can have just as big, if not bigger, impacts on working families’ lives.  

These local elected officials set critical policies that shape the health and well-being of our local communities and local economies. They are seen as civic leaders and help inform their communities of critical issues that working families are facing. Plus, oftentimes, it is local candidates who eventually run for higher office.  

Recently, local school board members have been particularly critical in shaping the debate around truth in education. Our champions have defended our educators and our families against falsehoods and divisive rhetoric about our shared history as a country.  

What better way to ensure we have great worker-friendly champions in these positions than to have our own union members run for office! If you are reading this column and you ever have been interested in getting more involved in your community, now is the time to consider running for local office. Or, do you have a co-worker who you think would be a great candidate for local elected office? Encourage them to run!

To see what’s on the ballot in your local area for 2023 visit, www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot.

Candidate filings are open from August 1-15.

Reach out to [email protected] to answer any questions you might have about running for office.  

The Minnesota AFL-CIO also offers a Union Member Candidate Program for union members who are running for public office. The program offers training, support, and a chance to network with other union members running for office.

Visit mnaflcio.org/runforoffice for more information.