Local government is the first line of attack on many community problems. Local government gets involved in social services and welfare programs, too. School boards have the primary governmental responsibility for and a profound influence on the primary and secondary education of our children. Local government is often the testing ground for creative, innovative ideas and is most familiar with community needs. Further, local elective offices are stepping stones to higher state and federal elective and appointive offices.
State government plays an important part in our life, too.
The Republican Party, dominated by conservative Christians, is within a handful of seats of taking control of both houses of the state legislature. In that event, laws will become even less progressive than at the current time. Since the state legislature elects judges for state courts, a rightward shift in the state legislature will eventually be reflected in a more conservative judiciary, as well. We can expect further legal retrenchment and less state financial support of affirmative action, reproductive rights and family planning, welfare reform, public education, and other state services of interest to women, such as, rape counseling, domestic violence prevention, child support enforcement, cultural institutions, environmental protection, consumer protection, and medical assistance. We spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to influence our elected officials after the election.