All politics are local -- especially when we vote on Tuesday

Local politics make it hard to be mean-spirited and hide behind anonymity, because when the election is over, we will still be neighbors and see each other around town. Sound bites start to fall flat, because it is too easy to hold fellow community members accountable.

Local politics have little room for partisan lines; setting public policies which are the closest to home and guiding our unique communities into the future calls for individuals rather than parties.

Politics at the local level require listening to candidates in an intimate setting and asking them questions.

Throughout the month of October, the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area and the Charleston Area Metro Chamber hosted candidate forums for all of the contested races in the municipalities of Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms.

All six forums provided evidence that there are a lot of committed people who can make a strong case for why they should be considered for council and mayoral positions.

With an average attendance of more than 100 people per forum, they demonstrated that we also have a good number of citizens who are doing their part to make democracy work.

It's also clear from the forums that political discourse is alive and well. Each forum was as unique as the municipalities and districts being represented.

While differences of opinion and even disagreements were in evidence, every candidate was respectful of both the process and his or her opponents. Audiences were equally respectful of the candidates, and while there were a few laughs that could not be contained, they were with candidates and not at them.

Statewide and national elections may get the most media attention and generate strong partisan opinions, but your vote in those elections is only one of millions and thousands of millions. If history is our guide, your vote on Nov. 8 will be one of just thousands in our larger municipalities and one of a few hundred in municipal districts and smaller towns.

It is unfortunate that turnout is often lowest for local elections, when they are the elections in which your vote makes the biggest impact. Since the winners are those with the most votes, your single vote could actually make all the difference for your candidate.

Local elections are your chance to be the decision-maker and "hire" the candidates you feel will do the best job representing your values and running our communities.

We encourage you to take this hiring role very seriously. Vote for someone and something rather than merely against someone or something. Educate yourself about the issues and the positions that the candidates take on them. Seek references and opinions from others, but remember this is your vote and your decision to make.

If you were not able to attend the forum for your town or district, read up on the candidates and reach out to them. The League of Women Voters' website, www.lwvcharleston.org, provides candidate names and contact details, including websites or general information (provided by the candidates) for all municipal or district races in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. New district maps are included on the Charleston and North Charleston pages.

Links for election commissions and schedules for Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston counties are also provided at the League's website.

Democracy works when our leaders represent the people they serve, and that is not possible if "we the people" do not get to know about the candidates and then cast informed ballots.

Make the most of this last week before the elections, and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Julie Hussey is president of the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area.