Don't Forget the Bottom of the Ballot!

In this hyper-partisan political moment, it is hard to believe that there are any electoral races
that aren’t dominated by our two main political parties. But for most of us across the Palmetto
State, there are often local elections that are, in fact, non-partisan. They didn’t have primaries in
June, and they aren’t included when you vote a straight-party ballot. But these local races often
have an out-sized impact on our everyday lives.

For me and the thousands of other public education advocates across South Carolina, no
nonpartisan races are more important that our school board elections. There are 72 school
districts across the state, and of the 68 that hold elections for their boards, only Horry and Lee
Counties have partisan ones. Most seats also have four-year terms, which means there is a
good chance that there will be a school board race (or races) on your ballot this November (or in
October if you are voting early!).

Local governance has been one arena where statements like “potholes are nonpartisan” still
holds some common-sense weight. If you believe that strong public schools are as important
civic infrastructure as our roads, then fixing the “potholes” of our public education systems
should be nonpartisan too. Nonpartisan doesn’t mean not political. I’m not naïve enough to bury my head in the sand about just how heated the politics of public education is, especially since the COVID pandemic.

That goes for just about every issue of public policy and civic engagement these days. But I’m a
native South Carolinian, so I take a lot of pride in our state motto: Dum Spiro Spero, or While I
Breathe I Hope. It’s a really powerful affirmation for eternal optimists…like TogetherSC members
who have committed our professional lives in service to the greater good.
Local school board members, commissioners, city council representatives, and other
nonpartisan officials are uniquely positioned to demonstrate how we can still bring folks together
from a variety of different backgrounds with common purpose: to make our communities
stronger, our citizens safer, healthier, and more educated, and our economies and quality of life
better for all.

As nonprofit leaders, we have a part to play in ensuring that everyone knows how to make their
voices heard in the upcoming elections, and that includes the races at the bottom of their ballot.
It’s not just about what name looks the most familiar from a yard sign or social media ad, but
rather what candidates have said in forums, candidate questionnaires, and one-on-one
conversations in the community. I urge you to check your ballots, understand which races are
on it, and do research to make sure that your vote aligns with your values and priorities. And it’s
your duty to encourage your Board of Directors, stakeholders, and clients to do the same!

So let’s keep breathing and hoping—and voting!—together, for a greater South Carolina.