Voting can feel energizing - and, sometimes, completely overwhelming. If you’ve ever looked at a ballot and realized you have no idea the purpose some state & local elected positions serve - you’re not alone.

Log on to our virtual event on October 8th, and hear from elected officials, experts, and more about how these down-ballot races can impact the issues you care most about.

Can’t wait for October 8?

We want to help you learn how your local officials directly impact issues like reproductive justice, education, and voting rights.

Our free, non-partisan local voters toolkit will help you be less overwhelmed and more informed before you head to the polls.

Why Be The Ones

State and local elected officials shape our lives. They make decisions impacting everything from kids’ education, closing the racial wealth gap, expanding healthcare, and voter access.

Be The Ones aims to equip voters like you with clear, factual information that will help you confidently elect the local leaders you want to represent you and your community.

99%

of elections this year are state & local positions

2,400

elections for prosecutors & sheriffs this year

80%

of eligible voters don’t vote in local elections

  • 550,000 +

    Number of state and local elected officials across the country.

  • 96 %

    Of all government officials are elected locally.

  • $3 Trillion

    The amount of local government spending state and local officials control the annually.

  • "I didn't realize how much my vote mattered until one of my local races was decided by just 16 votes. My vote meant we were going to have better school programs for my son and his classmates."

    -Brendan, North Carolina

  • "Mis padres y mi familia votan, pero sólo porque paso muchas horas ayudándoles a entender por qué su voto es importante. No sólo dedico tiempo a ayudarles antes de las elecciones, sino que tengo que dedicar muchas horas a encontrar la información para compartirla con ellos - y casi no existe información sobre los cargos de nuestra ciudad que pueda encontrar para ayudar a entender lo que hacen estas personas."

    -Kimberly, Florida

  • "I always hear "vote local," "local elections matter" - but what does that mean? Where is the information helping me understand why local elections matter and how these people impact my life. If I knew more I would probably care more."

    -Alyson, New York

Who We Are

Be The Ones is a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement at the local level by eliminating barriers and making participation easier and more accessible.

We’re writing the playbook for local civic participation and building a first-of-its-kind hub to help constituents understand the who, what, and why of local government and what’s on the ballot.

Knowledge is power. When we provide information that’s easy to understand, engaging, and relatable, constituents become actively invested in the future of their communities.

Together, we’re shaping the communities and democracy we want to be a part of.

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We take protecting privacy seriously. By sharing your name, email and zip code, we will be able to send you information on our toolkit & work. We will never share your information with outside parties.

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Your financial investment allows us to build our programs, reach more folks across the country, and support the ones powering this work. Thank you for investing in Be The Ones.