We have all been there. You walk into the voting booth, determined to do your civic duty, only to stare at a list of names and realize you aren’t completely sure who half of them are—or what they actually do.
For too long, the political process has felt like an exclusive club. People are often told to “educate themselves,” which can feel dismissive and overwhelming. But here is the truth: democracy isn’t a pop quiz you have to study for in secret. It is a shared responsibility, and nobody should ever feel embarrassed for asking questions or learning the ropes today.
At the LCDP, we believe that an informed voter is an unstoppable force. Instead of gatekeeping the process, we are here to hand you the blueprint.
Here is a quick breakdown of who does what, and how they impact your daily life:
🏡 Local Offices (City & County Councils, Mayors, School Boards, Sheriffs)
Local governments are organized around population centers. Their agencies provide resources and services, and we elect the leaders who govern locally. There are two layers of local government: counties and municipalities. Each state’s constitution defines them and determines what power they have. Sometimes they are further divided into school or fire districts.
They fix the potholes that tear up your tires. They decide where your local tax dollars go, how your neighborhood is developed, and what resources our students and teachers receive in the classroom. Local elections impact your immediate day-to-day life more than any other.
Local Elected Officials
- Mayors represent their municipality (city/town) and lead their respective council.
- City/town councils and county commissioners review and approve local budgets and establish local ordinances.
- School boards set curriculum, decide school policies, and approve and oversee budgets.
- Judges ensure that local laws are fairly upheld.
Functions of Local Government
- Parks & Recreation
- Public schools
- Public libraries
- Police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services
- Municipal courts, jails, and prisons
- Public Works departments include water, sewer, trash collection, recycling, street and sidewalk maintenance, bike lanes, fire hydrants, parking, and accessibility.
- Public transportation
- Zoning and land use offices regulate the development of housing and businesses.
- Social Services include public housing and public health initiatives like free or low-cost vaccines.
- Advisory boards and committees assist with everything from animal welfare to historic preservation.
These important services are funded by:
- Taxes on our personal property (land, homes, and vehicles) and in some places, sales taxes.
- Bonds and millages that are proposed as ballot initiatives and voted on by the public during elections. The process of how these get on ballots varies by state.
🏛️ State Offices (Governor, State Senators, State Representatives, Attorney General)
They make the critical decisions on healthcare access, public education funding, reproductive rights, business regulations, and the state budget. The people we send to Columbia shape the future of South Carolina.
Governor – wields the supreme executive power to manage state cabinet agencies and issue vital legislative vetoes. Submits a proposed budget to the General Assembly and appoints their cabinet. They also serve as Commander-in-Chief of the SC National Guard and can declare a state of emergency.
Secretary of State – manages filings for businesses, registers and regulates charitable organizations, maintains database of Notaries Public, and issues official commissions for elected officials. Does not have authority over voter registration, voter rolls, or election administration.
Comptroller General -oversees the state’s financial operations, maintains the state’s accounting records, processes financial disbursements, ensures accountability, and safeguards public funds. Does not set state fiscal policy or control spending decisions.
🇺🇸 Federal Offices (U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives)
While the President isn’t on the ballot in 2026, the Federal leaders we elect this year will make massive decisions regarding national taxes, student loans, Social Security, Medicare, and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justices.
🗓️ The Dates You Need to Know for 2026:
- Primary Election (June 9, 2026): This is where you help choose which Democrat will represent our party on the final ballot. Here’s your guide to the candidates. (Runoffs, if necessary, will be held June 23).
- General Election (November 3, 2026): The main event. This is when voters choose the final candidates to take office.
✅ Know Before You Go You don’t have to guess. You can look up exactly who will be on your specific ballot right now. We recommend these trusted, non-partisan tools:
- scVOTES.gov – Check your registration and view your exact sample ballot.
- VOTE411.org – Compare candidate stances side-by-side.
- Ballotpedia.org – Dive deep into candidate histories and voting records.
You don’t need a degree in political science to make a difference. You just need to show up. And don’t forget – This is our time!
