Democratic View: Looking ahead to 2021

It is disorienting to be writing this column days before the Nov. 3 election, knowing full well that when it appears Nov. 4, we still won’t know the election results. So, let’s take a break from 2020 politics and look ahead to 2021.

Next year is a local year, meaning that the majority of positions to fill are local positions. Here are all the positions that are up for election in 2021:

• County Legislature: all 14 seats, four-year terms
• Ithaca Common Council: one seat per ward, four-year terms
• Caroline: supervisor, two-year term; one town justice, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Danby: supervisor, two-year term; town clerk, two-year term; highway superintendent, two-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Dryden: supervisor, two-year term; highway superintendent, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Enfield: supervisor, two-year term; town clerk, two-year term; highway superintendent, two-year term; town justice, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Groton: supervisor, four-year term; town clerk, four-year term; highway superintendent, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Ithaca (town): one town justice, four-year term; three town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Lansing: two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Newfield: supervisor, four-year term, town clerk, four-year term; highway superintendent, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms
• Ulysses: supervisor, four-year term; town clerk, four-year term; highway superintendent, four-year term; two town councilpersons, four-year terms

Also up for election are three trustee seats in Cayuga Heights, plus seats for mayor and two trustees in the villages of Dryden, Groton and Lansing. Your local school board will be filling two or three seats in 2021 as well.

If you have ever thought about running for office, 2021 is your year. Local offices are where the rubber meets the road, where you can learn the craft of drafting policies and laws, communicating with constituents, balancing budgets, applying for grants and assisting citizens in navigating the system.

Running for office may seem daunting, but if you run as a Democrat, the Tompkins County Democratic Committee (TCDC) offers plenty of help.

First, in cooperation with Adirondack Diversity Solutions, TCDC is presenting a Local Politics Educational Series on Zoom. Course 101, Getting to Know Local Government, already took place, and a recorded version will be available soon. The other offerings include:

• Areas of Engagement 102, Nov. 14, 2020, at 2 p.m. Covering voting, volunteering, donating and organizing events; elected offices and vacancies; and how to connect with local officials.
• The Path to Local Government 103, Dec. 12, 2020, at 2 p.m. Featuring guest speakers and sharing journeys in representative politics.

If you’re interested in attending the next installment of the series, see TCDC social media or email tompkinscountydemocrats@gmail.com for more information.

Second, reach out to your local Democratic committee and talk to the chair about your interest. Visit our website, tcdemocrats.org, and navigate to “Other Committees.” Choose the one that matches your address and connect to the chair through the links provided.

Our local committees typically run local campaigns, providing money, voter lists and expertise. They will be choosing candidates early in 2021 because primaries will take place in June.

Third, if you have never attended a meeting of the body you hope to join, do so! Most are running Zoom meetings that can be accessed easily through the county, town or city websites.

The county has a meeting portal. City of Ithaca meetings are livestreamed on its YouTube channel. All government entities keep minutes and agendas on their websites.

If you need help, contact the town, city, village or school district clerk for your municipality. Our legislators and supervisors are happy to get new people involved and informed, so don’t be afraid to contact them.

Suppose you are not quite ready to run for office. Your local boards and commissions need you! Depending on where you live, you might join the Dryden Conservation Board or the Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals. You might volunteer for the Ulysses Youth Commission or the Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee.

No matter what your interest or expertise, there’s likely to be a place for you. Check your municipality’s website or call your town or city clerk. Connect, volunteer and help to build the Democratic bench for the future.

Kathy Zahler is the former Director of Communications for the Tompkins County Democratic Committee. See the committee website at www.tcdemocrats.org.