Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5, and early ballots go out Oct. 7.

Here are five critically important reasons why you should vote:

1. Every vote matters. Outcomes have been decided and candidates elected by single digits in previous local elections. Your vote could be the difference in a winning result for a candidate or issue.

2. Not voting silences your voice, letting somebody else choose. When you don’t vote, you silence yourself, resulting in little to no grounds for complaints about government or the inability to effect change. It doesn’t negate your options to share opinions, ask questions or contact your elected representatives, but votes determine whose voice or voices will represent you and make decisions that impact life at every level.

3. Local control. Every year, legislation attempts to take away local control. Some elected representatives feel they should make decisions for us that impact quality of life and quality of place. They think they know better than our own residents and taxpayers.

They create “unfunded mandates” — required actions with no funding mechanism. Propositions mandate requirements that must be met to avoid consequences, including reductions or elimination of funding. They claim to help, but in fact do just the opposite.

If you want a say in how government operates, vote!

4. Informed voters affect change. Facts on candidates and issues are readily available. Seek information, engage candidates, get the facts and make an informed vote.

It’s easy to formulate opinions based on headlines or sound bites, but that’s just veneer. Ask someone whose opinion you trust who follows candidates and issues. Be informed before you vote, and most importantly, vote!

5. Voter turnout directly impacts our future. Voting is one of our most valued rights. Use it. It’s easy. It’s a wise investment of your time, and it makes a difference.

Some things to think about

• The 2026 primary election saw 22,740 votes cast for City Council, representing voter turnout of less than 25%.
• Over the past several years, candidates have been elected outright in the primary election, resulting in final results ahead of the general election.
• In November, four candidates are running for two remaining seats on City Council: incumbents Henry Wade and Vincent Manfredi and newcomers Tena Dugan and Chrystal O’Jon.
• Proposition 414 is approval of Maricopa’s General Plan, the guiding document that helps direct our future growth and development. It must receive voter approval every 10 years. (Our first approval occurred in 2006.)
• Proposition 416 seeks approval to continue the MUSD budget override, which helps fund smaller class sizes with more teachers and staff, technology investment and the RAM Academy, an alternative to traditional classroom instruction. This is a continued tax, not a new one.
• Proposition 320 seeks approval to control how Maricopa Unified School District and others spend the annual operating budget. It requires 60% to be spent on “direct instructional expenses.” What’s not covered: bus transportation, food and lunches, counselors and counseling services, janitorial services, utilities, professional development, school resource officers and other expenses.

Get the facts. Learn about the candidates and the issues. Vote!

Thank you.

Peg Chapados
Former Maricopa Vice Mayor & City Councilmember