Election brings opportunity to get involved

The names on the ballot aren't likely to change between now and the November 6 general election - at least in Illinois, one of just two states that have held primary elections so far this year - but the time until Election Day offers business owners a not-to-be-missed opportunity to begin an involvement that eventually can make their voices heard.

There will, of course, be another national election in 2020. The next local election - which Illinois labels as consolidated elections - is April 2, 2019. These elections typically are for the school board, municipal offices, park district and the like.

Although they normally are not national party events, for many people local elections often are more important: The potholes in the street or the need to expand the library can matter more than otherwise esoteric legislation in Congress.

That perhaps makes this November's election a good time to get involved. Ultimately, for example, you might want to run for office. Even though your next opportunity doesn't show on the calendar until April 2019, volunteering to help with this November's election is a good way to become known in local political circles.

There typically are plenty of issues:

• Schools almost always stir debate. Safety obviously is the current hot button, but budgets (think construction, salaries and curriculum) are perennial discussion points.

• There may be too many empty stores downtown. And what about the virtually empty shopping center? Sales tax dollars, jobs and blight are issues. How do we fix those problems?

• The highly respected Elgin Symphony Orchestra recently ran out of money and faced canceling its final concert, though an emergency fundraising effort brought in needed dollars. That's probably not an election issue, but for many it may be a question of spending priorities - often an election issue.

How do you get involved? Be guided by the fact that every campaign needs foot soldiers, then think about some of Mark Walker's ideas.

Walker, an Arlington Heights resident who is running in hopes of recapturing his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, suggests beginning with the local Chamber of Commerce, which, Walker says, normally is "very focused on issues pertaining to small businesses."

If your issues are less business oriented, "Investigate the different possibilities for volunteering," Walker says. Call your state representative, whoever represents your district in Congress (or their opponents, depending on whose ideas best match yours), and explore the volunteering opportunities.

Not all opportunities are glamorous, but all are necessary to winning elections. Phone banks are big. Knocking on doors and handing out literature matters. Hosting a candidate meet-and-greet helps. So do yard signs. So do checks.

Send candidate postcards to your friends. March in the July 4 parade. Help register new voters.

Both Republicans and Democrats generally have county chairpersons who should be able to suggest ways you can become involved. Both parties typically also have state central committee chairs in each Congressional District, another connection.

• © 2018 Kendall Communications Inc. Follow Jim Kendall on LinkedIn and Twitter. Write him at Jim@kendallcom.com. Read Jim's Business Owners' Blog at www.kendallcom.com.