Election and Politics Fatigue

Posted on October 12, 2012

Does anyone else suffer from political fatigue during election season? I don’t mean the visceral dislike we all have for political commercials, during an election year. I mean the fatigue those of us who are working on and supporting local candidates, on shoestring budgets, feel.

To understand this feeling you must be deeply vested in local politics. Yes, I know. You’re thinking, “all politics is local.” Uh no. It’s not. National campaigns are directed by professional consultants, who have studied national trends and can craft a message for any state, county or city. Local campaigns are run from candidate’s homes or offices, by their families, friends and constituents who believe they can represent us on a larger scale.

Most candidates do not have deep pockets and use savings, take out loans and rely strongly on supporter to raise every dollar. The donations are accounted for, to the last penny, to maximize their impact. And, since many of us are struggling with the current economy, donations are fewer and far between.

So, we take to the streets and run old-fashioned, grassroots campaigns, where we ask voters, face-to-face for their vote, while we explain why we are supporting our candidate. The most frustrating part, is that so many people have no idea who is running in local races, even though those candidates’ views and decisions will impact them, immediately.

I recall canvassing many years ago, as a college student, before the internet and social media. Walking and talking to voters was the best way to share our message. Now, we can reach many more people, instantaneously, with an email blast, tweet or Facebook post. However, I believe we have lost something – the sense of connecting the voter with the candidate, directly. I feel like I’m working just as hard, using more communication vehicles, but not reaching as many people, and I’m tired.

I still want my candidates to win and will continue to work to get them elected, knowing how gratifying it is when your “guy/gal” wins. I’ll just need a longer nap, after election day.