The hottest Local Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

ACX Local Voting Guides

Astral Codex Ten • 4198 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Local Politics Political parties
  1. Local voting guides are available for various cities, helping voters understand their options. Each city offers unique insights and recommendations based on local issues.
  2. Cities like Austin and Boston have put a lot of thought into their guides, even discussing candidates who may not fit typical party lines. This can help voters make better choices.
  3. Voting decisions can be influenced by community discussions and guides, highlighting important issues and candidate positions in a way that's easy to digest.

Civic Life Kinda Sucks

Unpopular Front • 101 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Civic engagement Political theory Progressivism Local Politics
  1. Civic engagement can feel disappointing, as many people want to help but find it hard to be heard in group settings. Good intentions sometimes don't lead to real community connection.
  2. People often feel that political clubs and organizations can be unwelcoming, making it hard for newcomers to share their ideas or feel valued. This can lead to disillusionment.
  3. Writing and expressing opinions online can sometimes be more rewarding than traditional civic involvement. Many find that they prefer this quick way to participate rather than struggling with local politics.

Post Out of Order

David Friedman’s Substack • 251 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Analysis Party Dynamics Local Politics
  1. The author usually posts every three days but chose to share something out of the usual schedule. It's okay to mix things up sometimes!
  2. A specific news story showed surprising voting trends in New York neighborhoods, especially regarding Trump. It suggests that Democrats may need to rethink their strategies.
  3. The author humorously implies that New York Democrats should seek advice from Chicago to better understand voter turnout. It's a playful way to highlight unexpected election results.

Don't Blame National Politics for Missouri's Woes

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 656 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics Political parties
  1. Missouri's woes cannot solely be blamed on national politics, but rather on the GOP supermajority that has held power for two decades
  2. State politics, especially local representatives, have a significant impact on Missourians' daily lives, such as funding for schools and road maintenance
  3. Republican state legislators in Missouri have restricted local control in Democratic cities, impacting areas like minimum wage requirements and police department oversight

"Straight Men Yell at Us"

Men Yell at Me • 504 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBTQ Rights Political Climate Social justice Human Rights Local Politics
  1. Homophobia and harassment are still serious issues, even in places that seem progressive. People in the LGBTQ+ community frequently face threats and discrimination.
  2. It's important for allies to speak up and take action when they see hate or harassment happening. Silence from witnesses can make the situation worse.
  3. Voting and activism are crucial for protecting vulnerable communities. Everyone should get involved and support efforts for equality and justice.
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Held Hostage-the undoing of an American city

Disaffected Newsletter • 1039 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics Activism Democracy Racial Issues
  1. The episode discusses the decline of representative democracy in Burlington, Vermont. The city council meeting was filled with chaos, showing a troubling trend in how discussions are held.
  2. There was intense pressure and outbursts from activists during the meeting, which can threaten the democratic process. It's important to pay attention to how community discussions are taking shape.
  3. The reaction of local politicians to align with radical voices raises concerns about their motivations and the future of governance. It's crucial for citizens to stand up and be aware of these issues before they escalate.

Most important episode of Disaffected yet

Disaffected Newsletter • 779 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Civil Rights Local Politics Media Activism
  1. A man in Burlington, Vermont is being prosecuted for putting up stickers that share his views on gender identity. The stickers express beliefs like 'No one was born into the wrong body.'
  2. The city is taking action against him while ignoring other stickers that promote violence against people who disagree with transgender views.
  3. The episode aims to highlight the differences in how authorities respond to various forms of expression related to this topic.

Disaffected: Episode 147

Disaffected Newsletter • 559 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Public Policy Local Politics Cultural Issues
  1. There's a look into how local government processes can get tangled up in personal issues, costing taxpayers money and time. It's surprising how one person's demands can affect so many.
  2. The episode compares the local situation to a Maoist takeover, suggesting that extreme cultural changes can happen in American cities without people noticing. It warns that similar issues could arise in other communities too.
  3. It raises concerns about the balance between personal identity and government resources, questioning how far local government should go to accommodate individual requests. It's an important topic for every community to think about.

PREMIERE: Fair Game

Disaffected Newsletter • 339 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics LGBTQ+ Issues Public Policy Activism Government
  1. A new resolution in Burlington, Vermont, supports the LGBTQIA+ community but has also sparked controversy and accusations against local community members.
  2. Public comments during the council meeting included serious accusations, with some residents claiming that LGBTQIA advocates are harmful to children and calling for severe actions against them.
  3. The episode will detail the intense discussions and claim threats made against individuals who oppose the resolution, highlighting a significant divide in the community.

"O Lord make my enemies ridiculous"

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 157 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Local Politics Elections Media Government
  1. Political dynamics in local politics can be analyzed in terms of factions and movements rather than individual candidates.
  2. Transparency and accountability are crucial in local government, especially regarding police misconduct.
  3. Remaining vigilant and condemning acts of intimidation in politics is essential for maintaining a fair and just democratic process.

The Democracy Reforms Transforming Local Politics

theconnector • 137 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics Civic engagement
  1. Participatory budgeting and citizen juries are empowering local communities to make decisions about budget allocations.
  2. Local government initiatives like Decatur 101 and CivicLex are improving communication and engagement between residents and local government.
  3. Promoting civic engagement can lead to positive changes in communities, and individuals have the power to champion democratic reforms.

HOAs are really good, actually

Something to Consider • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Libertarianism Local Politics Property Rights
  1. Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) can be better than local governments because they allow residents to agree on rules that everyone follows, promoting cooperation. This means people can manage shared resources and maintain property values together.
  2. Many people choose to live in HOAs because they like the value and amenities these communities offer. Studies show that residents are willing to pay more for homes in these organized neighborhoods.
  3. Critics of HOAs often overlook that local governments can have similar restrictions, and people have a choice in whether to move into an HOA. This shows that voluntary agreements can work well for communities.

Why I’m Taking A Break From Twitter

Matt’s Five Points • 459 implied HN points • 03 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Political engagement Political theory Local Politics Cognitive Bias
  1. Social media, like Twitter, can make people more like 'spectators' of politics rather than active participants. Many focus on national issues and forget about local politics that also matter.
  2. People tend to only seek out information that supports what they already believe, which can limit real thinking and understanding. This 'soldier mindset' can be reinforced by the way social media works.
  3. Multitasking caused by constant notifications from apps can reduce our ability to focus and really think about things deeply. Setting aside time to read and write can help bring back that focus.

Chapter 2: What YIMBYs Actually Do | Building YIMBYs of NoVA

Cornerstone • 59 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Advocacy Elections Media Community Local Politics
  1. YIMBY organizations focus on grassroots activism, engaging everyday people in advocating for policies that increase housing supply.
  2. YIMBY groups engage in different types of advocacy, including grassroots activism, grasstops advocacy, electoral politics, and advocacy through the news media.
  3. Having a clear campaign or 'MacGuffin' to organize around is crucial for YIMBY groups, helping them rally support, increase visibility, and drive their advocacy efforts.

The Future is Local

Reboot • 22 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Service Elections Local Politics Policy
  1. The future is about engaging in local communities and local politics, even if less glamorous than pursuing opportunities in tech hotspots.
  2. Religion can play a significant role in shaping worldviews and motivating individuals to engage in public service and local civic life.
  3. Finding your own path to civic engagement may involve unexpected detours, exploring diverse interests, and being open to advice while ultimately making decisions that align with your values and passions.

How Universities Influence Local and Regional Politics

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influence Local Politics Regional politics Higher education
  1. Universities have a significant impact on the local and regional politics of the communities they are located in.
  2. Elite universities not only influence local politics but also shape national conversations, policies, and even political leadership.
  3. Universities are not just influenced by the broader societal forces, but they also actively contribute to shaping the political landscape of their communities, creating a mutual and dynamic relationship.

Shoe Leather

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigning Elections Voter Engagement Local Politics Political strategy
  1. Local elections often rely on door-to-door campaigning because there are usually no polls to guide candidates. This means candidates must use their personal connections and intuition to gauge their chances.
  2. Campaigning for local office requires different skills than running for higher offices. Candidates need to be comfortable talking to people face-to-face rather than just asking for money.
  3. When candidates knock on doors, people should feel free to ask them questions. It can reveal the candidate's honesty and help voters decide if they want to support them.

On political donations

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Finance Election Strategy Local Politics Political Impact Political engagement
  1. When donating to political campaigns, small donations help candidates show broad support, while big donors provide most of the funding. So, if you give a small amount, it mainly helps them look good in statistics.
  2. Local and state elections often have a bigger impact on daily life than national ones. Your money can go further in local races, like school board elections, which can be decided by a small number of votes.
  3. Many people focus too much on national politics, forgetting that local issues are often more important for their communities. If you want to make a real difference, consider running for a local position like the school board.

Off-Year

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Government Political Science Local Politics
  1. Local elections often happen in off-years, away from federal and state elections. This can change how people vote and participate.
  2. Sarah Anzia has researched how these off-year elections affect politics and voters' decisions. Her work provides useful insights.
  3. Understanding these local elections can help us see the bigger picture of how policies and interests play out in communities.