IGNITE's Blog

Local and state elections are always happening, but they are not covered by the media as much as presidential elections are.

The Local Politics 101 blog series zeroes in on the role of several local and state-level elected officials, including mayors and governors. These officials have a substantial impact on our lives. Voting for local and state-level candidates means getting a step closer to addressing or resolving important issues. Learn more about what state attorneys general are, what they do, and how you can become one. 

Once elections pass and newly elected officials are sworn into office, that’s when our representatives get to work. But if you follow politics especially at the local level, you might hear titles being thrown around like “Commissioner” and “Lieutenant Governor”. What do those titles really mean? And what powers do those positions or offices hold? Keep reading to learn more about elected officials and offices at the state/local levels.

In this election year, more women ran for office than ever before. We should all take a moment to celebrate those who ran and have inspired the next generation of leaders. Some of the many womxn who ran just made history by becoming the “firsts” at the congressional and state levels. Keep reading to learn more about the women in politics who made history in this election.

Being a good leader when you’re young can seem daunting, but don’t let your age stop you from being the best leader you can be. Whether you’re in politics, activism or in school, being a leader in your community can open doors and better prepare you for your future. If you are looking to step into a leadership position or already serving in one, check out these tips to be even more effective and successful. 

Stacey Yvonne Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, serving as minority leader from 2011 to 2017. Here's a timeline of key moments in Abrams’ career. 

A record number of women ran for office in 2020, surpassing the record set in the 2018 midterm election. Many women have won up and down the ballot including Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. 26 non-incumbent women have been elected so far as a result of the 2020 election—9 Democrats and 17 Republicans. Check out some of the firsts in the 117th Congress who will be sworn in on January 3, 2021. 

If you’ve been listening to the news, or even just scrolling through social media, you’ve probably been seeing a lot about Georgia and the “Senate runoff”. It may have been the first time you’ve heard the phrase “runoff” being used in the political realm. What are these runoffs everyone keeps talking about? Who is part of the runoff? Keep reading to learn more about what runoffs are and what’s at stake for both parties.

Curious about running for office? Maybe you’ve wanted to get into politics for a while now, or maybe the election lit a fire inside you. Whatever it is, congratulations! We need more women with political ambition to rise and follow this dream. Less than a quarter of elected officials are women and the numbers are even lower for women of color.

Young womxn in politics are using their political power to make a difference in their community and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Check out this list of 30 womxn under 30 who are either running for office or are currently in office.