Courtesy omahawomensfund.org
In a world of campaign slogans and bold promises, how often do politicians actually follow through once elected? The answer might surprise you—and it also reveals why your local elections might be more powerful than you think.
On the national stage, campaign promises often become casualties of legislative gridlock, political opposition, or shifting priorities.
Studies show U.S. presidents do keep a significant portion of their promises—when conditions allow. For example, President Obama fully kept or made progress on many of his campaign promises, especially during his first term, when Democrats controlled Congress (PolitiFact Obameter).
Similarly, President Trump kept about 23% of his promises outright, with another 22% partially fulfilled, according to PolitiFact’s Trump-O-Meter. But 53% were labeled “broken,” largely due to opposition in Congress or judicial rulings.
In short:
Presidents and Congress members can fulfill promises, but only when the stars align politically.While national politics capture headlines, local and state officials often have more direct control over the issues that shape your daily life—like education, housing, public safety, and transit.
What’s more, local governments are more transparent. You can attend city council meetings, speak at school board hearings, or even schedule time with your mayor. These forums are rarely available in national politics.
That means local officials are closer to the people they serve—and more easily held accountable.
For example, in Omaha, Nebraska, voters recently elected John Ewing Jr. as the city’s first Black mayor, marking a historic shift fueled by grassroots mobilization and high engagement at the local level (Washington Post).
Did you know that turnout in local elections can be as low as 10%?
That means your vote counts more than in national elections, where tens of millions cast ballots. A small group of committed citizens can sway a local race, change a school board, or elect a new district attorney.
And the stakes? Huge.
City Council: Controls local budgets, zoning, and ordinances.
Mayor: Oversees city departments, emergency response, and public policy.
District Attorney (DA): Decides what crimes to prosecute—and what to dismiss.
Sheriff: Manages local jails and has broad discretion in law enforcement.
School Board: Sets education priorities, curriculum, and hires superintendents.
State Legislators: Draft laws on healthcare, education, housing, and voting rights.
Secretary of State (in many states): Oversees elections and voting laws.
Attorney General: Enforces state laws and often challenges or defends federal actions.
If you’re frustrated with broken promises or inaction, there are steps you can take—especially at the local level.
Use tools like PolitiFact and BallotReady to monitor what officials promised versus what they’ve delivered.
Attend public meetings. Ask questions. Demand transparency. Many cities stream meetings online, and public comment is often open to all.
Some cities use participatory budgeting, where residents decide how to spend portions of the city’s budget. Get involved and shape how your tax dollars are used.
Don’t just vote and forget. Follow local media, subscribe to newsletters, and stay connected with community groups doing civic work.
If you’re serious about accountability, consider supporting or advocating for:
Open records laws (aka FOIA): These give citizens access to internal government documents.
Campaign finance transparency: See who is funding your local candidates through OpenSecrets.
Independent watchdog journalism: Local outlets and nonprofits like ProPublica play a critical role in uncovering misconduct.
While national elections may feel like the Super Bowl of politics, local elections are where your voice has real, immediate power.
You can attend meetings, know your representatives by name, and influence outcomes with a few dozen neighbors. Local officials are more likely to fulfill promises—because they know you’re watching, and they know where you live.
If you want more accountability in politics, start by focusing your energy locally.
Want to make a difference?
Start with your next school board meeting or city council election. That’s where democracy lives.