For a couple years of my life, I lived in Russia. It’s an amazing place. The cultures are beautiful, the weather is harsh. The people are astonishingly tough and warm at the same time. I loved my time there, and I hope I get to go back someday.
But even so, every day that I think about Russia, I am so grateful I live in The United States.
In Russia, elections exist on paper but not in practice. Citizens there learn early that their vote doesn’t really change anything. I saw firsthand what happens when people stop believing their voices matter. Over time, apathy replaces hope, and decisions are made by the few instead of the many.
That experience changed how I see voting — especially in local elections.
Here in Bountiful, we’re fortunate to live in a city where people do have a say in what happens. Our votes decide who manages growth, how tax dollars are spent, and what kind of community we want to be. It’s easy to underestimate the power of local elections, but they’re the ones that shape our daily lives the most. From road repairs and parks to small business support and public safety, the people we elect make decisions that ripple through every neighborhood.
That idea — your vote can truly make a difference — is amazing.
In Russia, people often felt powerless because they were. Here, we have real influence, but sometimes we give it away by staying silent. Local elections often draw far fewer voters than state or national races, even though the outcomes affect us just as deeply. A handful of votes can determine who sits on the city council, who represents your neighborhood, and what priorities guide the next few years.
Voting locally isn’t just a civic duty — it’s an act of care. It says you value your community enough to participate in its direction. It’s how we make sure Bountiful remains a place where people feel heard, where decisions are made in the open, and where we keep building on the values that make this city special.
Election Day is this coming Tuesday. You have the choice to vote. I’ve seen what it looks like when people don’t have that choice. And I hope that here in Bountiful we never take for granted that we do.
