Town of Sweden Democratic Committee

Neighbors Working with Neighbors

Our Mission

We build a stronger community by working for a fair and bright future for every neighbor in the Town of Sweden. Count on us to roll up our sleeves, empower you as Town voters, and to organize to build a better community for all our neighbors.

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Why Bother?

Why bother going to all the trouble of voting when it’s unlikely that my candidates will win?

We all have heard that and maybe felt that way.

The even bigger question posed to candidates is “Why run?” when the numbers are not in your favor. You will probably lose the election, but you absolutely will lose a huge amount of family and leisure time and money while gaining stress and sometimes generating hostility. Some among us are aiming for higher office, fame, and fortune, but the vast majority of local candidates deeply believe in the democratic process, feel they can make a contribution and believe citizens should have a choice.

Elections change communities in ways that go far beyond the vote count. Elections force conversations about issues that those in power might want to ignore or perhaps don’t even know about. Options can be proposed and debated that might never see the light of day without an opponent asking questions. Once an issue is talked about the possibility exists of a new approach, and that can be revolutionary.

Elections also change candidates. Going door-to-door forces candidates to go outside their bubble or echo chamber of like-thinking neighbors. Most people are polite, but there is also honesty at front doors. Any candidate worth their salt learns about the people in their district, and win or lose, their life is enriched with stories shared.

So yes, voting your values makes a difference, because your existence can not be denied, and once said out loud alternative perspectives can not be erased. Your candidate may not be the one implementing the change you espoused, and it may take longer than you wished, but the possibility for change is greater because you chose to vote and be counted. That is why the Sweden Democratic Committee celebrates Election Day every year, and also promotes civic engagement every day of every year.

Karen LoBracco, leader of the Sweden Democratic Committee November 7, 2021

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker