Local elected officials make decisions that can have a direct impact on the communities they represent, from housing and transportation to parks, roads, and neighborhood development.
Local representatives are elected to represent and advocate for the interests and concerns of their constituents. Knowing who represents your community can give residents a direct point of contact when they want to see an issue addressed, while also allowing them to follow the decisions officials make and hold them accountable.
Still, local government can sometimes feel distant or difficult to navigate, especially for residents who do not regularly follow local politics.
Some community members feel knowing their representatives is important because of the role they play in advocating for their communities. Araceli Flores, 22, said residents should know who represents them, but representatives should also make an effort to ensure their constituents know who they are.
“I know it’s important for me to know, but also the fact that I have to seek out this info instead of already knowing means our representatives aren’t doing enough to let it be known that they are actively making the effort themselves,” Flores said.
Flores was not the only respondent who raised concerns about communication from local representatives. Lizbeth Calderon, 22, said officials could “improve the information being distributed.”
Caroline Hinojosa, 20, also pointed to accountability as a reason residents should know their local representatives.
“Yes, because they directly impact our community. By knowing who they are and the actions they take, it will allow us to hold them accountable & make informed [decisions],” Hinojosa said.
South Kern Sol asked residents what they would like to see improved in their communities and why they believe knowing their local representatives is important.
Here’s what they had to say:
Michael Guillory, 21
What is one thing you would like to see improved in Bakersfield?
“I would like public transportation to improve because realistically our public transportation isn’t the greatest. They are almost always late in their schedules and they are not that reliable, so maybe at least notify potential passengers when they will be late.
“I also believe they should make their routes go towards schools, like elementary, junior high and high schools, because for a lot of families transportation is quite limited and owning, using and maintaining a car is expensive, especially now.
“This could be done by changing current routes that have little to no people riding in them that could be repurposed to help. I would also extend the hours of running, but that is not as important to me.”
Allister, 21, healthcare worker
What is one thing you would like to see improved in Bakersfield?
“Planting more trees downtown so it becomes more walkable.”
What is one thing you would like to see improved in Bakersfield?
“More things to do.”
Do you think knowing your local representatives is important? Why or why not?
“Yes, because their job is to help us + our city.”
Bridge Steward, 24, install technician
What is one thing you would like to see improved in Bakersfield?
“Affordable housing.”
Do you think knowing your local representatives is important? Why or why not?
“Yes, because local elections are generally more influential than voting in the primary.”
Lizbeth Calderon, 22
What is one thing you would like to see improved in Bakersfield
“Improve the information being distributed.”
Although respondents differed in how much they knew about Bakersfield’s local government, many agreed on the importance of knowing the people who represent them.
Several respondents specifically mentioned accountability. Others pointed to the need for local representatives to make themselves and information about their work more visible to the communities they serve.
Their answers also showed that residents have clear ideas about what they would like to see improved in their communities. Respondents brought up affordable housing, public transportation, recreational spaces, walkability, trees, and concerns about agricultural chemicals.
Local elected officials are meant to represent the interests and concerns of their constituents. For residents, knowing who those officials are can make it easier to know where to turn when they want something in their neighborhood addressed.