why city council matters

You’ve probably heard it before: “All politics is local.”

And it’s true. The decisions made by Ellensburg City Council affect your daily life far more directly than anything happening in Washington, D.C.

From street lighting and sidewalks to housing, zoning, and public safety—City Council shapes the experience of living, working, studying, and growing in Ellensburg. If you care about this town and the people in it, then you should care about who’s at the table making those decisions.

What Does the City Council Actually Do?

Sets the city budget—deciding how tax dollars are spent
Oversees infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity
Guides policies on housing, development, and land use
Makes decisions that impact renters, students, families, and local businesses
Approves plans for public safety, transportation, and emergency services
Appoints members to boards and commissions (like Planning and Parks & Rec)
Passes ordinances that can affect everything from parking rules to environmental protections

In short, the Council makes decisions that affect where you live, how you live, and what kind of future we’re building together.

Why It Matters—Especially in a College Town

If you’re a student at CWU, you might not think of yourself as a “local.” But while you’re here, you’re part of this community. You use city services, pay rent, shop locally, and shape the culture of Ellensburg.

Voting in City Council elections is a way to:

Have a say in how your rent, transit options, and neighborhood safety are handled
Push for more inclusive policies that reflect your values
Support leaders who understand the needs of young people, renters, and working families
Make Ellensburg a place that works for everyone—not just a few

Why Your Vote Matters

Local elections often come down to just a few hundred votes—or even fewer. That means your vote isn’t just symbolic—it’s powerful.

In years without a big national election, turnout drops. But that’s exactly when your voice can make the biggest difference. City Council elections are often decided by people who show up when others don’t.

So if you’ve ever looked around and thought:

“Why is rent so high here?”
“Why don’t we have more housing options?”
“Why isn’t the bus more reliable?”
“Why doesn’t the city listen to students or working families?”

Voting in your local election is how you start changing those answers.

Be Heard. Be Counted. Be Part of the Change.

Whether you’ve lived here for 20 years or just moved in last fall—you deserve a say in the future of Ellensburg. Voting for City Council is one of the most powerful, immediate ways to shape the place you call home.

This isn’t about politics-as-usual. It’s about our roads, our housing, our air, our lives.
It’s about who gets to be heard—and who gets left out.

Let’s build a city that works for all of us.
Vote. And get a friend to vote too.