Empowering Marietta Citizens

The Challenge of Civic Engagement

We just had a national election. One key takeaway from the presidential elections is that even though there was high turnover, significant amounts of citizens chose not to vote (including myself). I have my personal reasons for why I chose not to. I'm not proud of it. I do believe it is every American's duty to vote for the future of the country. However, I felt that my voice was not represented by either candidate which caused me to go back and forth about what I should do.

Despite high voter turnout in recent elections, there remains a gap in civic participation, with nearly a quarter of registered voters not casting ballots (Barton, 2025). This indicates a need for sustained efforts to engage citizens and foster a culture of active civic participation.

I'm certain several other people have had similar issues as me this past election. I know in the past, Democrats made a strong effort in Marietta to get people to get out and vote. I think the 2024 elections was just a tough election. However, that's no excuse for lack of civic engagement or equitable representation. Cobb County, and frankly every county in the nation, needs to empower communities with civic engagement.

Recently, Commissioner Jerica Richardson was removed from office due to legal disputes over district maps which has left a significant portion of the community without representation (Parker, 2025). This situation underscores the need for stable and inclusive governance structures that ensure all citizens have a voice in local decisions.

Empowering the Youth

I had an absolute honor of attending South Cobb High School's Magnet White Coat Ceremony for the first time on March 13, 2025. This experience was empowering. Parents, family, and friends came out to support each other and each other's students for a common goal of fast-tracking education and building tomorrow's leaders. Many of the students graduating are planning to become doctors and researchers - extremely important for the community. It creates a sense of togetherness and helps invest in the children who will maintain the city in the future.

References

Barton, I. (2025, March 10). Empowering Communities Through Civic Engagement. Georgia Family Connection Partnership. https://gafcp.org/2025/03/10/empowering-communities-through-civic-engagement/

Parker, W. (2025, February 5). Richardson removed from office after appeals court rejection. East Cobb News. https://eastcobbnews.com/richardson-removed-from-office-after-appeals-court-rejection/