America Votes Director Urges Midterm Voters to Focus on Local Ballots

The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, and two advocates for civic engagement are pushing voters to look past presidential headlines. Claudia Jordan, a media personality, and Daria C. Dawson, the executive director of America Votes, appeared on The Morning Hustle with host JeremiahLikeTheBible to discuss the mechanics of voting. They argued that political decisions directly shape daily routines, from what is served in schools to how food is inspected.

Dawson emphasized that officials elected at the local level often wield the most immediate influence. She noted that school board members determine curriculum and phone policies, while secretaries of state manage election administration. These positions typically receive less media coverage than federal races. Dawson connected this lack of attention to efforts to limit voter access. She asked, “If your vote did not actually have value, why are they trying to suppress it?”

Jordan expanded the scope to include judicial races and the state of Texas. She raised concerns about biased judges and the silencing of voters in local counties. The conversation also touched on federal oversight, with Dawson linking the work of food safety inspectors to recent product recalls. Those recalls involved beef, butter, and lettuce. The pair further discussed how public health measures became politicized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jordan challenged the common belief that politics is separate from daily life. She stated, “When people say ‘I don’t do politics,’ I’m like, ‘Well, politics will do you.'”

To help voters prepare, Dawson and Jordan recommended voting early and planning ahead. They suggested writing choices on paper because phones are frequently restricted at polling sites. They also pointed to nonpartisan resources like Vote 411, which explains ballot measures. For those facing intimidation at the polls, they provided the hotline number 1-866-OUR-VOTE.