By Rogette Harris

The political world looks incredibly bleak these days. The government didn't shut down this time, but stalemate still dominates in Washington D.C. and Harrisburg.

Rogette Harris (PennLive file photo)

We're still waiting on commonsense immigration reform, a raise in the minimum wage, higher paying jobs, ending systematic racism, gender equality, making debt-free college a reality, securing universal health care, real action on climate change, and a host of other challenges that confront our country that require immediate attention.

So why vote on Tuesday when it seems like nothing is being accomplished?

I'll tell you why. You vote because every election matters and the candidates that win will matter. You vote because elections are more than just about your individual representatives in Washington, state representative or who is president.

Who you choose on Election Day to lead your local and county governments -- whether as our county judge, township supervisor or commissioner, mayor, city council member, or even school board member will have a serious direct impact on your life, your loved ones and your community.

Voting does matter and has a lasting impact on all of our lives. Take for instance the 8 statewide judicial candidates on the ballot. Whoever gets elected on Tuesday will almost surely serve for life.

And if anything has been proven this past year, the courts are our democracy's last line of defense against ill-willed policies and legislation.

When voters don't turn out to vote, they receive a government that doesn't represent them. Consider all the uproar and protests against police officers shooting and ultimately killing unarmed black men and women. Community groups and activists continue to loudly protest and complain about police and community relationships, the lack of accountability in police departments, and the lack of reform in our criminal justice system.

A lot of these local governments and police departments aren't responding to these community requests and needs. One could argue it's because the majority of the community didn't vote to represent their needs. Answer these questions: Who hires the police officers?

The police chief. Who hires the police chief? The mayor. Who hires the mayor? Who elects the council?" The answer is clear -- the voters.

I recently saw the movie "Marshall," which is based on an early court case of Thurgood Marshall, who later became the country's first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Set in 1941, the movie follows Marshall -- then the NAACP's only lawyer -- as he is dispatched to Bridgeport, Connecticut, to defend a black chauffeur named Joseph Spell after Spell is accused of raping and attempting to murder the wife of his well-heeled employer. At every turn, Marshall encounters prejudice starting with the judge who refuses to let him speak in court.

"Marshall" is an important story to see right now, as it gives true historical context to the U.S.'s racism that existed throughout the country - even in the regions in which racism was not viewed as a prevalent problem.

Although it is unpopular to say, things have not changed as much as people would like to believe, and the events that led up to that court case in the movie may not be as unique to 1941 as people would like to believe, either.

I mention this movie, because it's a reminder of another reason to vote. It wasn't until 1965 (only 52 years ago) that the Voting Rights Act was passed which was aimed to overcome legal barriers put in place on local and state levels to keep African-Americans from voting.

Even today, we continue to fight for voting rights and against laws, such as voter I.D. and other initiatives to keep people from voting. So many sacrificed for the opportunities we have today and we should honor their sacrifice by voting.

It's easy to forget that local elections matter--frankly, it's easy to forget that local elections even happen.

But there is no such thing as an "off year election."

The news may not cover local/county elections as much, and we aren't constantly bombarded with negative political ads (this is a good thing!).

The chances of any of our local or county candidates being portrayed by Tina Fey or Alec Baldwin on SNL is pretty much non-existent. However, if you want the pot holes on the street in front of your house fixed, concerns about your property taxes, child's education and/or your trash picked up - you better start voting in these local elections

Congress and Harrisburg may be as unproductive as ever, but the health and prosperity of our communities isn't determined solely by them. Every eligible and registered voter must turn out to vote on Tuesday and every Election Day for the community to be respected and represented.

Make your voice heard on Nov. 7 - Vote.

Rogette Harris, the chairwoman of Dauphin County Democrats, is a PennLive Opinion contributor. Her work appears monthly.