Candidates should know: Kansans don’t owe you their votes. You have to work for them.

Kansas has a problem: entitlement. More specifically, Kansas voters have the problem of going to the ballot box each election to vote for candidates who haven’t shown any interest in working for their votes; candidates who seem to feel entitled to their electoral victory after having sent out a few mailers but with no real interaction with the voters they aim to represent.

More and more each election season, it has become common for candidate forums and town halls to have empty chairs where the elected official contender is supposed to be.

Here in Wichita, I attended several forums for both the school board race and the mayoral race in advance of the Nov. 7 elections. While both mayoral candidates seem to usually understand the importance of showing up for their community, the same cannot be said for the school board candidates. Of the school board forums I attended, only one candidate showed up for all three vacancies. It is shameful that these absent candidates preach classroom transparency on their campaign website and mailers, but don’t respect the voters enough to treat their candidacy with the same consideration.

These public forums are used to better educate voters both on what the elected position entails, and the different policy stances each candidate takes, thus making it more and more challenging for everyday Wichitans to have a greater understanding of their vote when most of the candidates fail to attend. These elected officials are chosen by their constituencies to make policy decisions on their behalf.

These people are supposed to be representing us, acting on our best interests, but how can they do that when they do not show up? 

One may argue that voters can learn all they need to know from the website and mailers sent by candidates, especially when the offices they are seeking are smaller local positions, but it is these very offices that have a stronghold on the policies we are most directly affected by. Whether it be the quality of our schools or how the police engage with our community, it is local office holders that have the most direct decision making on the policies that impact our everyday life.

When a candidate is running on a specific platform, they should be ready to both elaborate on their position and defend it. When their future constituency calls on them to attend a forum, debate, or meet and greet, they should be prepared to attend, or lose their election. 

We the people, your constituents, your community members, deserve better.

A question for candidates: Why would voters expect you to accurately represent them when you do not take the time to show up and hear their thoughts and concerns during the campaign trail? A message for all voters: Voting is the main way for you and your community to show up and have your voice heard about policies and decisions made that most directly affect you.

Regardless of who you vote for, voting, especially in local elections, is imperative for the change you want to see in your city. When we fail to turn out to vote, it only shows candidates that they don’t need to engage with their constituents to win an election.

Logan Byrd is the Wichita community organizer for Loud Light, a Kansas-based nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase youth civic engagement. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.