Susan Fuhrer

Students listening to a political candidate talk about the values shes running for

In an era marked by political polarization and declining trust in institutions, Citizens of Metea hosted their annual candidate fair to combat these issues by encouraging branching out and talking to different candidates to become informed voters.

According to the Pew Research center public trust in the federal government remains near historic lows, with only 17% of Americans saying they trust the government to do what is right most of the time. 

At the same time, data from the Statista shows that younger voters consistently show lower rates than older age groups, with only a 48% voter turnout from people ages 18-24 compared to the national average of 61.3%.

To take action against these dismal statistics, Citizens of Metea hosted their annual candidate fair, encouraging students to be more politically informed and look at all candidates before being set on who they choose to vote for. To aid this, bingo cards were handed out to encourage students to talk with as many candidates as possible and to learn about their values. 

Being politically informed is a basis of any civically engaged person; knowing the values of those on the ballot, whether they are in your party or not, is the first step to reducing political polarization. 

“Try to educate yourself about everyone,” a commissioner for DuPage County’s forest preserve, Barbara O’Meara, said. “Don’t do just one party… Look them up, go to their website, see who you agree with.”

Research from the Pew Research Center shows that Americans who regularly engage with people who hold different political views are more likely to better understand opposing perspectives, which can soften partisan hostility. When individuals take time to research their ballot, attend local meetings, or have respectful discussions across party lines, they move beyond headlines and partisan sound bites. That kind of outreach fosters understanding, strengthens democratic participation, and helps shift the political climate from one driven by tribalism to one focused on informed decision-making and shared solutions. 

“It was never meant that we’re not going to work together… we might not agree… but we’re supposed to come together,” the president of DuPage County’s forest preserve, Daniel Hebreard, said.

While national elections receive the most attention, local offices directly impact daily life, from land conservation to public safety and tax spending. 

“People getting engaged is really critical for democracy, and it matters at every level, whether it is a school board, forest reserve, states, or federal,” Hebreard said.

In a time when political conversations can feel overwhelming or divisive, staying informed, verifying what you read, reaching out, and participating helps reduce political friction and supports movement in policies on the issues we value.