Public Policy Is in Your Toothpaste

Let’s pretend it’s Monday, November 2, 2026.

You wake up earlier than usual because your body hasn’t adjusted to daylight saving time yet. You get dressed, brush your teeth, and drive to work. You work eight hours, take a lunch break, and stop at the grocery store on your way home. You bring the groceries inside, take the trash to the curb, and wind down – a typical day.

I bet you didn’t realize how many local ordinances, state laws, and federal regulations shaped your typical Monday.

Your clocks changed because of The Uniform Time Act of 1966. The toothpaste you used is subject to the FDA’s labeling requirements. On your drive to work, your seatbelt, the speed limit, and the number of potholes you hit are all part of a conglomerate of federal, state, and local policies. You get a lunch break because labor activists have been demanding fair labor standards since the 1800s. At the grocery store, international supply chains influence what’s available on the shelves and how much it costs. Even the water coming out of your tap, the electricity powering your home, and the trash or recycling collected outside are part of systems shaped by hundreds of public policy initiatives.

We don’t always notice these decisions because they’re woven into our routines. But public policy is not some distant concept that we can ignore. It affects how we live, work, play, and care for our families.

Now, let’s go back to hypothetical Monday, November 2. Tomorrow is Election Day.

In a democratic republic, we elect representatives to make decisions on our behalf. Those decisions shape our communities, our opportunities, and our everyday lives. In Lancaster County, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on federal, state, and local races, as well as a countywide ballot question.

When public policy touches nearly every aspect of your life, and the lives of your loved ones, voting deserves your attention. If politics bothers you, or bores you, try and cut out the noise. Focus on the decisions that affect your everyday life and the future of your community as you fill out your ballot.

An important part of leadership is intentionality. Being thoughtful with your voice, leading by example, and standing firm in your values. Voting is an opportunity to be intentional about the future you want to see.

When you’re frustrated with the direction things are going, voting is one way to help change it. When you’re encouraged by the progress you see, voting is one way to support it. And when you’re unsure where you stand, take the time to learn about the candidates, understand the issues, and make an informed decision.

So, vote. Vote for whoever you want. But make a plan and show up.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to use our voices, encourage others to use theirs, and help build the communities we want to see. If you lead a team or manage an organization, you have an opportunity to make civic engagement more accessible to the people around you.

Here are two practical ways to start:

1. Make time for employees to vote: Consider establishing a workplace policy that provides paid time off to vote. For example: “Our organization provides up to two hours of paid time for employees to vote in local, state, and federal elections. Employees should coordinate with their supervisors in advance to arrange coverage and minimize disruption to operations.”

2. Share nonpartisan voting resources: You don’t have to be an election expert to help your employees become informed voters. Share trusted resources like Vote411 or Pennsylvania’s official voting and election website. Employees can use these resources to check registration status, learn about candidates and ballot questions, and find polling information.

So, next time you’re picking up groceries, driving to work, or simply brushing your teeth, think about all the policy decisions that went into those everyday moments. We may not always notice them, but they affect us all.

Make a Plan to Vote

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Take a few minutes to make a plan and share these resources with your family, friends, and colleagues.

1. Voting in person?

a. Find your polling place: Visit VOTE411 or Pennsylvania’s official polling place lookup to confirm where you vote.

b. Know the hours: Pennsylvania polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm If you are in line by 8 pm, you have the right to vote.

c. Make a plan: Decide when you’ll go and how you’ll get there. Coordinate with family, friends, or coworkers if needed.

d. Know the ID requirements: If you’re voting for the first time in your election district, you must show an acceptable form of photo or non-photo identification. See the state’s First Time Voters guide for the full list.

2. Already have a mail-in ballot?

a. Check your ballot status: Visit Pennsylvania’s Mail Ballot Status page to confirm whether your ballot has been received.

b. Meet the deadline: Your completed ballot must be received by the county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. A postmark alone does not meet the deadline.

c. Return it in person if needed: Lancaster County voters can deliver their own completed ballots to the Lancaster County Board of Elections at 150 N. Queen St., Suite 117, Lancaster, PA 17603. Check the county elections website for current hours and drop-off information.

3. Need help on Election Day?

a. The nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline offers assistance with voting questions and problems:

b. English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

c. Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)