Getting Involved in Local Politics

For America’s representative democracy to work properly, citizens need to engage with their government. This goes beyond voting in presidential elections once every four years, however. Local races generally impact people more directly, as the people they elect to run their cities, counties, and states make concrete decisions about where they live. From infrastructure issues like repairing bridges and roads to ordinances regulating or deregulating businesses, local politics are critical. Here are a few simple ways to become involved.

Join a Party Organization

If you’re not affiliated with a political party, research which one lines up closest with your personal ideals. You will be able to find either official county or state party assemblies, or citizen’s groups ranging from moderate political organizations to extremely partisan democratic or republican teams. Join up, and volunteer to campaign for candidates you like.

Attend Town Halls

Your local representatives will make regular appearances whenever they can to make speeches, field questions, and defend their positions in the form of town hall meetings. You should take up the opportunity to attend and speak with them. If you have a genuine concern, this is the perfect venue to voice it. If you lean more independently than towards a major party, seeing representatives speak can help you determine if you think they should stay in office or be replaced. Even if you are a die-hard party member, seeing local representatives speak-including ones from the opposite party-can help you understand their positions and process.

Work the Polls

Free and fair elections are critical to a functioning democracy. Independent non-partisan or bi-partisan commissions work to ensure that every eligible person can cast their votes easily and confidentially, and make sure votes are properly handled and tallied. This is a service you can perform that helps ensure the integrity of one of the country’s most sacred institutions.