5 ways to participate in democracy for non-politicos
Have you ever participated in politics? No? Me neither, I’ve always thought politics is for politicians.
Maybe a better question is: Have you ever read a news headline and thought: I can’t believe they did / said that?
Yes?
What did you do? If you were like me and politically disengaged, you probably didn’t do anything. Maybe a Facebook post, an occasional vote or debates with friends and family that lead no where. The travel ban, election hacking, healthcare, taxes, North Korea. Opinions, yes; action, no.
I never did anything. I didn’t think I could do anything and, if I’m being honest, I never felt a great need to do anything.
Recently I’ve realized there are things I can do. I’ve also realized that I should do these things because participation is the only thing that drives change in a democracy. And change is something I want to see.
For me there have been too many ‘I can’t believe this’ headlines over the last few years and I can’t imagine bringing up my 9-month-old daughter in a country that doesn’t change for the better. For example, I want to bring her up in a country where we’re not worried about guns in schools and where America safeguards our environment. Most importantly, I want my family and friends to live in a country we can all be proud of that. A country with a moral compass that upholds freedom for people everywhere.
Whatever your motivation, participating is free and anyone can do it regardless of how much time or money they have. The list below includes recommendations that will allow you to make both a local and national impact. Here’s how:
Register to vote. My wife and I have moved at least 5 times in the last 10 years. I wasn’t sure if I was registered, so I checked and registered. How to register:
- Vote.org allows you to check your status and register
- There’s also Michelle Obama’s new initiative When We All Vote
Vote! My wife and I filled out our ballots in California’s primary. We voted by mail, but vote.org has a great polling place locator to find out where you should vote.
Call your rep and show up at town halls. I’ve called my congresswoman (hey Jackie Speier!) at least 10 times to let her know my position on issues. It takes 3 minutes. Gather thoughts on an issue you’re passionate about, lookup the number, then call. A staffer will answer, tell them you are a constituent, the issue and that’s it.
- Look up your representatives at Call Your Rep
- Don’t want to call? Have a bot send a message for you
Donate. Yes, I’ve even donated a small amount to a few candidates in competitive races across the country. The first time I did this it felt weird, but I realized that my donations are, in effect, a payment towards making the change I believe in happen. The most difficult part here is figuring out who deserves your donation. First, (and obviously) the politicians who you donate to should be aligned with you on your core issues. Secondly, you want your dollars to go the greatest distance. For me, even though
and I are aligned on issues, I don’t donate to her (sorry!) because she will be safely reelected. Instead, I target districts that are competitive. Here are a few ways to do this:- The Great Slate. Five House candidates running for office in competitive districts.
- A comprehensive list of the most competitive House & Senate races
Volunteering & Marching. My family and I marched in our first protest a few months ago when we joined Redwood City’s March for Our Lives. Volunteering is not all about protesting. You can make an impact by working behind the scenes for a campaign. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Set up your own voter registration campaign with DoSomething.org (are your friends registered?)
- Volunteer to text people to remind them to vote or with information on candidates.
- Get involved with The Last Weekend — the most effective time to engage voters.
- Volunteer for a campaign. Can you code? Campaigns need websites and marketing tool integrations. The Great Slate also has volunteer opportunities for competitive races.
- Look up issues you’re passionate about, there will be national non profits that organize meetups and national marches.
As I’ve begun participating in politics for the first time in my life I’ve been surprised by a few things:
First, it feels great to be taking action. No longer am I just sitting at the table talking with friends about a frustrating politician or event. No longer do I feel powerless. I now have a set of tools I can use to make my voice heard and affect change.
Secondly, I’ve been surprised by how few of my friends have taken action. It’s unusual, apparently. When I mention to friends that’s I’ve called my congresswoman or that I’ve donated to campaigns, they are shocked. I secretly suspect some of them think I’ve gone off the deep-end, but it’s also an indicator that non-political professionals may not think to get involved. It’s more comfortable to observe and critique from a distance.
Regardless of what change you want to affect, get out there and participate — this is our democracy!
