You’re not the only one looking for ways to get involved in civic affairs and improve your neighborhood. Such a desire has encouraged a lot of people to get involved in politics both in the United States and abroad.
For many people, participating in politics can mean different things. It might entail reading political news, researching political theory, joining a political party, and casting a ballot in every election. It might entail putting oneself forward as an actual candidate for public office. Engagement can take the form of working on a political campaign, joining an advocacy group, or even starting a political career in public relations, strategy, or consulting.
There are a variety of ways to get involved in politics at both the local and national levels, regardless of your goals—whether you want to run for office or simply want to support a particular cause. If you want to join the process but don’t yet know how, here are seven strategies for doing so:
1. Make a Donation
Giving to political campaigns or advocacy organizations allows you to participate in politics without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. Small contributions provided a significant portion of Barack Obama’s campaign’s funding during the 2008 presidential election. Since then, numerous other politicians, both Republican and Democrat, have benefited from similar generosity from private donors.
2. Volunteer on a Political Campaign
Making phone calls (also known as phone banking), text messages, or door-to-door canvassing are all examples of campaign volunteer work that promotes a political candidate. Every election cycle, campaigns rely on “on the ground” volunteers to spread grassroots enthusiasm about their candidate and their cause. While volunteering for presidential campaigns is frequently the most well-liked activity in the United States, the president is far from the only office in American politics. First-time volunteers might discover that their time is better used lobbying for local representatives, whose policies more directly impact their daily lives.
3. Join a Nonprofit Organization
A nonprofit organization, in contrast to a political campaign, frequently organizes around issue advocacy. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), for instance, supports politicians who suggest laws to lessen the prevalence of drunk driving in American society. League of Women Voters and Sierra Club are two additional nonprofit organizations. Participating in a nonprofit may entail going to meetings, participating in marches and rallies, or even working in the organization’s local offices.
4. Join Your Community’s Civic Life
You can participate in nonpartisan voter registration drives that simply register people to vote in local elections and are not associated with any one candidate. On election day, you can work as a poll worker as well. Attending town hall (or city council) meetings and canvassing for the census bureau are two additional ways to get involved locally.
5. Make Politics Your Job
You might think about making politics your career if you enjoy it and want to get involved on a serious level. You can work as a staffer for a politician if you possess excellent communication abilities, policy knowledge, or a history in fundraising. As an alternative, you could launch your own political consulting firm. The clients of some consultants may be candidates for the state legislature, the federal government, and the presidency at the same time. They can participate in numerous races at once and have a significant impact.
6. Run for Office Yourself
Running for office yourself is the most audacious way to get involved in politics. Many politicians start out in local government by running for positions on the city council or school board. Many people will aim to advance their careers over time, possibly moving on to state and then federal government. Some people will choose to focus solely on local politics as their career.
7. Participate in a Peaceful Protest
Women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement are just a couple of examples of activism that used public protests to drive significant social and legal change. The manner of the demonstration can also inspire hope and inspiration for a better future. Well-organized, nonviolent protests that refrain from causing public disorder can keep issues top-of-mind for others and build general awareness and/or sympathy.
Unprecedented protests against the results of the 2016 election are planned in Washington and other cities across the nation in advance of the upcoming inauguration. Some claim that protesting is still ineffective, but this depends on the issue being protested about and the style of demonstration. And regardless of how you personally feel about protesting, you should be aware that it is every American’s constitutional right to peacefully join forces with others to express, advance, and defend ideas. Over the years, this civil liberty of association has proven to be essential, and participating in or organizing a protest or march can be a helpful way to demonstrate your support as an ally against oppression.
