13 Ways To Be More Active In Politics

Politics. Most of us grew up being told politics doesn’t make for polite dinner conversation, and in the current political climate, many of us are becoming increasingly turned off from getting involved at all. Unfortunately, ignoring politics isn’t really an option, as it affects everything from our taxes to our children’s schools. If you’ve been turned off from being engaged, it’s time to think again. Here are some ways you can get involved in politics, whichever way you lean on the political spectrum. 

Start local.

Find out who your local representative is and do a little research into their politics. What do they stand for? Find out how to get in touch with them for the future in case you find an issue you feel strongly about. 

Attend town hall meetings.

If you want a say in what’s happening in your local area, the best place to be heard is a town hall meeting. Go along to stay informed. 

If you’re a parent, make sure know about your local school board. They’re the ones who make decisions about your child’s education, so you should know who they are and how to contact them. Joining the PTA is also a great way to get involved in decisions about schooling. 

Find what you care about.

What issues are you passionate about? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by politics, but narrowing to concerns that you care about can help you focus on what matters, whether that’s women’s rights, the environment or education. Find and follow politicians who share your focus, whether that’s at a national or local level. For example, if your big worry is representation, keep track of the career of somebody like Cynthia Telles. 

Volunteer at a polling pace.

Being part of the democratic process might help you have a greater appreciation for how the system works and could inspire you to get more involved. 

Vote.

Using your vote is essential.

Make sure you’re registered to vote, and whenever elections come around, get out there and make yourself heard. Every vote matters. 

Find publications you like.

If mainstream media isn’t doing it for you with their political coverage, try out a few different publications or websites until you find one with a voice you can get on board with. It’s important to stay up to date, but without wanting to throw your newspaper across the room in frustration. 

Expand your reading.

When you’ve found a publication you like, try a different one occasionally too. You can easily get a very blinkered view of what’s going on if you only read voices that agree with you. Try out something else, or a publication aimed at a different kind of voter or minority group to stay better informed. 

Volunteer in the community.

Community issues are a great way to get involved with politics while doing something positive for the area you live in. Donate your time at a soup kitchen, work on a community garden, read to hospital patients or donate art supplies to the local school. Give back and feel good about helping others. You could also donate to a local museum or art gallery to support public services that often struggle for funding. 

Visit public spaces.

Use your local library or museum. Visitor numbers help those important spaces hang onto their funding. 

Donate money.

Giving to charity is a great way to support a cause you care about it. Do some thorough research first to be sure exactly what your money will be used for. If you’re concerned about large charities using funds to pay large salaries instead of helping people, looking at smaller, local causes. Whether it’s donating money to help repair the roof of the local church, or giving to an international organisation, you can do something to help. 

Write letters.

Write to your congressman, write to a senator, write to your town mayor. If you’re worried about something, a letter can make an impact. You could also pick up the phone and call your representatives to make sure your views are head about important issues. 

Don’t shy away from discussing politics.

If you have politically active friends, ask them to chat to you about what they do. Speak to your loved ones about their own leanings to solidify your own thoughts on big issues. Just be careful of discussing politics at work.  And be aware of things getting too heated if you have opposing views from someone you care about. Whether you choose to talk politics over dinner is up to you.