With the stress over this year’s presidential election, many people demonstrated interest in getting more involved in politics. Voting is the most popular and easy way to get involved, and many people, organizations and businesses encourage people to do so. But, there are other ways to stay involved in politics when it’s not an election year. Here are five ways you can continue to ensure your voice is heard.
1. Join a group dedicated to advocating for an issue you care about
Whether it’s a social justice group like March for Our Lives Maryland, an environmental group like Sustainable UMD or a local community group, these organizations fight for the issues you care about. March for Our Lives Maryland is Maryland’s chapter of the national March for Our Lives organization. This group advocates for gun reform in the wake of dozens of school shootings in recent years. Sustainable UMD dedicates its efforts to environmentally friendly initiatives at UMD and works to educate the campus about sustainability. Through these groups, you can become more informed about an issue and help spread awareness and information to your peers and legislators.
2. Attend a march or rally for a cause you believe in
Big turnout for events like these catches the attention of local, state and federal leaders, and proves many people care about the issue. Marches impact policies, in addition to empowering those in attendance. Many rallies and marches have social media accounts on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter that help spread information about the organization and upcoming events. Check out @blklivesmatter, @womensmarch and @marchforourlives on Instagram.
3. Write to your representatives
They can be local, state or national. If you think your representatives should focus on a specific issue, write to them and express how you feel. When constituents care strongly about an issue, their representatives want to know how to best represent them. Click here to find who your representatives are and how to contact them.
4. Sign petitions
Websites such as Change.org have a variety of petitions for a variety of different issues. Most recently, petitions to charge the cops involved in situations where police brutality ended in death, like the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, circulated widely. Petitions are a good way to recruit new people to a cause, or inform them of an event or bill that is not widely publicized. They mobilize people, and show public support for an issue. Specifically with online petitions, your contact information is used to keep you updated on the cause you signed for, as well as give you more information on advocating for the cause.
5. Stay informed on political topics
Subscribe to local and national newspapers and stay up to date with the stories they put out. Fact check information you find on social media and the internet. Attend local town halls and other, similar community events. Do not be afraid to have a conversation with friends and family about different issues you believe in, even if you disagree with them. Getting multiple perspectives on issues helps when forming an opinion, and a good way to share information is by having a conversation.