Democracy has long been a defining value in the United States. Now that the presidential election is over and our democracy is intact, what can you do as a constituent to stay involved and ensure your voice gets heard?
At Granicus, we spent a lot of time thinking about this topic. After various discussions internally, it was imperative that the only way to ensure that we as constituents get our voices heard is to go beyond the vote and #GetInvolved.
As we brainstormed about the reasons why we should get involved, the following twenty-five reasons stood out. We want to share them with you, hoping that it encourages you to go beyond the vote and get involved with your local government to ensure our democracy continues to thrive.
Why You Should Get Involved With Your Local Government
Unhappy with the city transportation system? Does your street have potholes that need fixing? Do you need to get a streetlight installed in your neighborhood? All these issues are handled at the city and county levels. Local city and county officials are often so overwhelmed that they may go unnoticed if you don’t bring up the issues that specifically concern you.
The more funding a program receives from the government, the more members of the community can take advantage of it. For example, if your school’s extracurricular activities are well funded, you would not have to pay for your kid’s activities with after-tax dollars as a parent. It would lower the burden on your finances without affecting your children’s education. By getting involved with your school board, you can influence how the funds get distributed.
Your opinion matters. Your point of view matters. Your perspective matters. Don’t like how government officials are handling issues in your community? Speak up.
When I lived in San Francisco, I always wondered where does the money go? Why do 50% of the streets have potholes and are poorly maintained, even though the city has access to millions of dollars through parking charges and government grants? It was eye-opening for me to learn how the government works and manages its money. If you are curious about your local government’s spending habits, join the respective boards and commissions to see it for yourself.
Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is even more powerful. Do you know how the legislative process creates a bill? I did not. It all starts with an idea, which can come from anywhere, especially from you. If your local councilperson likes the idea, they submit it as a bill for debate and vote. And when it gains enough votes, it is put into action. I know I am oversimplifying the process, but you get the idea.
As a concerned constituent, you must understand how this process works because only then you can submit your ideas and see them become a reality.
Democracy is defined as a government system by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. But I believe it goes a step further. Democracy is all about the balance of different perspectives. The more diverse perspectives are included in our political system, the more balanced our approach would be.
As you began to join your local boards, commissions, and committees, you will make connections that could lead to fruitful results in the short and long term. It could even open employment opportunities for you.
More and more cities have citizen advisory boards and structures to identify corruption and ensure that decentralized programs are working correctly. You can encourage your community to get involved in local affairs to be the change they want to see.
A bill gets passed when there are enough votes. As a community, there is power in numbers. Suppose you are passionate about a particular cause and want to see it through. You can get your community involved and show why the issue is so important to everyone.
We all have skills (marketing, accounting, speaking, advertising, etc.) that can benefit your local boards and commissions. By volunteering and joining them, you will get a chance to help them with your skillset and develop new skills.
We have an innate need to help others and make a difference. I often saw many houseless people in San Francisco, CA on the streets, asking for food and help. I got involved with the local board to help with the issue, and we raised awareness and funds to help homeless people who needed medical assistance. Getting involved in local councils and commissions can serve the community and causes that matter the most to you.
If you want to make an impact on education where you live, getting involved in the school board is an excellent place to start.
Our forefathers were concerned about the “tyranny of the majority,” so they created a government with a system of checks and balances to safeguard the rights of the majority and minority. That led to the bicameral structure of our legislative branch with the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a constituent, you can and should participate at the local level and support causes and officials who will lead the efforts that matter to you at the federal level.
If you are concerned about an issue in your community, the chances are other cities or states might have similar issues. For example, in San Francisco, CA, the unhoused population is quite large, and it’s much the same for other cities like San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA, and New York, NY. By getting involved and raising your voice about issues that concern your community you can make a difference.
Luckily, our local government is the best place to request an amendment or change to local laws that affect your day-to-day life by submitting petitions. As a constituent, you might have to jump through red tape, but it is possible. For example, increasing bus routes, adding a bus stop by your neighborhood, etc. could be put on the fast track if enough constituents get behind it.
Your local politicians and city officials are the most accessible government officials to a constituent. They are the ones who are most likely to listen to your concerns since they are the ones who need your vote the most. Local city officials are keen on improving the community, and if you share your concerns with them, they could help you make your community better.
My aunt was a teacher for 30 years in the small town of Yuba City, CA. She was unhappy with the way the school board assigned funds. She asked questions, and when she was dissatisfied with the answers she received, she took the matter into her own hands and decided to run for office. You, too, can do the same.
I am genuinely grateful for the service provided by our local law enforcement officials. Because of them, we feel safe in our neighborhoods and able to walk home at night safely. Our local elected officials decide how our public safety is managed, how our police officers are trained, and how they are policed. Suppose you would like to volunteer to help our police officers, no better way of joining your local citizen advisory board. A law enforcement organization can utilize a citizen advisory board for advice and input on many issues.
If you are concerned about city and county hospitals and their care, join your hospital board. A typical hospital board consists of physicians, administrators, employees, and citizens. For example, the hospital advisory council at the Oklahoma State Department of Health consists of three citizens. Check with your local city hospital about their advisory board and join it.
Your involvement in your city’s boards and commissions will inspire others to join and be part of the initiative.
You voted them in; it is a good idea to see how your elected council members are voting for or against the projects that matter to you.
Being involved in various boards, commissions, and committees will expose new areas such as healthcare, schools, animal support groups, charity organizations, and environmental groups. It could help you discover your passion in the areas you never thought about.
Do you want to know why a particular item was added to the council’s agenda and why your petition did not? Ask questions. Attend your local council meetings and ask “why.”
If you ask an average constituent, their understanding of the government process would be slim to none. And I was guilty of that. I did not understand how and where to file a petition to get a streetlight installed by our home. Or how to get a permit to add a room to our home. It took me weeks of research to figure out the processes. As I started to get involved and better understand the government processes and required paperwork, it got better for any future requests I had to make. As a result, my neighbors began to come to me for advice to speed up their petition requests.
I never thought it would be fun to join a local board, but it is. When you see your idea supported by others and coming to reality, the joy is indescribable. So, go beyond the vote and have fun. Our civic duty is to engage and get involved to lead the change we want to see in our communities. We encourage you to join us and go beyond the vote.
Get Involved.
