How To Make Your Voice Heard (Post-Election)
November 5, 2020
After the scandalous 2016 Presidential Election, more and more Americans throughout the nation have become active and involved in the government and politics. In fact, an estimated 99,657,079 people decided to vote early for the 2020 Presidential election, according to the US Elections Project. In 2016, only around 138 million Americans voted. Still, there are many ways to make your voice heard besides even after the election.
- Be Informed
In the age of misinformation, it can be hard to tell what is real and what is fake. Do not trust everything you read on the internet, especially what is posted on social media. Instead of getting your news from Instagram, check different sources for the most accurate information. Remember to fact check what you read.
- Contact Your Representative
As the constituent, you are the one in charge. If you want to have a say in the way the government works, you can contact your representatives and ask for change. Representatives range from Congressmen, senators, governors, mayors, judges, and even school boards. If you want to make your voice heard, contact them and voice your concerns. You can send letters, emails, and even call them on the phone. You can go as far as setting up a meeting with them, which is sure to leave an impression, but if that is more interaction than you need, an email will work just fine.
- Vote
If you didn’t know by now, voting is a big part of this country. In a democracy, it is the way things work. Voting is not exclusive for presidential elections. Although easily overlooked, state and local elections are just as important as presidential elections. After all, they are the ones that most directly impact you. It can be hard to keep track of all the different elections you can participate in, but if you hope to become more active in your community, it may be worth the effort. Check out Vote.org to find when different elections will take place.
- Activism
If history has taught us anything is that actions speak louder than words. However, in the year of riots, it is important to remember that it is through peaceful protesting, not violent campaigns, that you should voice your opinions along with many others to propel the era of change within our nation.
