Civic engagement is a practice that looks different for each person. Civic engagement is not just about casting a ballot for local, state, and federal elections. Not everyone in our country has the right to vote, but everyone has the right to be civically engaged. Citizens and non-citizens alike have opportunities to be civically engaged. Citizens can vote for candidates up and down the ballot that will legislate to support low-income renters, but they can also become poll workers, register others to vote, and run for office themselves. Those who are not citizens, are too young to vote, or can’t vote for other reasons can advocate for legislation, attend protests, get involved with ballot measure campaigns, participate in candidate forums, and participate in other forms of activism. Both inside and outside the voting booth, low-income renters have immense political power. While voting is one way for low-income renters to have a say in policy issues that affect their lives, voting will have a greater impact when done in conjunction with other civic engagement activities that hold elected officials accountable.
One way to participate in our democracy beyond voting is to serve as a poll worker. While many states require poll workers to be registered voters, 44 states and the District of Colombia have youth poll worker programs, so teenagers younger than 18 can participate in elections. This opportunity gives young people the opportunity to engage in democracy and help their community. Becoming a poll worker is a powerful way to make our elections run smoothly and help others make their voices heard.
If you are eligible to cast a ballot, you can also run for offices like your city council or state legislature. If you don’t see elected officials representing you and your community, you can be the change you want to see and run for office!
Those not eligible to cast a ballot can still be civically engaged in their community. They can participate in media advocacy, like starting letter-writing campaigns to representatives of the district or state they live in, or starting a social media campaign to educate their network about policy issues they care about. They can remind eligible voters in their families, schools, houses of worship, or other social networks about the importance of registration and voting. Looking beyond the electoral process, voters and non-voters alike can volunteer with civic organizations, get involved in a tenant association, participate in a mutual aid group, and organize around other causes.
Fortunately, some communities are even working to expand the right to vote for historically disenfranchised people. A handful of municipalities in California, Maryland, and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, allow for noncitizen voting in local elections. In those same three states, there are localities that have lowered the voting age to 16 for either all local elections or just school board elections.
No matter your voting eligibility, to be civically engaged goes beyond voting every four years – it means consistently engaging your community in the democratic process and holding elected officials accountable.