How to Stay Involved in Politics

by YÁNDARY Z. CHATWIN

The 2018 election is finally over! Now that the dust has settled, and new representatives are preparing to be sworn into office in just a few weeks, it’s a good time to consider how you can stay involved in the political process. Voting is incredibly important, but we also need to make sure we pay attention to what our elected officials are doing once they are in office and that we have an opportunity to make our voices heard on issues that matter to us. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

Figure out who your elected officials are.

You might know a few of your elected officials, but you can find all of them by visiting here. Type your information into the “Search by Address” tab, and hit enter. Click on the “Elected Officials” tab to see who represents you at every level of government, from your local school board precinct to your member of Congress.

This list might feel a little overwhelming, so focus on one or two officials who oversee issues you care about. Do you care about something happening in your local public school? Reach out to your school board member. Are you concerned about one of the recent ballot initiatives (like medical marijuana or redistricting)? Reach out to your state senator and your state representative. Worried about something happening at the federal level (like the fate of the Affordable Care Act, federal tax cuts, or immigration policy)? Contact your member of Congress (U.S. House) or your U.S. Senator.

Follow your elected officials on social media.

It’s hard to keep track of what every one of your elected officials is up to, but one tool that will make things a little easier is social media. Start following your elected officials on Facebook, Twitter, or even Instagram to stay a little more up to date on what they’re up to on a day to day basis. These accounts are often run by staff members, but they’ll help you know what your representatives are working on.

Check the calendar for important meetings.

Elected officials, especially those in the legislative branch, often participate in public meetings, so check the calendar for the elected official you’re tracking to see what meetings they participate in. For your state senator or state representative, the state legislative website, www.le.utah.gov (click on the “Calendar” tab on the main page), is a great way to stay up to date on committee meetings and the agendas for each meeting. If you want to stay up to speed on issues in your city, go to your city’s website to see when your city council meetings are held. Same with your local school board. Mark them on your calendar, and plan to show up.

Contact your representatives.

Another great way to stay involved is to reach out to your representatives directly. Look up their contact info online, and email or call their office (though I would suggest sending an email first!). Let them know you are a constituent, that you want to stay involved, and tell them the issues you’re passionate about. Elected officials want to hear from you, and they will usually take time to respond to their constituents. It’s especially important to contact your representatives when they are in the middle of a policy discussion you feel strongly about. Keep your message brief, respectful, and to the point, and don’t be afraid to continue to reach out.

Look ahead to the next election.

This one might take a little more effort, but if the current election didn’t go the way you wanted, or there’s an upcoming election you care deeply about, it’s never too early to start getting involved! Remember: every year is an election year! In 2019, we will have municipal elections across the state, and campaigns are likely already underway for the 2020 election. Regardless of what they’re running for, I can promise you that candidates will always be happy to hear from supporters and volunteers.

However you decide to stay involved post-election, please know that your voice and participation matter! Elected officials want and need to hear from you. How will they know how to best represent their constituents if we don’t reach out to them? Our democracy is dependent on your participation, and hopefully these five ideas will help you stay involved in 2019 and beyond.