Becoming active in the local, state, and national government starts with voting, but there are many other ways to get involved. From volunteering to running for office, here are some ways to become more involved in the government and impact your community.

 

1. Contact Elected Officials and Make Them Listen!

Want to directly contact an official about a cause you are passionate about or concern in your community? Usa.gov provides forms to find and contact federal, state, and local elected officials. This link leads to contact information for government officials.

 

2. City Council Meetings

City councils are the legislative branches of city government and work to fulfill a city’s goals, complete major projects, and improve community wellness. City Council meetings are open to the public and community members may sit in and even speak at meetings. Birmingham City Council meetings are held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. on the 3rd floor of Birmingham City Hall, located on 710 North 20th Street in the council chambers. To speak at a city council meeting, you must fill out a form prior to the meeting. Community members may also access minutes from City Council meetings to stay informed.

All information about Birmingham City Council can be found on this website.   

 

3. Hands On Birmingham

Interested in helping your community? Hands On Birmingham is a local non-profit committed to community engagement and embetterment through volunteer work. There are a plethora of ways to volunteer with a cause you care about. Some options include working with individuals with disabilities, repairing houses of low income families, helping with city-wide clean ups, and the volunteering with American Red Cross. If you want to give your time to your community, you can visit the website, register as a member (which is free!), and find a volunteer opportunity in an area you care about. Find the Hands on Birmingham website here.

 

4. Become a Poll Worker

Passionate about voting? Take the next step and volunteer to become a poll worker during the next election. Poll workers volunteer during elections by facilitating voters and helping behind the scenes. Without poll workers, an efficient and effective voting process would not happen and fewer individuals would vote. Get involved by contacting the Republican or Democratic Party chairs in your area and getting trained. Here is the link for more information about poll working. 

 

5. Work on a Campaign

Is there a candidate you want to see in office? If so, work with them to raise awareness, expand their audience, and popularize their campaign. Every candidate welcomes any support and help in their campaign and working with a candidate increases their chances of winning. Knock on doors, send text messages, print flyers, make phones calls, and organize and execute events. Working with a Politician is a valuable experience where you will learn, meet others who have the same views, and help you see if you would want to run for office. To work on a campaign, contact the candidate you want to support.

 

Hannah Hudson, a senior at Samford University, worked on Scott Dawson’s governor campaign in Alabama in the spring. When asked about working on the campaign she said, “I loved every moment of it, it really got me to love local politics and nationwide politics. It made me more aware of what really goes on in campaigns and politics.” As a college student, Hannah valuably helped Scott Dawson and made an impact on her state’s politics. Helping on a campaign is something anyone can do and is welcomed from politicians.

 

6. Run for Office

If you want to dive fully into local politics, run for office yourself! Although this is a complicated process, it is a tangible way to get your point across and heavily influence the community. Here is the link that guides beginners in running for office.

 

These are some easy, quick, and tangible ways to get involved in politics beyond voting. Austin Harrington is the chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama and is a Junior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Austin stays active in politics while in college and explains why being involved in politics is important. He says, “I want to set the example for younger generations that it is okay to be outspoken about your political beliefs, even if that means being defiant of your own party or general political affiliation.” Any involvement in government shows that you care about your country and the people who live here. These are great options, but do not be afraid to google things yourself and see what opportunities are available in your area and find a passion you want to pursue.