Far too often people become apathetic about government and politics. It’s easy to look around at national events and feel helpless. The next step, then, is to wonder why you should pay attention at all. However, the reality is that you actually have quite a bit of power at a local level. You can get involved in city or county politics, volunteer for local organizations, and make a real change just by speaking up. But before you can take action, you’ll have to get informed.
1. Follow Local Elections
Perhaps one of the most pressing concerns in your city, county, and state is the local election. These biannual (and sometimes more frequent) elections, determine who will be in charge of issues where you live. Almost two decades ago, San Francisco legalized gay marriage, which eventually led to a change in federal law. A decade ago, Colorado and Washington legalized cannabis products, and researchers are now more capable of studying health benefits. Nineteen states have since followed suit.
Often, change begins at a local level thanks to grassroots movements and voters. So, if you want to stay informed about what’s happening in your city, start with your ballot. Read up on the issues, like in the LA voter guide, get involved with local movements, and talk to your neighbors about what they’re voting for or against and why. Be prepared to make mistakes, to fail, and to lose. U.S. democracy is a machine intended to move inefficiently but generally in the direction of progress.
2. Attend City Council Meetings and Local Events
Another opportunity to get involved is by attending your city council meetings and local events. It is in these spaces where people gather to discuss local politics. While you might not like the idea of talking about “politics,” it’s important to realize that the body politic is the people. Essentially, anything that concerns people can be political. You want more funding for parks? Clean air? Improved roads and schools? That’s politics.
The primary place these issues, and more, are discussed is at city council meetings and local events like citywide barbecues, festivals, and even farmer’s markets. It is in these spaces where you can expect to see your mayor and city council members. There, you can start conversations, ask your local officials about their agendas, and even make friends. One of the best ways to stay informed on any topic is to talk to real people involved with it.
3. Frequent Local Businesses and Talk With Owners
Want to get the scoop on local politics and goings-on around town? Frequent your local businesses. The local market, restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and more are typically owned by local residents and business people who have lived in your city for a long time. They’ve had to deal with city hall to get permits, to discuss crime and safety, and to address city concerns. Usually, if there’s a problem in town, your local business owners will be the first to know.
The good news is they want to talk about it! So, stop by your local bookstore and chat up the owner while looking for a new paperback. Eat at the local restaurants during slow times and visit with the managers or owners. Ask about the city, what issues are important to them, and what suggestions they have for making change. You’ll likely get an earful, which is a great way to catch up on local events in a short amount of time. As a bonus, you’ll be supporting local businesses!
4. Get Online
Of course, there’s always the internet. The first thing you should do when you move to a new city, or decide to get more involved, is get online. Check out your city’s website, where you can find out about city council meetings, the parks and rec department, who your officials are, and more. You can also usually find the address and phone number of the city hall and a form to fill out if you have requests or want to volunteer.
To take the internet a step further, get onto social media and start following your city’s social media pages. On Facebook, you’ll often find other local residents having conversations about local news, events, and issues relevant to your city. On Instagram, your city may post local events, history, and other information about the area to help keep you educated on the land you and your fellow residents occupy.
5. Read the Local Paper
Finally, if your city, county, or both, have a local newspaper, subscribe to it! While big publications like The New York Times and the Washington Post will fill you in on national and even global news, your local paper hits closer to home. Publications like the L.A. Times inform citizens about what’s happening in their city and the surrounding areas. It also addresses statewide issues that may feel more relevant to your everyday life.
If your city doesn’t have a newspaper, look for a newsletter. Smaller towns have smaller budgets, so they can’t always find funding for a daily publication. There might not even be enough to cover on a daily basis. But you want to know about changes to schools, roads, waterways, parks, and more. If you still can’t find a news source, maybe it’s time you started one! The more you look to get informed, the more prepared you’ll be to help inform others.
In the end, there are many pathways you can take to get more informed about your city. The truth is you should probably take all of them. Read the local news publications, visit social media channels, talk to local business owners — do it all. Being a part of a community means getting involved, listening to your neighbors, and speaking up. Then, when it’s time to make real, lasting change and have an impact, you’ll be more than prepared.
