If you’re under 18, or just looking for how to be a more informed and active citizen, there are so many ways to stay involved in current events on a local and national level besides casting your vote on election day. Here are some ideas:
Talk to your family and friends
If you have people in your life who are eligible to vote but don’t plan to do so, encourage them to consider voting. In many states you can still register to vote until late October — vote.org has a list of the deadlines by state. Voting is just one seemingly small step, but the more people we have participating in our democracy, the more representative of the people it is.
Volunteer for a campaign
Volunteering for a local politician’s campaign can be a great way to help advance the efforts of those who you believe in.
Be a poll worker
Poll workers are essential to the facilitation of our elections. Some states allow poll workers who are under the age of 18, so that can be a meaningful way to participate in an election — and earn some money — even if you can’t vote yet.
Protest
If there’s a topic you feel strongly about, peacefully protesting can make sure your voice is heard. Many towns have been holding smaller protests that you can attend if a large protest is not safe or accessible to you.
Join a club
Lafayette has many clubs that you can join to help make a difference in social and political causes important to you. These include College Democrats, College Republicans, Refugee Action, the Lafayette Sunrise Movement, and more.
Talk to your representatives
Even if elected officials can’t get your vote yet (or your vote has already been cast), they are still elected; we are their constituents, and that matters. Whether you make a phone call or send an email, reaching out to your representatives is a direct way to tell them how you feel about important topics and what actions you’d like them to take to address them.