Part 1: Citizen Participation Examples
| Citizen Participation | Explanation | Real Life Example | |-----------------------|-------------|-------------------| | Voting | Choosing candidates to represent us | Example: Attend the election day polling location to vote and choose who the next president will be. | | Awareness | Understanding politics and the individuals involved | Example: Attending town hall meetings to learn about local candidates and their positions on issues that affect the community. | | Public Service | Campaigning, running for, and holding office | Example: A community member runs for local school board to help improve education in the district. | | Civic Duties | Paying taxes, jury duty, and/or military service | Example: Serving on a jury when called, fulfilling civic responsibility and contributing to the justice system. | | Civic Participation | Completing community service | Example: Volunteering at a local food bank to assist families in need and strengthen community ties. | | Demonstration | Participating in rallies, marches, boycotts, or protests | Example: Joining a climate change march to advocate for environmental protections and raise awareness about the issue. | | Contacting Your Legislators | Sharing an issue or making a request of your Representative or Senator to take government action | Example: Writing a letter to a Senator expressing support for a specific piece of legislation regarding education funding. |
Part 2: Issues and Solutions
| Issue | Possible Solution | Action Requested | |-------|-------------------|-----------------| | Overcrowded Animal Shelters | More adoptions of shelter pets and larger animal shelters | Example: Attend the local county commissioners’ meeting to request that they provide money for advertisement and for building larger animal shelters. | | People driving too fast on roadways | Implementing speed reduction measures, like speed bumps and increased signage | Request that local government conduct a traffic study to assess speeding issues and install speed bumps in critical areas. | | Litter on the side of the roadways | Increasing community clean-up initiatives and litter enforcement | Propose to city council that they sponsor quarterly community cleanup events and increase fines for littering offenses. | | Voter Turnout | Expanding access to polling locations and promoting registration drives | Request state government to fund programs that make registration more accessible and create more polling places in underrepresented areas. |
Part 3 Submission Box
[Choose one of the options listed in the table. Below is a letter to a Representative about a local issue.]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]
The Honorable [Representative's Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring your attention to the issue of rising traffic speeds on local roadways in our community. Increasing speeds have led to numerous incidents that endanger pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. It is imperative that we take immediate action to enhance the safety of our roads. Implementing speed reduction measures, such as speed bumps and additional signage, could significantly mitigate the dangers posed by speeding.
Moreover, I urge you to consider conducting a thorough traffic study to assess the speeding issues in key areas of our community. By collecting data on traffic patterns and accident rates, we can make informed decisions that prioritize the safety of our residents. I appreciate your commitment to serving our community and trust that you will take our concerns seriously in your legislative efforts. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
1 answer