How You can participate

Government works best when people participate. Learn the many ways you can get involved before, during, and after decisions are made.

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Take the Quiz

iN 1 mINUTE…

You don’t have to run for office to make a difference. Residents participate in government every day by:

Voting
Attending meetings
Sharing public comment
Contacting elected officials
Joining advisory boards
Volunteering
Staying informed

Every level of participation helps shape your community.

Why Participate?

Government makes decisions that affect your daily life.

Examples include:

Housing
Roads
Parks
Transportation
Water
Libraries
Taxes

If these decisions affect you, your voice can help shape them.

think of it like this

Imagine your apartment building is deciding whether to turn the parking lot into a dog park.

You could:

Ignore it.
Read the proposal.
Attend the meeting.
Share your opinion.
Vote if you’re allowed.
Help organize your neighbors.

Government works the same way.

There are many ways to participate, and not all of them require a lot of time.

Ways to Participate

Vote

Voting lets residents choose who will represent them.

You don’t vote on every decision, but you do help choose the people who make many of those decisions.

Attend Public Meetings

Many government meetings are open to everyone.

You can:

Listen
Learn
Ask questions (when allowed)
Understand how decisions are made

Even attending once can make government feel much less confusing.

Give Public Comment

Many public meetings include time for residents to speak directly to decision-makers.

Public comment allows you to:

Share your experience
Support an idea
Raise concerns
Suggest solutions

Contact Your Representatives

You don’t have to wait for a meeting.

Many officials accept:

Emails
Phone calls
Letters
Meetings with residents

Hearing directly from the people they represent helps officials understand community priorities.

Serve on a Board or Commission

Many cities have volunteer boards that advise elected officials on topics such as:

Parks
Housing
Transportation
Planning
Arts
Historic preservation

Serving is one way to help shape decisions before they reach elected officials.

Stay Informed

Participation starts with understanding what’s happening.

You can:

Read agendas
Follow local news
Subscribe to newsletters
Attend workshops
Use resources like Explaind

Knowing what’s happening helps you participate earlier in the process.

why this matters

Communities work better when residents participate. Participation can help:

Bring attention to local issues.
Improve government decisions.
Build stronger neighborhoods.
Help officials understand community needs.
Increase trust between residents and government.

myth vs facts

Myth

Fact

The only way to participate is by voting.

Voting is important, but people can also attend meetings, give public comment, contact officials, serve on advisory boards, volunteer, and stay informed.

One person can’t make a difference.

Many community improvements begin because one resident notices a problem, asks questions, or brings people together.

You have to be an expert before participating.

Learning and participating often happen at the same time. Many people attend their first meeting simply to listen and understand the process.

try it yourself

Which participation step feels right for you today?

Learn about a local issue.
Read a meeting agenda
Attend a public meeting
Find your representative
Send an email
Give public comment
Volunteer
Teach someone else what you learned

Every step counts.

take action

Choose one action you can complete this week.

For example:

Find your City Council member.
Look up the next City Council meeting.
Read one meeting agenda.
Attend one public meeting (in person or online).
Contact an elected official about an issue you care about.

Small actions build confidence over time.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to speak at a meeting to participate?

No. Many people begin by attending meetings, reading agendas, or contacting officials privately.

Can I participate if I can’t vote?

Yes. Depending on local rules, people may still attend meetings, give public comment, volunteer, join community groups, or contact elected officials.

How much time does participation take?

It varies. Some actions, like reading an agenda or sending an email, can take only a few minutes. Others, like serving on a board, require a larger commitment.

Do officials actually read emails from residents?

Many offices review emails, calls, and other public input as part of their work, especially when many residents raise the same issue.