5 Ways to Stay Politically Active in 2013

The year 2013, fortunately, is not a major election year. Without the electoral campaign apparatuses constantly emailing, texting, calling, and canvassing people to volunteer or vote, it can be a little unclear as to how one can stay politically active.

To help you deal with the electoral politics vacuum, here are five tips to keeping politically active in 2013.

1. Argue With Yourself

Challenge yourself to read websites, journals, and news media with a political slant that differs from your own. Read them with the mission of genuinely understanding arguments and beliefs that you are not accustomed to, not just to get yourself riled up about who said what, or to amuse yourself on what you believe to be misinformation. The more you challenge your own beliefs, the more effective you will be as an advocate for them.

2. Get Involved With Local Opportunities

There are many more local groups and institutions to get involved with other than government, of course. Local chapters of national organizations or community-specific groups are a great and flexible commitment way to stay politically active. Find a group that interests you, attend a general meeting and set the terms of your engagement. Or, if you’re particularly ambitious, start your own initiative. You can give it a few hours a week or a few a month. How much time you put into it is always up to you.

4. Get Off the Internet

5. Petition When it Will Make a Difference. When it Won’t, Challenge Everyone to Find a New Way

I use petitions as an example because it’s a relatively simple way to think about the efficacy of the political actions you take. Sometimes a petition will sway a senator, sometimes a demonstration can change a vote. But, sometimes they cannot. In cases where certain actions don’t meet the challenges you face in making change, do not give up or disregard people for taking these steps. Instead, BE CONSTRUCTIVE and suggest other ways to accomplish goals for your cause.