With the current administration in power and elections coming up, it is vital to ensure that your voice is heard. Voting is a powerful tool and everyone that can access a voting site or absentee ballot should do so, but once elections are over it is important to keep talking. It can often feel like you are being silenced. The booming sound of greedy political agenda can be deafening.
Fortunately, there are several ways to rise above the noise. The following resources are free to use and accessible to anyone with a mobile phone or an Internet connection
1. Check your voting status
Before the midterm election sneaks up on you, make sure that you have registered to vote or check your registration status here. You can register to vote either online or in person. Each state has different deadlines for voting registration and they an be checked via your state or local election office site. Reminder: you can register to vote before you turn 18 if you will be 18 by election day!
2. Vote411
Vote411 gives you all the information you need about the candidates and issues you will see on your ballot. All you have to do is enter your general location.
3. ResistBot
ResistBot allows you to write to your representatives in Congress. By texting "RESIST" to 50409 (or using Facebook Messenger) you can contact your representatives via fax to let them know how you would like them to vote on various policies. It is free and accessible to anyone with a mobile phone or Messenger app.
4. Call Your Rep
Call Your Rep simply requires you to enter your address in the search bar and it then pulls up a list of your House representatives and state senators. The list includes their office addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers. It is also free to use.
5. Countable
Countable is a website that gives you the opportunity to email your representatives or even send them a video message. The site informs you of political/social justice issues that you can choose to take action on directly. It does require you to set up an account to access its features, though.
6. Demand Progress
Demand Progress is another site with information about multiple campaigns they are running to tackle certain issues. By entering your email to join, you can receive emails about particular events to participate in, as well as petitions to sign. It is optional to donate to the site but otherwise free to use.
7. Government contact
This government website has a comprehensive list of ways to contact your public officials on various levels, including federal, state, and local. Depending on which officials you are looking to contact, all that is required is your state or town. It is free to access and easy to use.
8. Capital Switchboard
Additionally, simply calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 will allow you to connect with a representative directly.
