A recent survey of state legislators revealed that only about five 5 percent of state senators and representatives actually ask the citizens in their district for opinions on upcoming bills and proposals. As a future voter, make a list of five ways you could get involved in how your state senators and representatives make decisions about potential laws in your state.
As a future voter, five ways to get involved in how the state senators and representatives make decisions about potential laws are:
Participate in public hearings. A public hearing is a formal meeting to hear the testimonies of different people on a local issue or a proposed government action. The idea is to generate a report that summarizes the key points. Government officials can use this mechanism to gather information that allows them to make decisions or write laws that meet the needs of the population.
Participate in a citizen assembly. A Citizens Assembly meets to deliberate on an issue and provide recommendations, options or a collective decision to a governmental entity or body.
Lead a neighborhood meeting to generate citizen input and discussion around a development proposal.
Start or participate in a community out- reach program to promote laws that will affect people in the local context.
Participate in a protest expressing disapproval and demanding senators and representatives take into account the needs of the people.
