We're your one-stop shop for tools to effectively participate in democracy
You can find out how to run for state office here:
Basic Qualifications for Election to State Legislatures
from the National Conference of State Legislatures
Check our Elected Officials for Saint Charles County for information about the board that runs your county, and what's on the agenda each week..
Also, two organizations are worth noting:
- Citizen University trains ordinary people on how to run for office in their community.
- Run For Something helps and recruits progressive candidates run for important local offices.
In addition to these tools, we provide links to organizations dedicated to advocating for the rights of consumers, workers, and other individuals against overreaching business or government practices.
We also connect you with organizations and websites that share the goal of strengthening the ability of ordinary people to participate effectively in government.
In these volatile times, we must demand that our government be responsible and responsive. It's about much more than just voting. It's about keeping those you voted for accountable to what you care about. Even if you already agree with your elected representatives, your ongoing input can give them the political ammunition they need to aggressively fight for what you value.
This website is designed to help you effectively participate in government at the federal, state, county, and local levels. We give you information and tools to help you make your voices heard, and to keep your elected representatives responsive to your concerns.
- How to make sure your're (still) registered to vote!
- How to call your elected representatives at all levels of government
- How to track legislation you care about
- How to find activist organizations that you can work with to advance your cause
- Reliable sources of fact based news
The following contacts can get you started.
How to contact government officials (links from USA.gov)
Congressional contacts:
- Your U.S. Senator. Find your senator's contact and biographical information, and view a senate organizational chart.
- Senate Committee Offices. Contact one of the 20 committees, 68 subcommittees, and four joint committees.
- Your U.S. Congressional Representative. Use this directory to find your representative's contact information and House committee assignments.
- House Committee Offices. Learn about the bills, agencies, programs, and issues that House committees are reviewing.
Federal contacts:
- Federal Government. Browse phone and e-mail directories for federal agencies and officials.
- Contact President Joe Biden online, or call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414 or the comments line at 202-456-1111 during business hours.
- Secretary of State and U.S. Department of State. Email, write, or call with your question for the Department of State or comment on U.S. foreign policy.
- Inspector General. Each federal agency has an inspector general. Get in touch to report federal government waste and fraud.
- Federal Advisory Committees. Access the database that federal agencies use to manage an average of 1,000 government-wide advisory committees.
- Rulemaking. Participate in the federal rulemaking process by commenting on proposed rules.
Judicial contacts:
- Federal Courts. Learn about the work of the federal courts in assigning jury duty, ruling on important cases, and overseeing naturalization ceremonies.
- Supreme Court. Call or write the U.S. Supreme Court or get visitor information.
State contacts:
- Governors. Find email, telephone, and postal contact information for each state's governor.
- Local Governments. Locate websites for the cities, towns, and counties in your state.