In a democracy, the people vote to elect their representatives to govern them. Representing the needs and interests of many different people is challenging. One of the responsibilities of government is to provide services which would be hard for you to do alone, such as build roads, schools and storm drains. Government can not and should not do everything for you, but it can, with your help, provide order and services that are vital to a community.
Civic participation goes beyond simply voting.
Concerned citizens sharing information with local government officials, such as the City Council, helps them make fair and informed decisions for the community. You may not be able to vote yet, but you can make a difference in the community. An example, is a group of teenagers in our community who went to a City Council meeting and asked for a park for skateboarding. Their actions resulted in Council approval to build a skatepark. Learning about your city government and the key people involved who affect your life is an important first step toward being a better citizen.