Everyday Actions to Strengthen Our Democracy

When we hear about threats to democracy, it can feel overwhelming. We often think of large-scale protests, political campaigns, or complex policy debates. But what if the most powerful actions you can take aren't about being a professional activist or a political junkie? 

The truth is, a strong democracy is built from the ground up, with small, consistent efforts from ordinary people. You don't have to be a loud, political person to make a difference. Here are some simple, everyday things you can do to help build a more resilient and democratic society.

1. Get to Know Your Neighbors

It sounds simple, but a sense of community is a powerful defense against division. Authoritarianism often thrives by isolating people and creating "us vs. them" narratives.

By building relationships with our neighbors, we create a stronger social fabric. Strong community bonds are a natural defense against division. When you know the people who live around you, it becomes much harder for misinformation and political polarization to take hold, as you see them as individuals rather than political stereotypes.

• Listen more than you talk. 

In conversations with those who hold different views, the simple act of listening can be the most powerful step toward understanding. It demonstrates respect and is a prerequisite for finding a path forward together on difficult issues.

• Help a neighbor in need. 

Small acts of kindness build trust and strengthen the social fabric of your community. Whether it's helping with yard work, bringing in their garbage cans, or checking on an elderly neighbor, these gestures remind us that we are all in this together.

• Host a block party or community potluck. 

Create opportunities for people to connect and see each other as neighbors. These informal social events are simple yet powerful ways to break down barriers and build a stronger sense of shared identity in your community. 

• Start a neighborhood watch or community garden. 

Take initiative to improve your local area. These projects foster a sense of shared ownership and collaboration, showing that people can come together to solve local problems without needing a political affiliation.

• Build a Little Free Library for your neighborhood.

By encouraging people to stop, browse, and exchange books, they create opportunities for neighbors to connect and interact, fostering a greater sense of community and neighborliness. Many people report meeting more of their neighbors after a Little Free Library is installed. The "take a book, share a book" honor system also promotes generosity and a sense of shared responsibility.

• Organize a clean-up day for a local park or street. 

Encourage collective ownership of public spaces. When people work together to improve their shared environment, it builds pride and a sense of responsibility for the community as a whole.

• Support local businesses. 

Shopping locally invests directly in your community and its shared future. When you spend money at a small, independent shop, that money is more likely to stay within the local economy, creating jobs and strengthening the financial well-being of your neighbors.

• Donate to a local food bank. 

Direct charity helps people in your community and demonstrates a shared sense of responsibility. By contributing to a food bank, you are actively participating in a system of mutual aid that strengthens your local community from the inside out.

• Volunteer for a non-political community group. 

Whether it's a food bank, animal shelter, or historical society, you're building a stronger community. These groups address real needs and create positive change, all while bringing people together around a common purpose.

All of these actions help us to see people as individuals, not as members of a political team, which makes it much harder for misinformation and polarization to take hold.

2. Focus on Local Government

While national politics gets all the headlines, local government has a much more direct impact on your daily life. It’s also where you have the most influence.

• Vote in every election. 

Show up for local, state, and national elections. Your vote matters most in the races that get the least attention, as these are the officials who determine the quality of your schools, the state of your roads, and the public services in your town. These races for mayor, city council, and school board often have low voter turnout, which means your single vote matters more.

• Read the ballot measures. 

Before you vote, take the time to understand the local and state propositions you're voting on. These measures often have a significant impact on your daily life, and a well-informed vote is a key part of responsible citizenship.

• Support organizations that register voters. 

Voter registration drives are a non-partisan way to empower your fellow citizens and encourage participation. Contribute to non-partisan groups that help citizens exercise their right to vote. These organizations play a crucial role in empowering all eligible citizens and ensuring that more people have a voice in our democracy.

• Become a poll worker or election volunteer.

This is one of the most direct ways to protect the integrity of our elections. Help ensure that elections are fair, secure, and accessible for everyone. By taking part in the electoral process, you not only serve your community but also help rebuild trust in the very systems that make our democracy possible.

• Attend a local public meeting. 

Pick one thing that affects your community—like a new park, a traffic light, or a library program—and follow the decision-making process. Listen to what's happening at city council, school board, or planning commission meetings. These meetings are often open to the public, and by simply showing up, you help hold your elected officials accountable and make sure their decisions are transparent. You can simply go and listen, or you can voice your opinion on an issue you care about.

• Talk to your family about the importance of voting. 

Encourage participation without telling them who to vote for. Having open conversations about why voting matters can motivate people to exercise their rights and become more engaged in the process. Instead of arguing, seek to understand a different point of view, even if you don't agree with it. Healthy debate and the ability to find common ground are essential skills for a functioning democracy.

By engaging at the local level, you help ensure that your community is being governed by people who are accountable to you and your neighbors.

3. Support Reliable Information

A healthy democracy depends on shared facts. Authoritarian tactics often rely on misinformation to create confusion and erode trust in institutions. You can help fight this by becoming a more conscious consumer of information.

• Support local journalism. 

Independent, local news outlets are a critical check on power and a source of reliable community information. Consider subscribing to your local newspaper or a non-profit news organization.

• Fact-check before you share. 

Before you hit "share" on social media, take a moment to confirm the information from a trusted source. You can use fact-checking websites to see if a story is legitimate.

• Talk to people with different views. 

Instead of arguing online, have respectful conversations with people in your life who hold different perspectives. Listen to understand their point of view and share your own from a place of personal experience, not political talking points.

• Support your local library. 

Libraries are pillars of free information and a cornerstone of an educated citizenry. By checking out books, attending events, or simply getting a library card, you are affirming the value of a public institution dedicated to knowledge and open access.

4. Be a Civically Minded Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to strengthen democracy without being overtly political. When you volunteer, you reinforce the idea that we all have a role to play in making our society work.

• Serve on a jury. 

When you receive a jury summons, take it seriously. When you're called for jury duty, see it as a fundamental civic responsibility. By participating in this process, you are upholding the principle of due process and ensuring that justice is administered fairly for everyone in your community.

• Join a neighborhood association or community board.

Get involved in the decisions that affect your local area, from park maintenance to zoning issues. Your involvement ensures that a diversity of voices is heard when it comes to the future of your community.

• Run for a non-political local board. 

Consider a position on the library board or a parks committee. These roles offer a hands-on way to make a difference in your community and ensure that important public services are managed responsibly.

• Donate blood or volunteer at a local hospital. 

These are simple acts of public service that benefit your community as a whole. Giving back in this way is a non-political action that demonstrates a commitment to the collective well-being of society.

• Be a good role model for civic engagement. 

Show the people in your life that these small, consistent actions are what make democracy work. When you model respect, curiosity, and a willingness to participate, you inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that can strengthen your entire community.

By taking these small steps, you are not just participating—you are actively building and maintaining the democratic institutions that we all rely on. Your actions, no matter how small they seem, are a powerful investment in a more fair and just society for everyone.