Civic Involvement

Civic Involvement in State & Local Governments

Civic Involvement

If there is a problem at the local or state level, it is best for the people to get involved in solving it.

There are various ways citizens can get involved at the local and state levels.

1. Taxes-pay them in full

2. Run for office or help someone run

3. Vote

4. Volunteer Work (help an organization that interests you).

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State Level

State Level

5. Be active in a political party (donate money, help with fundraisers, attend events).
6. Join an interest group (attend meetings, send letters, attend rallies, fundraisers, etc.)

Multiple Choice

What is the goal of an interest group?

• Get the gov't to support their opinion on one issue

• Get the gov't to support their opinion on multiple issues

• Get a specific person elected

7. Military Service (National Guard)

8. Initiative or referendum (initiative-citizens can put bill on ballot; referendum-voters can vote on bill passed by gov't)

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State Level

Multiple Select

Which of the following is a way to get involved at the state level? Choose all that are correct.

• Vote

• Pay taxes

• Run for school board

• Jury Duty

Multiple Choice

The State Highway Department has just announced construction of a new proposed highway. Which action would be most effective for citizens to take who are opposed to a state highway being built through their community?

• indicate on their state taxes that their money shouldn't be used to pay for the proposed highway

• citizens should refuse to serve in the Ohio National Guard unless the state agrees to stop its proposed highway

• introduce a referendum in the next election that would halt highway construction

• donate money to a political party in support of a Presidential candidate

Multiple Choice

A citizen can become involved in addressing problems that affect the entire state of Ohio. How could that citizen become involved?

• by joining a neighborhood watch group

• by volunteering for the ambulance corps in their area

• by voting in the election of a local school board

• by signing a petition to place an issue on the state ballot

Civic Involvement at the Local Level

1. Jury Duty

2. Schools (service projects, run for school board, attend meetings)

Local Level

​3. Join an organization (school club, religious group, or community group)

Local Level

4. Letter Writing (write letters to newspapers about community issues or to community officials)

5. Volunteer

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Local Level

Multiple Select

Which of the following are ways you can find volunteer opportunities in your local community? Choose all that are correct.

• talk to local religious leaders at a church, temple, organization, etc.

• call the governor

• contact a local community organization (PTO, Lions, etc.)

• call your state senator

​6. Service (volunteer firefighter, visit those w/out family in hospital or nursing home)

7. Contribute (donate money to a local charity or food bank)

Multiple Choice

A community in Ohio wishes to install "hot spots" in their local parks that would allow people free access to the Internet when visiting a park. However, the town council lacks money in their budget to pay for this service. How could a citizen work within his or her own community to help the local government address this problem?

• by writing a letter to the Ohio General Assembly

• by organizing a group of residents to clean up the park on Sundays

• by organizing and holding a fundraiser to obtain the money to pay for the Internet access

• by running for a seat in a community Board of Education

Drag and Drop

Serving in the National Guard is an example of

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involvement. Running for election to your community school board is an example of ​

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involvement.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

state

local

Drag and Drop

Visiting people who are confined to a nursing home who have no family is an example of ​

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involvement. Actively participating in the campaign of a person seeking election to the General Assembly is an example of ​

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involvement.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

local

state

Multiple Choice

A gambling casino is planned for a major city in Ohio. Many of the residents in your community are against such a casino being built. Which would be the most effective way for citizens to participate in preventing this casino from being built?

• join a political party that has yet to speak out about the casino

• donate money to a candidate running for re-election

• help a community organization that is opposed to the casino

• refuse to pay your Ohio state taxes as a form of protest

Multiple Choice

Citizens of a community react in a variety of ways. Which action could a citizen take to deal with an issue in the community?

• voting for a candidate who is running for the General Assembly

• donating money to a governor who is running for re-election

• offering to sign a petition to get a referendum on the state ballot

• volunteering to work with a neighborhood improvement association