Get Involved

TIP #1: REGISTER TO VOTE
In less than a minute, you can become a registered voter. If you've already registered and have moved since the last election, you need to update your registration. You can do that online too. Click here and do it now.

TIP #2: GET INFORMED
Knowledge is power and we sure need some of that. Here are some websites to check out that make it easy to stay on top of the news and track what's happening on the issues you care most passionately about. Most have email alerts and news briefs that you can sign up to receive on a regular basis, all delivered straight to your inbox.

18 to 35 - www.18to35.org
A non-profit, non-partisan policy organization dedicated to engaging young adults in the political process. Check out their site for fact sheets, poll data and basic information about the economic issues facing young adults.

Center for American Progress - www.centerforamericanprogress.org
A one-stop source for info on domestic and foreign policy-and a political analysis of the daily news. The Center is a non-profit, non-partisan policy organization that promotes progressive ideas for a strong, just and free America. Sign up for The Progress Report, a daily email deconstructing the news and the important issues facing the nation.

Campus Progress - www.campusprogress.org
Still in college? Be sure to hook up with the Campus Progress. It's an effort to strengthen progressive voices on college and university campuses nationwide; counter the growing influence of right-wing groups on campus; and empower new generations of progressive leaders.

Demos - www.Demos.org
A non-profit, non-partisan policy organization that promotes greater economic opportunity and democratic participation. Sign up for the monthly Around the Kitchen Table ejournal to learn how major economic issues are impacting real people. Sign up for Democracy Dispatches to get the latest information on election reform issues.

Generationdebt.org
If you've got student loans, this site will tell you about loan consolidation and alert you when Congress is considering legislation that will impact your loans.

National Partnership for Women & Families - www.nationalpartnership.org
Struggling to balance work and family? Frustrated about the lack of affordable child care? The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that uses public education and advocacy to promote fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

Project on Student Debt - www.projectonstudentdebt.org
The Project on Student Debt works to increase public understanding about the new reliance on borrowing to pay for college and what it means for us and our families.

Rock the Vote - www.rockthevote.com
Rock the Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that mobilizes young people to create positive social and political change in their lives and communities. Visit the site to get registered to vote, join the campaign to save social security and sign up for email alerts.

TIP #3: READ A MAJOR NEWSPAPER. EVERY DAY.*
It may sound old fashioned, but if you don't read the paper, you're out of the loop. The papers pick up lots of news that the TV news doesn't cover. Important stuff that just can't be molded to conform to the "deadly bacteria lurking in your kitchen" segments that now dominate the local news. Read it online, or get your fingers dirty. Either way, just read it. You'll thank me for it, I promise.

*Saturday is optional, so skip it if you want.

TIP #4: GET POLITICAL.
Now that you know what's going on in Congress and have signed up for action alerts on the issues you care about, it's time to start speaking out. Pick up the phone and call your Congressperson. Send them an email. It's simple and it works. You don't have to do it every week, or every month for that matter. Just do it when something you care strongly about-either positively or negatively-is happening.

TIP #5: VOTE.
Yeah, I know it often feels like it doesn't matter. Or that the choice is really about voting for the lesser of two evils. But until our generation starts flexing their muscle at the ballot box, we've got no credibility. So, remind your politicians that you exist. Vote. And not just in presidential elections either. For everything you need to know about voting, check out Project Vote Smart. You won't be disappointed.