Search - Education

Defend Democracy Together

Everything You Need to Know About Democracy, Government, and Elections.

What Is Democracy?

In a democracy, the power comes from the people. Rather than citizens making every decision directly, they elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf: This system is known as a representative democracy.

Citizens choose their leaders through elections, those leaders create laws and policies, and voters retain the power to replace them in future elections. Beyond voting, citizens can influence decisions by staying informed, participating in their communities, and speaking up about issues that matter.

Who Does What in a Democracy:

Citizens play a central role by voting, staying informed, participating in civic life, and by holding leaders accountable. Elected representatives are responsible for proposing laws, making policy decisions, and representing the interests of the people who elected them. Government institutions carry out and enforce laws, administer elections, and provide public services. Democracy functions best when citizens, representatives, and institutions are all active and balanced in their roles.

How Do Election Work?

How Elections Actually Work

Understanding how elections work helps reduce confusion, build trust, and empower citizens to participate with confidence. Below explains how elections function at the local, state, and federal levels, and what happens before, during, and after votes are cast.

Types of Elections

Elections take place at multiple levels of government.
Local elections choose officials such as city council members, mayors, school board members, and county officers, and they often determine decisions about schools, zoning, taxes, and public services.

State elections select governors, state legislators, judges, and other officials who set statewide laws and policies related to education, healthcare, labor, and budgets.

Federal elections choose the president and members of Congress, who make national laws and decisions about defense, federal spending, and foreign policy. While federal elections receive the most attention, local and state elections often have a more immediate impact on daily life.

The Election Timeline

Elections follow a structured timeline. Before voting begins, candidates announce their campaigns, voters register or update their information, and ballots are prepared and tested.

During the voting period, some states offer early voting, while Election Day voting occurs on a designated date. Absentee and mail-in ballots are also collected during this time.

After voting ends, ballots are counted and verified, results are reviewed, and winners are officially certified by local or state authorities.

How Votes Are Counted

Each vote is recorded and securely stored using systems determined by the state, including paper ballots, electronic machines, or a combination of both. Ballots are reviewed for validity before being counted, and provisional ballots are only included once voter eligibility is confirmed. After counting is complete, election officials certify the results. Multiple safeguards, audits, and verification steps are built into the process to ensure accuracy and integrity.

How Elections Are Funded

The administration of elections such as staffing polling places, printing ballots, and maintaining voting systems, is funded by the taxpayers.
Political campaigns are funded separately through candidates, political parties, political action committees, and individual donors.
Campaign finance laws often vary by state and federal level.

Why Participation Matters

Elections determine who makes decisions that affect everyday life. Higher voter participation helps ensure election outcomes reflect the priorities of the community. When people do not participate, it can be interpreted as acceptance of existing leadership or policies. Informed and engaged voters play an essential role in holding representatives accountable.

Common Misconceptions

Elections are sometimes described as “rigged,” but in reality, they are highly regulated and closely monitored, with widespread fraud being extremely rare. Another common belief is that local elections do not matter, even though local officials often have direct influence over schools, housing, and public safety. Some voters feel their vote does not make a difference, yet many elections are decided by very small margins, making individual participation meaningful.

The Levels of Government

Government in the United States is divided into three main levels—local, state, and federal—each with different responsibilities. Understanding these levels helps voters see how decisions are made and how elections affect daily life.

Local Government:

Local government has the most direct impact on everyday life. Officials such as city council members, mayors, school board members, county commissioners, sheriffs, and local judges make decisions that affect schools, local taxes, zoning and housing, public safety, emergency services, and community programs.

State Government:

State government sets rules and policies that apply across the entire state. Leaders such as the governor, state legislators, secretary of state, and attorney general oversee areas including voting laws, state budgets, education standards, healthcare programs, and major infrastructure projects.

Federal Government:

To prevent corruption and to provide a seperation of power, our federal government is broken up into 3 equal branches:

The Executive Branch: This consist of the President, Vice President, Cabinet, and a mix of federal agencies and departments. It is their job to enforce laws, command the armed forces, and conduct foreign policy.

The Legislative Branch: This consist of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representives. Their job is to regulate commerce, control taxing and spending, and declare war.

The Judicial Branch: This consist of the Supreme Court, their job is to interpret the law and constitution, settle legal disputes, and can declare executive action over laws and rulings.

Why This Matters:

While federal elections often receive the most attention, local and state elections frequently have a more immediate impact on daily life. Participating at every level of government helps ensure communities are represented and heard.

How to Research Politics?

With so many platforms, ads, and news sources, researching candidates and ballot issues can feel overwhelming. This guide shows you how to find accurate, trustworthy information so you can make informed voting decisions efficiently and with confidence.

Start With Reliable Sources

Begin your research using official and nonpartisan sources. Local government websites provide information about city council members, school boards, and local initiatives. State election websites list candidate filings, official statements, and ballot measures. Nonpartisan voter guides—such as those from the League of Women Voters, Ballot Ready, or local civic organizations—offer neutral, side-by-side comparisons designed to inform rather than persuade. These sources are generally reliable and less likely to include misinformation.

A Simple Research Process

Start by listing the offices and measures that will appear on your ballot using a sample ballot or official preview. Gather information from candidate websites, nonpartisan guides, and verified public statements or interviews. Take notes as you go, focusing on policy positions, experience, and past actions. Compare candidates based on the issues that matter most to you, and check more than one source to confirm accuracy. Staying objective and setting a time limit can help prevent information overload.

Stay Focused and Avoid Overwhelm

Organizing your research using bullet points, spreadsheets, or a notebook can make information easier to compare. Prioritize the issues most important to you and avoid sensationalized posts or political ads that rely on emotion rather than facts. Taking breaks and discussing your findings with trusted friends or family can also provide helpful perspective.

How to Discuss Politics Without Burning Out?

In today’s political environment, engaging in political discussions can feel stressful or overwhelming. This guide offers strategies to help you stay informed, communicate respectfully, and protect your mental and emotional well-being while participating in civic conversations.

Set Healthy Boundaries:

Start by deciding how much time and energy you want to spend on political content each day.

Choose which platforms you engage with such as news outlets, social media, or in-person conversations and limit exposure to spaces that feel toxic or unproductive.

Stepping away when needed is not avoidance; it’s a form of self-care that supports long-term engagement.

Listen Before Responding:

Approaching conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness can reduce conflict.

Listening to understand, asking open-ended questions, and taking time to reflect before responding can clarify both perspectives.

If a discussion becomes personal, hostile, or strays from respectful dialogue, it’s okay to end the conversation.

Rely on Fact-Based Information:

Using verified, nonpartisan sources helps keep discussions grounded and productive.

Avoid relying on rumors, sensational headlines, or emotionally charged posts, and cross-check information before sharing or referencing it in conversation.

Keep Conversations Constructive:

Productive discussions often begin with shared values or common goals.

Focusing on policies and ideas rather than personal attacks helps maintain respect, even when there is disagreement.

Staying calm, acknowledging differing viewpoints, and agreeing to disagree when necessary can prevent conversations from escalating.

Take Breaks and Protect Your Energy:

If political discussions leave you feeling frustrated or anxious, take intentional breaks.

Scheduling time away from political content and engaging in activities that help you relax or recharge can restore balance and prevent burnout.

Tips for Long-Term Balance:

Balancing political discussion with hands-on civic actions like volunteering, attending local meetings, or contacting representatives can feel more fulfilling than constant news consumption.

Smaller, respectful conversations are often more productive than large online forums, and focusing on achievable actions can help maintain motivation.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse