All articles tagged with #civic engagement
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani issued Executive Order 07 to establish the Office of Mass Engagement, consolidating various civic and community engagement entities under a single leadership to improve public participation, streamline feedback processes, and foster stronger relationships between residents and government, with a focus on inclusive outreach and community collaboration.
In rural Wisconsin, a dedicated woman is ensuring her neighbors' votes are counted by actively engaging in voter outreach and education. Her efforts highlight the importance of civic participation in rural communities, where access to voting information and resources can be limited.
Lauren Ashley Simmons defeated incumbent Texas Rep. Shawn Thierry in a Democratic primary runoff, after Thierry faced backlash for siding with Republicans on several bills opposed by the LGBTQ+ community. Simmons, a labor organizer, secured a double-digit lead and will face Republican Lance York in the November general election for House District 146, a heavily Democratic area in Houston.
The annual Army-Navy football game represents honor, tradition, compassion, civility, and unity, embodying the values that bind together those who play and support the teams. As these young men and women soon become officers in the military, their duty will be supported by the values instilled in them at West Point and Annapolis. However, the rest of society also needs to prioritize values such as courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. A survey shows that a majority of Americans believe society is not emphasizing values enough. By teaching and exemplifying these core values, we can make a positive difference in our families, communities, and nation.
Precincts in Iowa are reporting a steady turnout for local city and school district elections, with around 13% of registered voters having cast their ballots by Tuesday afternoon. Officials predict a final turnout of around 22% and emphasize the importance of individual votes, particularly in deciding major issues like the $220-million Cedar Rapids School District bond. Voters are urged to research the issues and candidates and participate in these local elections, as they can have a significant impact on the community's future.
Thirteen presidential libraries and foundations, representing a wide range of political views, have issued an "urgent call to action for all Americans." The statement emphasizes the importance of the rule of law, protection of individual rights, and values such as compassion, tolerance, pluralism, and respect for others. It calls for civil dialogue, respect for democratic institutions, secure elections, and active participation in local, state, or national improvement. The signatories include institutions representing former presidents from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama, highlighting the need for unity and commitment to democratic principles.
The Adirondack Park in upstate New York, once plagued by violent confrontations and deep divisions over environmental regulations, has managed to unite and preserve its wilderness through a gradual shift in culture and a commitment to civil discourse. Former New York Governor George Pataki's environmental plan, which aimed to protect privately owned land from developers, sparked a change in the park's culture and opened the door for a new generation of activists. Despite political differences and national divisions, local government leaders and activists in the Adirondacks have chosen to keep talking and find common ground, resulting in successful land conservation deals and economic development for small towns. The Adirondack experiment serves as a reminder of the power of dialogue and compromise in preserving natural spaces and fostering community unity.
The NAACP's travel advisory warning of Florida's "active hostility" towards minorities is just the beginning of a campaign to engage voters in the state and nationally, according to the organization's leaders. The group rejected calls for an economic boycott of the state, instead urging people to support entertainment centers and companies that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. The advisory follows a similar statement from the advocacy group Equality Florida, which warned of risks to LGBTQ+ people. The NAACP is optimistic that voters will take developments in Florida to the ballot box next year.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a millennial Republican running for president, has proposed raising the minimum voting age for most Americans to 25, citing a need for greater civic engagement. The proposal has faced backlash from youth-vote organizers, including in his own party, who say it will suppress the vote and remind them of Jim Crow laws. The GOP has pushed for stricter election laws, including regulations that would affect young voters. Ramaswamy's proposal would require a constitutional amendment and meeting certain requirements to vote before turning 25, such as passing a civics test.
Comedians like David Perdue, Michelle Wolf, and Joel Kim Booster are using humor to tackle climate change and bring levity to a topic that is increasingly present in everyday life. Social scientists say that comedy can motivate feelings of hope and optimism, combat climate doom, and boost civic engagement. The Climate Comedy Cohort, a joint project between American University’s Center for Media & Social Impact and Generation180, announced a new class of comedians earlier this month. Programs like this can help combat climate doom and inaction by focusing on solutions.