ShmoopTube

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[Dino and Coop singing]

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You've probably been told this by every single teacher in your entire school career, but [Class full of students asleep]

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we didn't want to be left out of the fun, so we're going to tell you, too: participating [Teacher standing up]

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is important. [Teacher points to the blackboard]

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…that wasn't as much fun as we thought it'd be. [The students are all asleep apart from one nerdy looking one]

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Oh well.

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Whether you're participating in spring cleaning at home... [Girl doing chores]

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Or participating in a difficult group project at school... [Kid holding a chemistry flask that explodes]

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It's always nice to be involved.

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If only because it earns you a sweet looking A+ to hang up on the fridge at home.

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Or provides a clean floor for your fridge to hang out on. [Girl looks like she is hating the chores]

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That guy does a great job keeping your food cold.

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And when it comes to politics, it's no different.

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Civil participation refers to the ways in which citizens support their national, state, [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

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and local community, and is a responsibility of all American people. [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

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The most obvious and easiest way to be a good civil participant is by voting. [Jacket with 'I Voted' badge on it]

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Of course, voting doesn't simply involve showing up on election day and checking a box next

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to someone's name.

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Well, okay, that's technically all it involves – but that's not exactly the ideal way to [Kermit the frog at the polling station]

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go about things.

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A good citizen should be well-informed on issues and candidates, and should cast their

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vote accordingly.

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On a national level, citizens vote for their Senators, members of the House of Representatives,

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and even the President of the United States.

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So yeah, it's kind of a big deal. [Abraham Lincoln appears]

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Citizens can also have their voice heard by contacting their Senators and House of

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Representatives members.

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Just maybe try to call them during normal business hours, okay? [Man looks annoyed as phone rings while he is in bed]

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Citizens are able to share ideas that they are passionate about.

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And if the Senator or Representative agrees with the citizen's ideas, they could bring

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it forward to Congress as a bill, potentially turning it into a real law. [Man holding up a document]

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Of course, whether or not they actually agree with your idea is a whole other story. [Man smiling]

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Turning bills into laws is a democratic process because the leaders are elected by the U.S. Citizens

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who are always able to have their votes heard, whether it's by scheduled meeting, written

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letters, or even a phone call.

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So the next time you have a great idea you think your local politician needs to hear, [Man having a haircut and then a light bulb appears over his head]

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get in touch with them!

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Though you might want to check with a friend or family member first, just to make sure [Man suggesting idea to other people]

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your idea doesn't sound totally ridiculous.

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