Ann DeLaney

POLITICS FOR DUMMIES CHEAT SHEET

politics for dummies

• HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS 

• Register to vote.

• Vote in every election.

• Join a political party.

• Vote in primaries.

• Read and listen to the information about the candidates — cast an informed vote.

• Ask questions of candidates and elected officials.

• Don’t hesitate to tell officials when they’ve done something you don’t like.

• Thank officials when they do something you do like.

• Use your phone, the mail, your fax, your computer e-mail — let your representatives hear from you often.

• Circulate petitions and join with others who think as you do.

• Become a delegate to a national convention

• HOW TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS

•  County board of elections or voter registration

• State election board

• Local office of the League of Women Voters

• Public library

• State or county headquarters of the Republican or Democratic party Ask the person to give you the following information (make sure you have your address book with you):  

• Your congressional district, congressperson, and the office phone number  

• Your legislative district, state legislator, and the main number at the statehouse  

• Your state senate district, state senator, and a phone number at the statehouse  

• INFORMATION TO HAVE WHEN CALLING ELECTED OFFICIALS

• Be prepared to give your name and address.

• Tell the person precisely why you are calling.

• If you are calling about a particular piece of legislation, give the number of the bill, if possible.  

• Tell the individual whether you are for or against the legislation and why.

• Be patient; other voters may be calling to express their views, too.

• CANDIDATE SELECTION CHECKLIST

• Because you’ve only one vote to cast, your candidate choice is crucial. How do you know what to look for in a political candidate? Do a little research to help you get to know something about each candidate and use these useful tips:

• Things to Watch Out For

• Does the candidate appear intelligent, or is he just filling out the suit?

• Is the candidate qualified for the job?  

• Does she have the education and experience to handle the job?  

• Do you agree with the programs and ideas the candidate has proposed?

• Are you comfortable with the groups and the individuals who support the candidate?

• Can you trust the candidate?

• Does he pass the elevator test? (If an elevator door opened in front of you and getting on meant you would ride alone with the candidate, would you get on?)  

• Is the candidate a leader?

• Does she have ideas of her own?  

• Things to Watch Out For

• Candidates who make appeals to your emotions — not to your intelligence

• Candidates who identify problems — but don’t propose realistic solutions

• Candidates who offer simple, no-sacrifice solutions to complex problems

• Candidates who talk exclusively about hot-button issues such as race, immigration, the flag, English as the official language, and class warfare, but not about such issues as taxes, health care, and the budget  

• Candidates with shady dealings in their backgrounds

• Candidates who tell you what they think you want to hear

• Candidates who use negative campaign tactics to give you a false impression of the competition  

• How to Supporting Your Candidate

• Volunteer your time — contact voters, organize events, distribute literature.

• Contribute money or help the candidate raise money.

• Remember to vote for your candidate on election day.