Instructions: 

1. Watch and listen to the 60-Second Civics video below. If you'd like, you can also read along using the script that appears below the quiz. Or you can turn on the video's subtitles and read while watching the video.
2. Take the Daily Civics Quiz. If you get the question wrong, watch the video again or read the script and try again.

Episode Description:
Elections have consequences. If you want a say in the political future of our nation, it is up to you to get involved. Luckily, there are many ways to accomplish this. Listen to learn how!

Political Participation: Active Citizenship, Part 3

Welcome to 60-Second Civics from the Center for Civic Education. I’m Mark Gage.

The United States is a representative democracy. 

We are also a republic, meaning that the people choose our representatives at the local, state, and national levels, and these representatives make the laws, rules, and regulations that strongly affect our daily lives.

Elections have consequences.

So, if you want a say in the political future of our nation, it is up to you to get involved.

Luckily, there are many ways to accomplish this.

The first and most basic level is by voting. 

Unfortunately, a third of Americans did not bother to vote in the last presidential election, giving up their right to choose the president, but you don't have to be a statistic.

Voting is easy, but there are a few requirements.

All states except North Dakota require you to register to vote.

Visit vote.gov to learn how to register to and vote in your state.

Another way to get involved is by joining a political party.

Political parties exist in order to bring likeminded people together to advocate for their political beliefs and get their candidates elected. 

Many local communities have organizations that support the major political parties and you can join them for free or for a small fee.

Finally, you can influence the outcome of elections by volunteering for a political campaign. 

This might mean making phone calls, sending text messages, or attending fundraisers. 

Contact your favorite candidate via their website in the months before an election to get started.

These are only some of the ways to get involved in determining the future of our country.

The first step is just getting started. 

Your contribution could make all the difference.

This episode was made possible by the support of T-Mobile.

60-Second Civics, where civic education only takes a minute.