Voting is a big deal. It’s so important that there are even, “certain situations in which undocumented residents can vote in elections.” If you believe everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, you can do much more than vote in the next election.
Money gets a bad rap when election time comes around, but there are ways you can use your money for good the next time everyone is ready to head to the polls.
Donate Funds to a Candidate You Support
The quickest and easiest way to use your money for good is to donate to a candidate you support. There are a lot of rules when it comes to those who can donate, who can’t, and how much you can contribute, but most individuals are free to donate as much as they would like.
Personal donations are often what keep some candidates afloat, making it an especially good strategy if you support a candidate that isn’t mainstream.
Offer to Host a Small Event
You don’t necessarily have to give your money directly to a political campaign. Instead, you can offer to host an event. Some ideas include:
- Hosting a get-to-know-the-candidate party in your home
- Donating food to a speaking engagement or a dinner party
- Offering to host an election day event
The main goal with using your money this way is to drum up support for a candidate. Everything from having stickers printed to inviting friends and family over for the big debate can all be great ways to contribute your funds to a political campaign.
Donate to Voter Participation Efforts
Voter participation is extremely low in the United States. Only 56-percent of US citizens cast ballots in the 2016 presidential election. The US actually trails the developed world in voter turnout.
If you don’t want to donate directly to a particular candidate, focus your efforts on increasing voter turnout instead. You can donate to groups and associations that focus on reaching out to citizens, regardless of their party affiliation.
Offer to Drive People to the Polls
If you’re looking for a way to contribute a little bit of your time along with a little bit of your money, consider offering to drive people to the polls. There are many programs, like WomenVotes, that enable you to get involved by picking people up and taking them to vote.
You don’t necessarily have to find an organization in order to help people by driving them to their polling place. Reach out to friends and family members to see if they could use a ride. Elderly citizens in your neighborhood would especially appreciate getting a ride to their local polling place.
If you want to do more than simply vote in the next election, there are many ways you can put your money to good use. Try one of the ideas on this list, and you can feel good that you went above and beyond your civic duty to make our country the best place it can be.