Political participation
US citizens have a wide range of opportunities to take part in political activities, including voting, standing as candidates, joining political parties and joining interest or pressure groups.
Voting
The US A set of laws by which a country is governed. guarantees the right to vote for elected officials in federal, state and local elections. Parties or occasionally independent candidates, compete for all different positions with voters having a free choice in secret ballots.
At the federal level, US voters choose:
- the US President and Vice President
- senators, congressmen and congresswomen.
At the state and local level, US voters choose a range of representatives including:
- a state governor or vice governor
- state senators and state legislative officials
- city or town mayors.
There are also local elections in many states for posts such as local judges and police sheriffs although which posts are subject to an election varies from state to state.
There are also many referenda or ballot measures which allow US citizens a direct vote on specific issues.
Turnout in elections (especially at state and county levels) is often very low. This may be because many people, especially ethnic minority groups, believe their views will not be represented.
In the USA the age to vote in election is eighteen years old.
Interest groups
American citizens may choose to become involved in interest groups, which attempt to influence the government through lobbying, social media campaigns, protests, and/or demonstrations. Examples include the National Rifle Association and the American Medical Association.
Many US interest groups are well-funded, well-organised and well supported. The National Association of Realtors, who lobby on behalf of the real estate industry, has over 1.5 million members and spent $84 million lobbying in 2022.
Subject to certain laws, political lobbying is legal in the US. However, there are concerns that well-funded, professional lobbyists can be too influential within the political process and this leads to poorer policy or law making which is not in the public interest.