Be Politically Active
Your best chance of having some influence on government is at the local level. If you are a member of a non-profit organization, remember that the organization cannot directly or indirectly participate in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate for public office. Violations may result in revocation of tax-exempt status and/or imposition of certain excise taxes. So, be sure to act on your own and not as a representative of any organization.
Attend town meetings. Learn about the issues facing your community. Meet others who support the same causes you do. Voice your opinion and see what offices in politics appeal to you. Show your support of the political system by voting in every election. More importantly, bring others to the polls with you. Talk about the issues with people and inspire them to let their opinions be heard through their votes.
Help out at a local political office. All political parties need volunteers. Work one on one with them and learn the political process. Network with others involved in local politics. Get in on the ground floor and learn the ropes.
When thinking about your political affiliations, do you favor one candidate or party? Do you believe that you and your influences are on the right side? One thing you don't want to do is settle for what you can get from intimidating, confusing or controlling opposition voters. Political beliefs grow to millions mostly one-by-one. Being involved in your community's local government is a form of service to others, and you can get involved in a variety of ways.
Define your position on the issues and support the legislators who most closely represent your views. You will not see yourself represented well - unless enough people support, influence and help the right people into positions like city council, commissioners, district courts, legislators, elected judges. In many locales, the voters can wait or come back on the actual election day to the polling place just before the poll closes on that election evening and go to the meeting to watch the vote count, talk, and learn about the procedures and opportunities to get involved now or for next time.
Be a poll watcher which is an election voting observer. Sometime well before elections, contact the party or candidate that you support and volunteer to be a poll-watcher, if this is legal in your local election process. You would receive instructions about the duties such as watching out for wrong deeds like electioneering (standing between incoming voters and the polling booths with propaganda of any kind). You would not interfere but only observe and report to designated authorities. You should receive some identification for that candidate or party and the information about who you would call or contact, if you believe there are irregularities or lawbreaking in the polling place.
Participate in voting-place party meetings. These meetings take place for the purpose of deciding what will be on the agenda in the coming year, etc. They are often set up to be held at the end of the party primary-day so be at the polling place just before the poll closes to be admitted at each community voting place. (Some states use "townhall or caucus"--small convention style meetings--instead of individually balloting, so find out what time to be there to participate.) At the primary precinct meeting your polling place officers are elected, as well as delegates to the county meeting (at the county meeting they elect county party officials and also state convention delegates, etc.) and your issues (initiatives) are sent to the next level to be agreed upon or dropped.
Contribute to the local, county or state elections in many ways, as you donate, post signs, stickers, talk, etc. Become a better speaker/speech writer and practice on smaller groups before you move to larger responsibilities. To run for political office you must register with authorities for the office that you want to run for, then organize with a chairperson and treasurer and file these papers with the proper authority, learn about financial reporting, keep records and meet with interested people who can help or donate. Plan for campaign literature and a website: Design and get brochures, handbills, sign and posters. Plan for using a website; perhaps your county or state political party has a website on which you can get a webpage for your use.
Some websites make it simple to contact politicians about the issues that concern us. Bills and resolutions which aim to violate the separation of church and state as well as your rights are introduced on a regular basis in Washington. Sign up with Progressive Secretary and join their letter sending efforts. Also, check in on a regular basis with American United and Enlighten The Vote
If you want to stay current with political happenings that concern the secular community, you can sign up for Action Alerts at: