I completed a number of activities that fall under the broad term of “political participation.” Registering eligible citizens to vote in an affluent, predominately white, neighborhood is slightly depressing as many of the people we approached were already voters, and thus we had a low registration number. I found the fact that people who were not registered to vote, and admitted to this, often did not wish to register. One such character actually gave the explanation that their vote does not really count anyways. Yet, having your opinion heard and counted is the whole point of political participation, which includes voting. By stating that their vote does not count, and by not exercising this valuable freedom, they are essentially excepting a totalitarian, or other non-democratic, government. Nevertheless, this man is guaranteed the freedom to not vote, which is civil, but it still aggravating for 
someone who wishes there voice to be heard and changes to be made to witness someone giving up this unique right of voting. Apathy is one of the many obstacles facing political participants as there are no monetary gains, only, personal satisfaction, solidarity, and the benefit of improving one’s life (Pahad 25).
I am not going to be as conceited as to say that Boulder Creek’s Politico club single-handedly passed the Deer Valley District Override, but because of the narrowness of the margin it is undeniable that the information I was a part of influenced the election outcome. In fact, to refute the statement from above, if one person in every precient had changed their vote the Override would not have passed (azcentral.com/elections) which illustrates the power of the vote. I take great personal satisfaction in that passed.
The one thing that I regret from the assorted political participation hours that I completed is the lack of publicity before and after the Political Panel. The low turn-out at the panel was a great learning expe
rience for me as it shows that mobilizing voters is difficult. The low-turnout cannot be completely excused on apathy; there were definite failings in the publicity of it. Now, my appreciation for political campaigns, such as Obama’s in the 2008 election, has increased three-fold. In fact, comparing of the President’s campaign to that of our panel has helped me realize the importance of technology and news in the dissemination of opportunities for political participation. As technology’s role in our lives increase, society and political participation shall play catch-up, maybe to the extent that the ability to use technology the best will directly correlate to the outcome of the election. Because of technology there are more ways to participate politically, and as this expands the make-up of the average person who is politically active may change as well as what actually constitutes as political participation.
Works Cited:
Pahad, Essop. “Political Participation and Civic Engagement: Citizens and the State.” Progressive Politics. Vol. 4 Issue 2. (May 2006). 21 – 26. Policy Network. Web. 08 Dec 2010.
www. azcentral.com/elections
someone who wishes there voice to be heard and changes to be made to witness someone giving up this unique right of voting. Apathy is one of the many obstacles facing political participants as there are no monetary gains, only, personal satisfaction, solidarity, and the benefit of improving one’s life (Pahad 25).I am not going to be as conceited as to say that Boulder Creek’s Politico club single-handedly passed the Deer Valley District Override, but because of the narrowness of the margin it is undeniable that the information I was a part of influenced the election outcome. In fact, to refute the statement from above, if one person in every precient had changed their vote the Override would not have passed (azcentral.com/elections) which illustrates the power of the vote. I take great personal satisfaction in that passed.
The one thing that I regret from the assorted political participation hours that I completed is the lack of publicity before and after the Political Panel. The low turn-out at the panel was a great learning expe
rience for me as it shows that mobilizing voters is difficult. The low-turnout cannot be completely excused on apathy; there were definite failings in the publicity of it. Now, my appreciation for political campaigns, such as Obama’s in the 2008 election, has increased three-fold. In fact, comparing of the President’s campaign to that of our panel has helped me realize the importance of technology and news in the dissemination of opportunities for political participation. As technology’s role in our lives increase, society and political participation shall play catch-up, maybe to the extent that the ability to use technology the best will directly correlate to the outcome of the election. Because of technology there are more ways to participate politically, and as this expands the make-up of the average person who is politically active may change as well as what actually constitutes as political participation.Works Cited:
Pahad, Essop. “Political Participation and Civic Engagement: Citizens and the State.” Progressive Politics. Vol. 4 Issue 2. (May 2006). 21 – 26. Policy Network. Web. 08 Dec 2010.
www. azcentral.com/elections
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