Name Tate D

Date Feb 26 19

Civic Engagement

Electoral participation is an activity I consider critical in determining civic engagement. I

consider this an important process as it makes or breaks a country. The electoral process is what

gives rise to a country's leadership. If the right choices are made at the ballot box, the country is

steered to the right direction and vice versa. Often, the voter turnout in the national election is

higher than the local ones. This should not mean that the local elections are not significant to the

population. It is sad that voter apathy still affects our electoral process. The failure of citizens to

take part in elections comes with far-reaching implications. When eligible voters fail to turn out

to cast the ballot, they disadvantage the underprivileged and enfranchised members of the nation.

Their voices are silenced (Breed and Prentki,). The electoral process should also not be

considered as a censure instrument, but a form of support to a popular leader. Some eligible

voters often fail to participate because they are satisfied with the services of the serving

administration. Their apathy could lead to another administration taking over from the

government that satisfied their desires, unfortunately. Therefore, participating in an electoral

process is necessary for every individual. It is an instrument of expressing approval or

disapproval to the serving government or aspiring candidates which should be based on their

track record of socio-economic, political, and economic development.

Being civically engaged to me does not just mean participating in the elections. It goes

beyond casting the ballot. Civic engagement implies working toward making a difference in the

manner we conduct our civic life. It involves the development of a set of skills, knowledge and
values to make the society more progressive in its leadership (Pancer, 27). Civic engagement

implies the promotion of the community's quality of life, not only through the political processes

but also other community-building initiatives. Putting the current administration to task, keeping

it on toes and raising pertinent questions about the shortcomings of the government, go a long

way in making life more worthwhile to the country's citizens and residents. I seek to become

civically engaged by being a responsible citizen. I consider myself as an important part of the

bigger social fabric. As such, the problems that affect my community affect me as well. I have

the willingness and zeal to contribute toward building a moral society through my judgments,

sensitizing the members of my community on the need to participate in the affairs of my country.

I will use the available social media platforms to create awareness on the need to contribute to

the country.

I would also gladly utilize myself in voluntary exercises aimed at changing the mindsets

of the community to be civically engaged. Since I am constrained by financial resources, I will

seek some financial aid to help raise awareness among the community members on the need to

take part in elections and other political engagements. I am particularly interested in working as a

volunteer with high profile organizations such as the United Nations to help raise and sustain

awareness among my community members to wake up and play their part in nation building. I

am passionate about talking to people, an attribute that will win many eligible voters who may

not want to honor their call to play the civic duty. I will volunteer to conduct voter education and

ensure that the turnout in the subsequent elections in the areas will reach improves significantly.

Works Cited
Breed, Ananda, and Prentki, Tim. Performance and Civic Engagement. [Cham, Switzerland]:

Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.

Pancer, Mark. The Psychology of Citizenship and Civic Engagement. New York, NY Oxford

University Press, 2015.