Use Your Words

Photo by @mizconnell

Welcome to the Great Midterms Wind-up that's already promising to be full of drama and chaos, flex and shift, and a great opportunity to speak out about the issues that mean the most to you and your community. All eyes (already!) on Election Day, November 3, 2026!

Your vote is your voice. We hear and see this everywhere, especially during an election year. We hope everyone is aware that our votes directly influence not only who gets to be in power, but what issues they prioritize. Voting to choose our representatives means we’re choosing who we want to shape the policies that impact our lives. Research candidates and vote for those aligned with your priorities, of course. Not voting means forfeiting our voice. Why would we ever give up that agency?

Once you’ve considered which issues are most important to you, you can make your voice heard with candidates and incumbents at the local, state, and federal levels so they know what matters most to their constituents. After all, they need to be held accountable to our community priorities.

Your words can inspire. Beyond setting an example by exercising your right to vote, when you share your words with your community – in social media, in conversations with neighbors and friends – you’ll be able to inform and motivate your community to learn and act, too.  Encourage your friends and family to vote so every voice can be heard! Our democracy is stronger when more people participate. When we build understanding person-to-person through honest and earnest conversations, we’re more likely to find common ground and motivate others to act.

Actively championing causes, connecting with others in your community, and ensuring your elected officials hear and respond to collective voices all feed a healthy democracy. In fact, it depends on these very actions.

Beyond simply voting and talking about the importance of doing so to bolster our democracy, you can use your words in many other ways – ways that will inspire, motivate, and encourage others to do the same. 

Here are some additional, easy-to-launch ideas for using your words beyond the ballot box:

Writing letters to newspaper editors, crafting and publishing op-eds, posting blogs and ideas to social media channels is a great way to raise awareness around the key issues you care most about. When you share your voice with your words, you’ll help inform and persuade others to do the same.

When you reach out through emails, letters, and calls to your elected representatives with your concerns about the decisions they make, you’ll be making your voice heard on specific legislation and issues that directly impact your community.

You don't have to be an elected official to voice concerns and provide input at the city council or school board and other local government meetings. Use public comment periods to get your ideas across. These are often in-person opportunities and email write-in options, too.

Petitions drive home an issue's importance and show officials the scale of public support or opposition. You might start by discussing issues you feel strongly about with like-minded folks in your community. Gather supporting research, write up a statement to accompany your petition, and hit the streets with your words.

Local newspapers and radio/TV stations are vital for community information flow. Subscribe, read, share, and give feedback to amplify the collective voice on your community’s most pressing issues.

Using your voice beyond the ballot box is vital to creating a strong democracy. At HumansWrite, we hope to inspire you to action and motivate you to share your words with others, and to provide you with some resources and skills, that support your engagement at all levels. 

Using your voice and your words as a citizen goes far beyond voting: When we actively champion causes, connect with others in our community, and ensure our elected officials hear and respond to collective voices, we strengthen our democracy. 

This year, and always, please, use your words, your voice, and your vote!