Advocacy: ACTIVE SUPPORT OF A CAUSEAdvocacy: ACTIVE SUPPORT OF A CAUSE –how citizen involvement can influence the lawmaking process. In our democracy, citizens are responsible for making the law, usually through our elected representatives.In our democracy, citizens are responsible for making the law, usually through our elected representatives.

–The art of advocacy involves persuading others to support the same cause –Advocacy is based on the careful gathering of facts, the development of excellent communication skills, and the creation of an effective plan and time- line. –In order to advocate effectively, you must determine what level or levels of government are responsible for addressing the problem.

Lobbying: is a way to influence the lawmaking process by convincing lawmakers to vote the way you want them to.Lobbying: is a way to influence the lawmaking process by convincing lawmakers to vote the way you want them to. Lobbying involves the right of free speech and often other rights such as assembly, association, and freedom of the pressLobbying involves the right of free speech and often other rights such as assembly, association, and freedom of the press

Lobbyist: is someone who works to convince a lawmaker to vote for or against a particular issue. Lobbyists use political contributions, ads, favors, letter-writing campaigns, and other techniques to influence legislation.

Grassroots lobbyists: a person, or group of people, who works to convince a lawmaker to vote for or against a particular issue by participating in rallies or letter- writing campaignsGrassroots lobbyists: a person, or group of people, who works to convince a lawmaker to vote for or against a particular issue by participating in rallies or letter- writing campaigns Grassroots lobbyists can be very effective, particularly when they join with othersGrassroots lobbyists can be very effective, particularly when they join with others

–Professional lobbyists have advantages over grassroots lobbyists they have more money and know legislators and their staff personally

Voting is a basic constitutional right. Eligible voters may vote for president, vice president, two senators, and one U.S. Representative on the Federal level. They may also vote for governor, state legislators, and numerous other state, county, and local officials.

Initiatives and referendums allow citizens to circulate petitions and put proposed laws on the ballot. –Initiative: is a procedure that enables a specified number of voters to propose a law by petition. The proposed law is then submitted to either the electorate (the people vote on it) or the legislature for approval.

–You and I create the law by getting signatures on a petition. The signatures mean that the people who signed the petition also want the law to be voted on.

Initiative and Referendum (page 34) –Referendum: when a legislative act is referred to voters for final approval or rejection. YOU AND I vote on this.

Initiative and Referendum (page 34) –Recall: allow voters to remove elected officials from office

Initiative and Referendum (page 34)Initiative and Referendum (page 34) –Some people argue that allowing voters to express their opinions directly through initiatives and referenda, rather than indirectly through representatives, is a more democratic system of lawmaking.

–The United States is technically a republic, because people elect representatives to vote on laws instead of us voting on them directly. –We are a Federal (Federalism – states and federal government share powers) Republic (we vote for representatives – senators, representatives, and even president.

Who Can Vote (35) Must be…Must be… 1.A U.S. Citizen 2.18 years old by the date of the election 3.And a resident in the community in which you register