Vote. Every Day.
A message from our Executive Director, following the November 2026 election.
The polls are now closed, and the results are in. I hope you voted. It’s arguably the most American thing you can do.
But while voting is unquestionably necessary to sustain a democracy, it alone is insufficient. We often think about our rights in this country; but as Richard Haass argues in his 2023 book The Bill of Obligations, combating growing apathy and antipathy in America will require us to also think about our responsibilities as good citizens.
So if you’re looking for a less controversial topic to kickstart the Thanksgiving dinner dialogue this year, you might ask yourself, family, and friends – How can I vote every day? How can I use my time, resources, and expertise to build a better community and society?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Get to know your neighbors.
It’s one of the easiest ways to boost your physical and mental wellbeing, and it just might save a life – in disaster after disaster, research has shown that knowing one’s neighbors dramatically increases the chances of survival.
Need some help getting acquainted? Apply for C4C’s Land of 1,000 Picnics micro-grant. We’ll give you $150 to host a neighborhood potluck or social gathering.
Volunteer.
Studies have linked volunteering to greater happiness, reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and many more physical and mental health benefits. Plus, there are dozens of local nonprofits, clubs, and committees in need of your support.
Check out volunteerinsisters.org for lots of local volunteer opportunities, or consider applying for an open seat on a City advisory board (applications are due November 15th).
Embrace discomfort.
Our lives are increasingly frictionless. It’s easier than ever to tailor our friendships, gathering spaces, media consumption, and news feeds to our own tastes and opinions. But democracy requires compromise and common ground, not writing off anyone that doesn’t think like us.
So maybe go grab a beer with that person you disagree with, or lean into that awkward debate at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Our civility tool cards can help you create ground rules for constructive dialogue. Or check out our recommended reading list on this topic at bookshop.org/lists/civility.
Remember – we’re not as divided as we think.
Research shows that while Americans perceive a stark “Red vs. Blue” ideological chasm in our country, the reality is much more of a purplish hue. The majority of us – over 60% of the population, by Pew Research Center’s estimate – have values and priorities that place us in a “messy middle,” sharing views that span party lines.
Want to see how your perceptions of the “other side” align – or don’t – with reality? Take the Perception Gap quiz at perceptiongap.us. There’s more common ground than meets the eye.
Have fun together.
Making new friends around a fire at The Barn, do-si-do-ing at C4C’s community dance, or swaying to live music together at The Belfry might not feel like an act of democracy. But it’s moments like these that build the personal and collective trust we need to come together when times get tough.
We saw this play out during the Flat and Akawa Butte fires. When the flames blew toward town, folks rolled up their sleeves and rallied to help their neighbors, without first asking who they voted for. Everyday relationships built through shared experiences strengthen our sense of community, and that makes us more inspired to help – even when we don’t personally know those affected.
It’s tempting to think that our civic duties end on Election Day, and that the future of our country then rests in the hands of those we elected. But communities and societies are shaped just as much by the accumulation of ordinary acts – ones that we can do every day.
Showing up for our neighbors. Lending a hand to those in need. Choosing curiosity over judgment. Or just having a party. Democracy is a muscle, and all of these practices count as exercise.
So regardless of whether you’re happy with the election results, I hope you’ll get back out there and vote – today, tomorrow, and every day after. Our community depends on it.
Contact information:
Kellen Klein | Executive Director, Citizens4Community (C4C)
425-260-8411 (c) | 541-203-0527 (o) | director@citizens4community.com