Introduction To Civic Participation

Civic participation, the active engagement of people in the formal and informal decision-making processes that shape their communities and their lives, is critical to a healthy society. In fact, we only realize the full promise of democracy when people participate; when all segments of a community have fair and equal access to institutions of government and meaningful opportunities to voice their opinions about the important issues driving the public policy agenda.

Civic participation takes many forms, but in a democracy an important part of our voice is our vote. Unfortunately, discrimination, arcane and often arbitrary local election rules, and other barriers often get in the way of the opportunity to participate in elections, especially for those who are already disadvantaged and underrepresented.

FCCP exists to make democracy work through promoting civic participation. Our members support organizations that actively register and mobilize voters, monitor and reform election laws, promote voter protection, and reduce structural barriers to voting while also fostering new ways to inspire people to get involved in civic life beyond the ballot box.

Because FCCP knows that keeping people involved in democracy and sustaining civic participation over the long-term requires state and local organizational infrastructure, a growing part of our work is dedicated to building strong organizations and state "tables" or networks where groups can share plans, resources, training and coordinate a broad range of activities.