take action

A local resolution is an expression of support from a town or county body. Local resolutions are a great way to educate the public as well as send a strong signal to state and federal legislators that people care about democracy and the safe and reliable transfer of power.

Know Your Local Community

Every city council, county commission, village board or other local government has different rules about how local resolutions are passed. Find out how it works in your locality. Does the resolution need to go through a subcommittee before reaching the full legislative body? How many votes are needed for the resolution to pass both the subcommittee and the full body? Can the mayor, chair or president veto the resolution?

Research members of your local council/commission and mayor to find out who is most concerned about election integrity. These elected officials will be your first call to set up meetings to discuss the resolution.

Build a Coalition

Find out if there are local groups who are also concerned with these issues, because building a coalition is an important step in this process. The more groups and individuals who express support for the resolution, the more likely it is to pass. You’ll want to reach out to said groups and coordinate efforts to get the resolution passed. Remember to try and have a coalition that is diverse and representative of your community.

Building Support in the Legislator

Schedule informal meetings with your selected elected officials. Bring along key people from your coalition to show there is broad support.

Reach Out to the Local Community

If you have time and resources, you can collect signatures from the local community in support of your resolution that you can take to the public hearing.

Plan for a Great Public Hearing

Fill the room as much as possible with supporters for the resolution. It will be helpful to identify individuals who have a strong voice in the community who are willing to testify in support of the resolution. Before the hearing, make sure to find out the rules for the hearing, including time limits on speakers.

Don’t Give Up!

Sometimes setbacks happen. That’s ok. Continue to build support in your community and do outreach to your elected officials. Sometimes someone will tell you no now, to join the movement later on. You’re on your way. You’re doing great work!

There is no more direct or effective way to engage your local elected officials than by attending a Town Hall and raising your hand or getting in line to ask a question. To find out if your local council has any scheduled Town Halls you can visit their website or call their main office to inquire. Try to bring some friends with you, and plan to have more than one person ask a question along the same lines. For maximum effect, make sure to get a recording of you asking your question. If you post it on social media and tag us, we can help uplift your important activism and encourage others to do the same.

Sample questions that you can ask at a Town Hall

As elected officials, you have earned your right to represent your constituents by winning the most votes in an election. Do you believe in the peaceful transfer of power as a cornerstone of democracy, and if so, do you unequivocally denounce the violence on the January 6th insurrection?

This summer the House Select Committee on the January 6th insurrection held hearings on the findings of their investigation. Their final report is expected to be released this fall. Do you think there should be accountability for what happened on January 6th, and would you sign onto a resolution in support of the peaceful transfer of power?

Since 2020, there has been a persistent Big Lie spread by Donald Trump, that the last presidential election was somehow stolen, despite President Biden winning by more than 7 million votes. This Big Lie inspired a violent mob to attack the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 in an attempt to shut down the certification process. Do you accept the results of the 2020 election?

I am concerned that The Big Lie has so consumed the Far Right that our upcoming elections are in jeopardy, not from voter fraud, but from elected officials acting in their own self-interest. What will you do to make sure that the voters’ will is enacted after the next election?