Question 55 of 100 · 2008 civics test
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
From the 100-question list, the version for applications filed before October 20, 2025.
Accepted answers
- vote
- join a political party
- help with a campaign
- join a civic group
- join a community group
- give an elected official your opinion on an issue
- call Senators and Representatives
- publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
- run for office
- write to a newspaper
Any one of these is accepted, unless the question asks for more than one.
Why this is the answer
Name any two. Voting is the obvious one, but the accepted list is long on purpose: helping with a political campaign, joining a political party, joining a civic or community group, calling your senator or representative about an issue, giving an elected official your opinion, publicly supporting or opposing a policy, running for office, or writing to a newspaper. The study materials add everyday examples in the same spirit, such as volunteering to help new immigrants learn English and civics, joining a school's parent teacher association, running for the local school board, or helping at a polling station. The point is that democracy is maintained by participation, not only on election day. Memory hook: vote, speak up, join, or run.