2026 is wide open. People are setting goals to travel, join the gym, or finally quit that job. Hope is in the air!
Politics, on the other hand, tends to inspire dread. Not excitement, ambition, or positive energy.
But here’s the truth: political engagement doesn’t have to be exhausting, polarizing, or all-consuming. Small, intentional actions add up fast.
Below is a simple 10-step checklist you can start today. None require a political science degree. Most take under five minutes. All of them help build a healthier democracy, and healthier personal relationships with politics.
Note: Episode 7 of the SparkCivic podcast explores these 10 actions in more depth. If you’re an audio learner, find the episode (and more) on Spotify!
About 1 in 4 eligible Americans isn’t registered. Check, update, or preregister (if your state allows it) so future-you doesn’t miss out.
→ Find your state’s official link at sparkcivic.org/election-ready
Primaries often decide who actually wins, yet turnout is shockingly low. Learn your state’s rules (open, closed, top-two, etc.) and show up anyway. Influence matters most before November.
→ Find your state’s election info at sparkcivic.org/election-ready
Be ambitious. Ask things like:
Do they take corporate PAC money?
Are they a newcomer or an incumbent?
What values are non-negotiable?
Candidates work for us, not the other way around. This activity will allow you to dream of a better political future for us.
Not to win. Not to argue.
Just to listen, learn, and connect.
Ask permission. Lead with curiosity. End with gratitude—even if you disagree.
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up—plus countless local offices that shape daily life.
Set three reminders now:
Check voter registration
Primary election date
General election + voting plan
Future-you will be grateful. Find your state’s registration page and election dates here.
Local news is disappearing. And with it, community trust.
Subscribe to a local paper. Share articles with your friends. Strong democracies need strong local reporting.
City council. School board. Planning commission.
Many are livestreamed. You don’t even have to speak. Just watch once and see how decisions are actually made.
The lower it is on the ballot, the closer it is to your daily life—and the fewer people pay attention. Your vote goes further here than almost anywhere else.
Just one word per day. Guess the word, learn its meaning, and share your scores with your friends! Like Wordle, but for democracy 🙂 https://sparkcivic.org/civic-word-of-the-day/
Just one civic action for 5 minutes a day can build strong civic habits and knowledge. Check out our calendar of daily 5-minute actions and add it to your personal calendar! sparkcivic.org/daily-civic-habits
2026 can be the year that we finally make politics work for us.
Share this with a friend. There’s power in numbers :)
-Sara
Founder, SparkCivic
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