Keith Mack
Laws are the cornerstone of any society, protecting our rights and helping us define right from wrong. However, if a law is unfair or outdated, it must evolve to ensure that justice prevails. While changing a law can be challenging, it is not impossible. The process of altering legislation varies depending on the level of government involved, be it local, state, or national. For example, a local ordinance can be changed through a town or city council, while federal laws in the US are altered through Congress. The first step is to identify the governing body responsible for the law and then gather support, whether through petitions, media attention, or meetings with local lawmakers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Laws can be changed by the people | True |
| Ways to change the law | Petitioning, peaceful protesting, voting, lobbying elected representatives, filing an initiative or referendum |
| Who to approach to change the law | Local government, local councillor, supervisor, mayor, county executive, state representative, senator, congressman |
| What to do when changing a local law | Research the mayor and council members, attend community meetings, meet with chosen lawmaker |
| What to do when changing a state law | Identify state representative and senator, file an initiative or referendum if allowed by the state |
| What to do when changing a federal law | Approach a senator or congressman |
| What to do when changing a law related to tax and revenue | Approach the House of Representatives |
| What to do when changing a law related to presidential nominations and treaties | Approach the Senate |
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What You'll Learn
The democratic process
Democracy is a system of government that gives people the power to change things. It is a form of government where the citizens are involved in the decision-making process, and this is done through various democratic processes.
One of the key democratic processes is voting. In a democracy, citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for their leaders, such as the President or members of Congress. Informed voting is crucial, as it ensures that citizens elect effective leaders who represent their interests and values. However, voting is not the only way for citizens to participate in a democracy.
Another important democratic process is the right to petition. Citizens can transmit their proposals or concerns to their elected representatives, who have the power to introduce new laws or changes on their behalf. This can be done through writing letters, making phone calls, or signing petitions. Additionally, citizens can also communicate directly with their representatives to advocate for certain policies or laws that are important to them.
Jury duty is another democratic process in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Citizens who meet certain qualifications, such as being 18 years or older in the US, have the opportunity to serve on a jury and participate in the justice system. This is an essential component of the right to a fair trial by peers, as guaranteed by the US Constitution.
Furthermore, paying taxes is also a civic duty in a democracy. Taxes are used to fund public resources like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and military. While the amount of taxes and how they should be spent are often debated, paying taxes gives citizens a stake in the government and can influence government policy. However, it is important to ensure that democracy does not become a "pay-to-play" system where those with more financial resources have a stronger influence.
In conclusion, the democratic process encompasses various mechanisms that enable citizens to participate in decision-making and influence government policies. Through voting, petitioning, jury duty, and paying taxes, individuals can contribute to the functioning of a democratic society and drive changes to laws and policies that reflect their values and interests.
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Local government
In the United States, local governments generally consist of two tiers: counties (or boroughs in Alaska and parishes in Louisiana) and municipalities (cities or towns). In some states, counties are further divided into townships. Mayors, city councils, and other governing bodies are typically directly elected by the people. However, it's important to note that local governments do not have inherent law-making powers like federal and state governments. Instead, they must be granted power by the state.
State governments, on the other hand, have legislatures made up of elected representatives who create legislation that becomes law. These laws can cover a range of topics, from police departments and schools to more local concerns like property rules and fees for littering. The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves powers not granted to the federal government for the states and the people, giving state governments significant influence over local matters.
While local governments may have less direct law-making power, citizens can still influence legislation that affects their communities. For example, bills for new or amended laws can be petitioned by people or citizen groups to members of Congress. Additionally, with the help of technology provided by companies like CivicPlus, residents can stay informed about local legislative changes and receive updates and alerts about their community's regulations. CivicPlus allows users to browse laws governing their community, track changes over time, and access relevant council meeting notes and recordings.
By staying informed and engaged, citizens can play an active role in understanding and influencing the laws that govern their local communities, even if the power to make those laws ultimately rests with the state.
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Protesting and petitioning
In the United States, the First Amendment protects citizens' right to assemble and express their views through protest. Protesters can march in streets or on sidewalks without a permit, as long as they don't obstruct traffic. However, certain events, such as large rallies or street closures, may require permits. The government may impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of protests to minimise disruption, but demonstrations should still be allowed within "sight and sound" of their intended audience. Protest organisers are generally not held responsible for unlawful acts committed by attendees, as long as their words don't directly incite violence or law-breaking. Counterprotesters also have free speech rights, and police must treat all protesters equally, maintaining a separation between antagonistic groups while allowing them to remain within sight and sound of each other.
Petitioning is another effective method for citizens to demand legal changes. Online platforms like Change.org enable individuals to create and circulate petitions, gathering support for various causes. For instance, a petition on Change.org seeks to introduce stricter laws and penalties for reckless drivers, addressing a case where a speeding driver caused a fatal accident. Similarly, another petition aims to protect pets in vehicle theft cases by advocating for minimal or mitigated punishments for perpetrators who safely return stolen pets. Petitions provide a platform for individuals to address specific issues and gather support for potential legal reforms.
While protesting and petitioning are valuable tools for citizens to express their concerns and seek legal changes, it's important to be aware of potential risks and restrictions. In some cases, authorities may use surveillance technologies to track protesters, infringing on their privacy rights. Additionally, certain laws, such as those related to "critical infrastructure," can result in felony charges for protesters who enter posted property containing pipelines, even if they cause no damage. Understanding local laws and regulations is crucial for individuals considering protesting or petitioning to ensure their actions remain within legal boundaries.
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Legislative process
The legislative process is the process by which a bill becomes a law. The legislative process is different in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the two chambers that make up Congress, the lawmaking branch of the federal government. The legislative process comprises several steps, and the process by which a bill becomes law is rarely predictable, varying significantly from bill to bill.
The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the Senate or House of Representatives, be proposed during an election campaign, or be petitioned by people or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them. Any member of the House of Representatives may introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session by placing it in the "hopper" at the side of the Clerk's desk in the House Chamber. The bill is then assigned a legislative number by the Clerk and referred to the committee of jurisdiction, which is the committee charged with reviewing the bill. The House of Representatives divides its work among over twenty permanent committees, each chaired by a member of the majority party. Committees provide the most intensive consideration of a proposed measure and are the forum where the public is given the opportunity to be heard. Once a bill is introduced and referred to the committee of jurisdiction, the committee will often send the measure to its specialised subcommittee(s) for study, hearings, revisions, and approval. Usually, the first step in this process is a public hearing where the committee or subcommittee members hear witnesses representing various viewpoints on the measure.
If the bill is released by the committee, it is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated, or amended. If the bill passes by a simple majority (218 out of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. If the Senate makes changes, the bill must return to the House for concurrence. The bill then returns to the House and Senate for final approval. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions.
While Congress is the engine of legislative ideas and action, the President has influence in the legislative process. The President recommends an annual budget for federal agencies and often suggests legislation. The power to veto legislation can also affect the content of bills passed by Congress, as it is unusual for a law to be enacted over a presidential veto.
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Constitutional amendments
The process of amending the Constitution of the United States is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. It is a difficult and time-consuming process, as the framers intended for the Constitution to be a lasting document.
The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was first drafted in 1787, including the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, which were adopted four years later. The process of proposing an amendment can begin in two ways. Firstly, Congress can propose an amendment with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Alternatively, two-thirds of state legislatures can request that Congress call a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments. However, in practice, all amendments have been proposed by Congress, and a Constitutional Convention has never been convened.
Once an amendment is proposed by Congress, it is forwarded to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for processing and publication. The amendment then needs to be ratified, or approved, by three-quarters of the States (38 out of 50) to become part of the Constitution. The ratification process is administered by the Archivist of the United States, who is the head of NARA.
The amendment process ensures that any changes to the Constitution are carefully considered and have a significant impact on the country and its citizens. Some examples of notable amendments include those that granted women the right to vote, abolished poll taxes, and lowered the minimum voting age.
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Frequently asked questions
Identify the local law you want to change and the people responsible for creating or changing it. Then, attend community meetings and share your concerns with local lawmakers. You can also file an initiative or referendum if your state allows it and collect signatures of registered state voters on a petition.
Identify your state representative and senator, and reach out to them. You can also file a state referendum if your state allows it and collect signatures to get it on the ballot.
Identify the national law you want to change and enlist the help of a Senator or Congressman. You can also propose changes to the law by writing to your elected representatives.
The democratic process involves peaceful protesting, petitioning the government, and exercising your right to vote. You can also attend community meetings, contact your elected representatives, and collect signatures on a petition to support your cause.
Use striking images that portray emotion and tell a personal story to make people feel the impact of the law. Share your campaign on social media and local platforms to reach a wider audience and build momentum for your cause.
