Absentee Ballot Request for US-based and Overseas Voters Abroad, Election Dates / Deadlines, and How to Vote in your State

Civics Crash Course Lesson 4
The Constitution was designed to protect individual rights from the tyranny of the majority. States may be instrumental in safeguarding your freedoms.

American democracy exists within a federal system. Federalism is a form of government that is divided between a central authority and smaller units of power.

Over the weekend of June 7, 2025, CA Governor Newsom claimed the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard in California is a breach of state sovereignty.

Our Civics Crash Course will help you unpack the powers held by states and how they interface with the federal government.

Civics Crash Course Lesson 3
Democracy, fundamentally, is the rule of the people. But what does ‘the people ruling’ look like in practice? Citizens voting for other citizens to serve as representatives in government - that’s the main way popular sovereignty manifests in the United States. Voting is, in fact, the most common method of democratic participation in our republic.

Our beloved nation would languish without citizens stepping up to run for office or stepping out to cast ballots. While taking part in elections is essential for our democracy to survive, the founders were keenly aware that our republic would require an involved, educated citizenry for our nation to thrive.

Civics Crash Course - Lesson 2
As our nation debated ratification of the Constitution in the late eighteenth century, the Anti-Federalists raised concerns about the danger of federal representatives losing touch with their constituents in a nation as sizable as the United States.

Between elections, institutional mechanisms are in place to hold elected officials responsible if they fail to be representative or act in bad faith.

By design, there are several formal and informal means available for our institutions to hold elected officials accountable for their actions and in-actions.