Byte of the Week

It’s the perfect time of year to tout one of my favorite resources – Minnesota E-Democracy.

E-Democracy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan web site that provides valuable information on local politics. First and foremost E-Democracy hosts public discussions on local policies. These discussions are often passionate, always respectful, and occasionally lead to real change. You can find a list of the discussions on their web site. Discussions are email and web-based.

MyBallot is a neat addition to E-Democracy. It’s an interactive web site that tells you who is going to be on the ballot at your polling station (based on the address you provide). There are links to information on each candidate and it even includes the address for your polling station. The data isn’t in quite yet for 2003 – but it should be up very soon.

E-Democracy is always looking for volunteers – if you want more information please let me know. (I’ve been an on-again-off-again volunteer for 8 years!)

Now you can go to the polls next Tuesday as an informed voter. (That’s the treat!)

War, no war. Taxes, no taxes. Cut this, not that. In the current political environment, it’s difficult not to have an opinion. Today we’re going to look at how to use the Internet as a tool for civic engagement.

Talk to your elected official; find and contact them through the Internet. The University of Minnesota hosts a resource that will help you find your elected officials and their contact information.

Join respectful, political conversations with other Minnesotans through one of the many email lists supported by E-Democracy. List topics center on geography, issue, or are announcement-based.

Keep up on the trends. Democracy has a list of links related to politics, policy, and special interest groups. Consider subscribing to the Minnesota State Legislature’s What’s New email announcement list. And don’t forget your local newspaper online – many encourage email letter to the editors and often publish more online that in the traditional paper.

For more information consider attending Net & Elections and Online Advocacy in Minnesota this Thursday on the University of Minnesota campus. It’s a panel discussion that is free and open to the public – learn more at the E-Democracy web site.