What is civic duty?

Versus what is your duty as a good human being living in a complex community? I’ve had side conversations for months about “I need to do something” or “I want to do something” or “I want to help and I don’t know how.” I don’t have the answer. :)

But I can say that bringing together a group of like-minded people to talk about what we could do as a group was very energizing. A friend pulled together folks from the design community to throw ideas around for how we can have an impact. We circled around the idea of a Get Out The Vote campaign to encourage those voters who want to vote, but don’t think that their vote matters.

There was a woman involved in politics who gave us a rundown on some of the ballot measures to look out for and some of the nuance that those of us who don’t live and breathe politics may miss.

Ballot Measure IP1: Oregon Ban Public Funds for Abortions Initiative amends the Oregon Constitution to prohibit spending public funds directly/indirectly for abortion and reduces abortion access.

Ballot Measure IP22: Oregon Repeal Sanctuary State Law Initiative would repeal the state law forbidding state agencies, including law enforcement, from using state resources or personnel to detect or apprehend persons in violation of federal immigration law.

Both of these are real issues that I knew little to nothing about but care deeply about. So I’m doing my civic duty by educating myself and collaborating with my community.