ABSTRACT
Individual citizens participate in the politics of their communities when they vote or actively campaign for favored candidates and causes. They are also involved in governing their communities between elections. Some write, phone, or meet with their representatives to talk about issues that concern them. Others attend meetings, give public testimony, or serve on committees and commissions, of which most local governments have many. But perhaps the most common and substantial way that citizens take part in community politics is through interest groups.
