Civic guide
Responsible citizenship & independent judgment
Citizenship gives us a voice in America's future. Using that voice responsibly means examining evidence, evaluating leaders honestly, respecting equal rights, and holding our own community to the standards we expect from others. Shared religion, ethnicity, ancestry, or party affiliation should never excuse corruption, incompetence, coercion, or violence.
Citizenship Comes With Responsibility. Independent Judgment Matters.
Apply the same standard—even when your own side fails it.
These standards apply equally to naturalized and native-born citizens, to every political party, and to every religion. Naturalized citizens are full citizens with equal civic standing, and no faith community is inherently disloyal.
Civic warning signs
Open any card to see what the behavior looks like, why it harms civic life, a fictional example, and a better response. The same standard applies to every party, faith, and community.
Identity over integrity
- What it looks like
- Supporting a candidate only because they share your religion, ethnicity, caste, ancestry, or party — while ignoring misconduct or a lack of qualifications.
- Why it harms civic life
- Leaders who are chosen for who they are, not what they do, can escape accountability. Everyone pays for corruption or incompetence, including the community that protected it.
- Fictional example
- In the fictional town of Maple Falls, residents re-elect council member "Dana" because she grew up in their community, even after records show she steered city contracts to her brother's company.
- A better response
- Ask: "Would I vote for someone outside my community with this same record?"
Religious prejudice
- What it looks like
- Rejecting a candidate simply because of their religion, or because they have no religion.
- Why it harms civic life
- The Constitution says no religious test may be required for public office. Judging people by faith alone shuts qualified neighbors out of public service.
- Fictional example
- A fictional flyer says, "Don't trust candidate "Sam Ortiz" — look at where he worships." It says nothing about his record or proposals.
- A better response
- It's fair to examine a candidate's policies and conduct, including how their beliefs would shape decisions in office. Ask: "What has this person actually said or done?" — not "What faith are they?"
Government favoritism toward one faith
- What it looks like
- Seeking special government privileges for one religion, or trying to deny equal rights to people of other faiths or none.
- Why it harms civic life
- The First Amendment protects religious freedom for everyone. A government that favors one faith today can disfavor yours tomorrow.
- Fictional example
- In the fictional city of Riverton, a group asks the council to fund only its own congregation's community center and deny permits to every other faith's.
- A better response
- Ask: "Would I accept this rule if it favored a different religion instead of mine?"
Imported communal conflicts
- What it looks like
- Carrying ethnic, caste, sectarian, or ancestral rivalries into American civic life and treating neighbors as enemies because of those divisions.
- Why it harms civic life
- Old divisions can turn school boards, city councils, and neighborhoods into battlegrounds — and keep people from working together on shared local problems.
- Fictional example
- Two fictional families in Cedar Grove stop their children from joining the same youth soccer team because their grandparents came from rival regions overseas.
- A better response
- Ask: "What do we share as neighbors here — schools, safety, jobs — and can we work on that together?"
Double standards
- What it looks like
- Excusing corruption, discrimination, threats, or violence by your own group while condemning the same actions by opponents.
- Why it harms civic life
- When rules apply only to the other side, trust in fair government and equal justice breaks down.
- Fictional example
- A fictional commentator calls one candidate's hidden donations "a scandal" and another's identical donations "no big deal" — because the second candidate is from his party.
- A better response
- Swap the names. If your judgment changes, the standard isn't consistent.
Misinformation and misleading media
- What it looks like
- Sharing rumors, edited videos, made-up quotations, or inflammatory claims without checking where they came from, their context, and the evidence.
- Why it harms civic life
- False claims spread faster than corrections. They can harm real people's reputations, scare voters, and make it harder to agree on basic facts.
- Fictional example
- A fictional group chat shares a 10-second clip of a mayor appearing to insult veterans. The full video shows she was quoting — and criticizing — someone else.
- A better response
- Use the "Before you share" checklist on this page before forwarding anything.
Religious or community coercion
- What it looks like
- Using spiritual threats, social exclusion, job pressure, or community retaliation to tell people how to vote.
- Why it harms civic life
- Your vote is secret and yours alone. Pressure and threats take away the free choice that democracy depends on, and voter intimidation can be illegal.
- Fictional example
- In a fictional business association, an owner tells employees they'll lose shifts unless they show photos of their ballots marked for his preferred candidate.
- A better response
- Leaders may share opinions and encourage people to vote. They should never threaten, punish, or demand proof of how someone voted. Report intimidation to your election office or the Justice Department.
Dehumanizing opponents
- What it looks like
- Describing entire religious, ethnic, or political groups as evil by nature, or as unworthy of equal rights.
- Why it harms civic life
- Language that strips people of their humanity has often come before discrimination and violence.
- Fictional example
- A fictional online post calls everyone in another party "vermin who should be driven out of the country."
- A better response
- Criticize ideas, policies, and specific actions — not whole groups of people. Ask: "Am I describing what someone did, or who they are?"
Foreign influence and hidden conflicts
- What it looks like
- Concealed direction from a foreign government, unlawful interference in elections, or undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- Why it harms civic life
- Voters can't judge a candidate fairly when someone is secretly directing them or paying for their positions.
- Fictional example
- A fictional state legislator in "Lakeshore" pushes a bill that benefits a foreign company — without disclosing that the company pays his consulting firm.
- A better response
- Look for evidence of concealment or law-breaking. Cultural ties, family overseas, dual citizenship, ancestry, and criticism of U.S. foreign policy are legitimate and are not proof of disloyalty. Check campaign finance records at the FEC for federal candidates.
Selective outrage
- What it looks like
- Ignoring abuses by allies while expressing outrage at similar conduct by opponents.
- Why it harms civic life
- Outrage that depends on who did something — not what was done — teaches people that wrongdoing is fine when it's "ours."
- Fictional example
- A fictional advocacy group condemns one city's police for a wrongful arrest but stays silent about an identical case in a city run by its allies.
- A better response
- Ask: "Have I spoken up when my own side did this?"
Rejecting equal rights
- What it looks like
- Demanding freedom and fair treatment for your own community while denying them to others.
- Why it harms civic life
- Rights that protect only some people aren't secure for anyone. Equal protection under the law covers everyone.
- Fictional example
- A fictional neighborhood group in "Pine Hills" fights for its own right to hold a public festival, then tries to block another community's permit for the same park.
- A better response
- Ask: "Am I asking for a right I'd also defend for people I disagree with?"
Unsupported election claims
- What it looks like
- Treating accusations as proven facts, or rejecting a result only because your preferred candidate lost.
- Why it harms civic life
- Peaceful acceptance of lawful results is how power changes hands without violence.
- Fictional example
- After a fictional county race, a post claims "thousands of fake ballots" with no evidence. The county's audit and recount confirm the result.
- A better response
- Lawful recounts, evidence-based court challenges, and peaceful advocacy are legitimate. Intimidating election workers and spreading false claims are not. Ask your state or local election office how results are checked.
Patronage and personal gain
- What it looks like
- Giving unquestioning political loyalty in exchange for personal favors or special treatment.
- Why it harms civic life
- Public offices exist to serve everyone. Trading votes for favors puts private interests ahead of the public.
- Fictional example
- A fictional community leader promises to deliver his group's votes to a candidate in exchange for a city job for his nephew.
- A better response
- Asking an official's office for help with a government problem is normal and appropriate. Ask: "Is this help available to every resident, or only to loyal supporters?"
Personality worship
- What it looks like
- Treating political, religious, or community leaders as beyond criticism or accountability.
- Why it harms civic life
- No one is above the law. Leaders who can't be questioned are more likely to abuse power.
- Fictional example
- Members of a fictional civic club are told that questioning their founder's spending is "betrayal."
- A better response
- Respect for a leader can include asking hard questions. Ask: "What would I accept as a fair criticism of this person?"
Political intimidation and violence
- What it looks like
- Threatening, harassing, coercing, or attacking people because of political disagreements.
- Why it harms civic life
- Violence and threats replace votes and arguments with fear. They are never an acceptable part of civic life.
- Fictional example
- A fictional school board member receives anonymous messages threatening her family after a vote on a budget.
- A better response
- Never take part, even online. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. Report threats to local police or the FBI.
Outrage-driven information habits
- What it looks like
- Getting news only from sources that confirm what you already believe and that treat every disagreement as a threat to survival.
- Why it harms civic life
- A steady diet of outrage makes compromise feel like betrayal and neighbors feel like enemies.
- Fictional example
- A fictional resident follows only accounts that describe the other party as "destroying everything," and stops talking with a longtime friend who votes differently.
- A better response
- Read primary documents and a range of credible sources. Ask: "What's the strongest fair version of the other side's argument?"
Strong Criticism Requires Clear Evidence.
- Criticism of American policies is not automatically hatred of America.
- Peaceful protest, religious practice, political disagreement, and lawful advocacy are protected parts of civic life.
- Supporting a candidate whose beliefs match your values is legitimate. Overlooking abuse, or denying others equal rights, deserves scrutiny.
- Religious identity alone does not show extremism, dishonesty, or disloyalty.
- Naturalized citizens are full citizens with equal civic standing.
- No political party, religion, or community is exempt from accountability.
National Archives: The Bill of Rights (full text)(opens archives.gov in a new tab)Library of Congress: Constitution Annotated(opens constitution.congress.gov in a new tab)
Recognizing cult-like control by what people do
Judge any group — political, religious, or community — by observable conduct, not by beliefs or practices that seem unfamiliar. Unfamiliar rituals are not evidence of wrongdoing. Warning signs include:
- A leader who can never be questioned
- Coercion, threats, or pressure to obey
- Financial exploitation, such as demands for money or unpaid labor
- Enforced isolation from family, friends, or outside information
- Punishment for disagreeing
- Threats against people who leave
- Demands to break the law
If someone is in danger or a crime may be happening, contact local police or call 911.
Candidate evaluation worksheet
For each quality, choose what the evidence shows so far. Add notes and the web addresses of sources you checked.
This worksheet is for your own thinking. It never adds up a score, ranks candidates, or suggests who to vote for. Your notes stay in this browser tab and disappear when you close it — unless you choose to save them on this device. Nothing you type is sent to us, to analytics, or to anyone else.
For example, the office, or any nickname only you will understand.
Reflection questions
- Would I accept this conduct from a candidate outside my community?
- What evidence would change my mind?
- Am I evaluating a policy—or reacting to an identity?
- Have I checked the candidate's record beyond campaign claims?
Ways to take part
Required by law
Serve on a jury when you are summoned and not excused.
U.S. Courts: Jury service(opens uscourts.gov in a new tab)Obey federal, state, and local laws.
USCIS: Should I consider U.S. citizenship? (rights and responsibilities)(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)Pay federal, state, and local taxes you owe.
USCIS: Should I consider U.S. citizenship? (rights and responsibilities)(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)
Your choice — encouraged
Register to vote, and check your registration before each election.
Vote.gov(opens vote.gov in a new tab)Vote. It is strongly encouraged, but no law requires you to vote.
USA.gov: Voting and elections(opens usa.gov in a new tab)Learn what federal, state, and local offices actually do.
USA.gov: State governments(opens usa.gov in a new tab)Read candidate platforms and look at public records, such as voting records and campaign finance reports.
Federal Election Commission (fec.gov): campaign finance(opens fec.gov in a new tab)Attend public meetings, such as city council or school board meetings.
USA.gov: Local governments(opens usa.gov in a new tab)Contact your elected representatives respectfully.
USA.gov: Find your elected officials(opens usa.gov in a new tab)Volunteer in your community.
AmeriCorps (americorps.gov)(opens americorps.gov in a new tab)Respect peaceful disagreement — with neighbors, coworkers, and family.
Where to report a concern
Someone is in immediate danger
Call 911.
A specific threat or suspected federal crime
Contact local police, and submit a tip to the FBI.
FBI: Submit a tip (tips.fbi.gov)(opens tips.fbi.gov in a new tab)A problem at a polling place or with your registration
Contact your state or local election office.
USA.gov: State and local election offices(opens usa.gov in a new tab)Voter intimidation or another voting rights violation
Report it to the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
Justice Department: Report a civil rights violation(opens civilrights.justice.gov in a new tab)A hate crime
Report it to local police, then to the FBI.
Justice Department: Report a hate crime(opens justice.gov in a new tab)
Official resources
- Vote.gov(opens vote.gov in a new tab)
- USA.gov: Voting and elections(opens usa.gov in a new tab)
- USA.gov: Find your elected officials(opens usa.gov in a new tab)
- USA.gov: State governments(opens usa.gov in a new tab)
- Library of Congress: Constitution Annotated(opens constitution.congress.gov in a new tab)
- Federal Election Commission (fec.gov): campaign finance(opens fec.gov in a new tab)
- USCIS: Resources for new U.S. citizens(opens uscis.gov in a new tab)
- Justice Department: Voting Section(opens justice.gov in a new tab)
Links last opened: October 31, 2026.
Responsible citizenship means holding everyone — including ourselves and our own community — to the same fair standard, and treating every neighbor as an equal.