Civics include the teachings and understanding of the structure and function of local, state and federal governments.
Today, we are conflating civics with the “game” of politics. The lack of understanding of civics has led the U.S. electorate to equate civic duty through the eyes of the gamesmanship of “playing politics.”
Understanding civics and the part each layer of government has on our daily lives allows for the U.S. voters to know and appreciate who is responsible for what area of government where there is concern.
When we know who is responsible for what, we tend to be less frustrated with our government officials and workers because we are able to talk to the team of people who are responsible for what we need.
When we know who is responsible, we tend to appreciate the people and layers in our local, state and federal government. Once we appreciate our system of government, we tend to vote for all positions down the ballot and in every election.
When we know who is responsible, we tend to avoid distractions, conspiracy theories and noise.
When we know who is responsible, we tend to work together to solve the challenges that we all face, rather than pointing fingers and blaming another group for what we do not have.
Because in many cases, we need the same, we just look and vote differently.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, this past election had over 7 million active registered voters in Georgia. Yet less than 1.6 million voters voted for the Public Service Commission.
This means about 22% of registered voters voted in the November 2025 statewide election. This means, less than 25% of registered voters in Georgia made a decision we all must live by.
Regardless, whether one agrees with who were elected, the civic duty was exercised by less than a quarter of registered voters.
To put it plainly, if you paid for a whole pie, would you be satisfied with just a slice of pie? Or, would you want the entire pie? The pie is our governing system. Are we getting the whole government or just pieces of our government?
Several years ago, when the water in my community was not working, many people on the community message board called 911. Other neighbors began to join the chorus of discontent including calling the 911 workers useless and other anti-government sentiment.
None of the neighbors called 311 or emailed the (at the time) water commissioner. I did. The commissioner responded and told me next steps. The water was restored sooner than the commissioner’s estimation.
When I informed the message board, no one responded.
Fast forward a few years and the city of Atlanta’s 2025 general election had less than 35% of registered voters participate — a bit more than one third of voters decided who represents the residents of the city of Atlanta. So, while I am not surprised, I remain surprised by the lack of engagement in the city and state where so many critical issues are challenging so many residents.
On the local level, this example demonstrates what happens when voters do not know how something works then become frustrated when emotions are amplified over functional understanding of structure and function of government. And, this leads us to how the gaming of politics leads our emotions to avoid responsibility for the voters’ actions and decisions.
As we approach the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary, I would like for U.S. citizens, as individuals, as neighbors and civic organizations to consider reaffirming our understanding and actions of our civic duty to this Republic.
What is our role? What is our responsibility as citizens? As the most powerful group that allows our republic to stand, the citizen, how can we all deepen our understanding and commitment to our civic duty?
We can enforce our allegiance to each other and our government by learning and appreciating how the various forms of government work and that we all deserve a government that is responsive to the needs of the people.
At the same time, the different levels of government deserve an electorate who is engaged and understands what that level of government is responsible for to effectively advocate for ourselves, community and country.
After all, a republic is a system of government where the people elect individuals to represent the people by making laws, regulations and ordinances that are to benefit the masses.
As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, it is my hope that we can collectively move closer to civics and away from the politics so that we all benefit from the hopes, dreams and audacity that allowed for the Declaration of Independence to begin the journey of our republic.
Tammy R. Greer has a PhD in political science and teaches public policy. She was recently featured in an ad for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan.
