Civics question 69 of 128

What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Source: official USCIS question list for the 2025 version of the civics test. This site is independent and not affiliated with USCIS.

Background

Naming any two of the listed examples answers the question: vote, run for office, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic or community group, give an elected official your opinion, contact elected officials, support or oppose an issue or policy, or write to a newspaper. Notice how few of them involve an election. Most are things a person can do on an ordinary day, and most are open to residents who are not citizens, since contacting an official or joining a community group requires no particular status. Alexis de Tocqueville, writing in the 1830s, thought this habit of forming associations for every purpose was the most striking feature of American life. Voting is the one item restricted to citizens.

This background section is written by US Citizenship Test Practice to explain the civics fact. It is not part of the USCIS question list, and the official answer above is the one to give at the interview.

Where this question sits

It is part of Rights and Responsibilities, inside the American Government section of the test.

Related questions

• 70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
• 71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
• 72. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
• 63. There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
• 64. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
• 65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?