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Civics Minute is a bite-sized series focused on civic engagement. Through an alphabet of key terms, each short-form episode explores the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities that allow ordinary people to shape their communities.

Produced through a collaboration between William & Mary and WHRO Public Media, the series is hosted by Paul Manna, the Hyman Professor of Government and Public Policy at William & Mary and co-author of The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in Global Politics.

Each episode introduces a key concept related to citizenship, government, democracy, or public participation. Clear explanations and relatable examples connect civics to the institutions, decisions, and responsibilities that affect everyday life.

Episodes examine how citizens can influence their towns, cities, counties, states, and nation through voting, volunteering, attending public meetings, contacting elected officials, serving their communities, and learning about public issues.

Informative, approachable, and practical, Civics Minute encourages listeners to become more knowledgeable and active participants in democratic life, in their communities and throughout the nation.

The series is produced by Grace Helmick and Conor Molloy of William & Mary’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships. Learn more and listen at WHRO.org/civics.

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Ballots are a central tool of democratic participation. Paul Manna explores how citizens use them to choose candidates, decide public questions, and make their voices heard through Election Day voting, early voting, absentee ballots, and other accessible voting options.

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