Q&A for How to Change a Law Through the Democratic Process

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I change a law in a particular state?
    Community Answer
    Make an appeal to the government (if you want a law to be made or amended) or to the state court (to challenge an existing law).
  • Question
    Which branch of government handles the law on medical release?
    Community Answer
    The legislative branch is responsible for debating and passing all laws. The executive branch is responsible for enforcement. The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the law on a case by case basis. They each have a role to play in any specific legal issue.
  • Question
    Can I petition for changing laws about sanctions or economic embargo if I am a foreigner and they affect my country?
    Community Answer
    You most certainly can. Just don't expect to succeed in actually changing the laws.
  • Question
    Do soldiers have to give up half of their retirement after a divorce?
    Community Answer
    If a woman has been married to a military man for at least 10 years, she is entitled to a precentage of his retirement after their divorce.
  • Question
    Can I pay money to change a federal law?
    Community Answer
    You can't do this directly. If you have a lot of money, you can hire a lobbying firm to work with Congress to address the law in question, but there is no guarantee that Congress will approve the change or that the president will sign it into law.
  • Question
    How do I go about trying to change a law to stop people from getting SSI who can work?
    Community Answer
    Consider becoming a politician or trying to contact a politician who has the same opinion as yours. Or contact the news or media outlets to get your case some exposure. You need to have good rhetoric, and comprehensible reasons to support your political standpoint. It is a very hard thing to change.
  • Question
    Should I move to another country if I hate some laws?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    You can try, but in reality, it's more difficult than it might seem to move to a different country unless you have citizenship there. If you hate some laws, then you would be better off petitioning to change or repeal them instead of moving. It would probably be easier that way. Also, you'll probably dislike some laws no matter where you live.
  • Question
    How does one go about amending a law that removes your second amendment rights for life?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    There is no law that removes your second amendment rights for life unless you have committed a serious crime. If you would like to change the laws that remove your second amendment rights for life, then you can petition your representatives, or, if you're trying to change a state law, then you can try to see if your state allows citizen initiatives to change laws, and then go through that process.
  • Question
    Currently, no system of checks and balances exists to prevent cities from writing unconstitutional laws. So how can anything be changed?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    You can challenge unconstitutional city laws through the US District Court for your area. Contact a lawyer to find out how to sue the city in the District Court. Also, if your city has a city charter (which is like the cities constitution), then you can check to see if it allows citizens to amend it through an initiative, which allows you to call a vote to amend the charter if you get enough signatures on a petition. If it does, then try to use that process to remove the city council's authority to pass certain laws.
  • Question
    In addition to the steps above, are there any special steps that I could take as a minor who is in high school and wants to affect a proposed policy change that would affect LGBTQ students?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    Try to attend the school board meetings and bring a bunch of likeminded people with you. During the meetings, make requests to speak, and when you do, talk about what changes you want to see. Everyone else there can also speak. This will put pressure on the school board to make a change, and it will also show them how popular the change is.
  • Question
    How do I change a city law?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    Go to local city consul meetings and make requests to speak. When you speak, talk about what changes you want to see. Not many people go to city consul meetings, so it's likely that you'll get quite a bit of attention.
  • Question
    How do I find out if there's anyone trying to change a law similar to the one I'm trying to change?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    Do a search online to see if there are any groups already pursuing this cause. Also, you can check your local political party to see if they are trying to do anything.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article