Access to Political Power

People have the right to voice their concerns/opinions about their community and have them addressed. When access to political power and leadership opportunities are limited, it can lead to the underrepresentation of different groups within the community leadership. Without representation, people may feel powerless over their concerns or the future of the community they would like to see. People also have the right to vote for representatives that align with their values and goals. Voter suppression and intimidation is used to discourage and prevent individuals from having this right in order to persuade the outcome of an election.

University of Kentucky's "Community Power: Bringing the Right People to the Table"

Talks about the importance of a balanced community power structure where everyone is able to contribute

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's "Relationships between Perceptions of Community Leadership and Other Perceptions of Community"

Looks at survey results on people's feelings toward local government

The Political Imagination's "1.3 Political Power Definitions, Expressions, and Sources"

Defines politics and its uses in today's society

European Consortium for Political Research "Social status, political priorities and unequal representation"

A study that looks at if politicians are equally representing all the different people who make up their district

ACLU's "Block the Vote: How Politicians are Trying to Block Voters from the Ballot Box"

Discusses obstacles that keep certain people from voting