How do I find public meeting schedules and agendas in Arizona?

Public meeting schedules, agendas, and comment procedures are posted online by Arizona's Secretary of State, local government websites, and Arizona Clean Elections for easy access and tracking.

What should I know about speaking at public meetings in Arizona?

Public meeting procedures vary by location. Typically, you can speak for 2-3 minutes, and you may need to sign up in advance. Always check the guidelines before attending.

What is lobbying and how can I use it to influence public policy?

Lobbying is a legal activity where citizens or professionals try to influence public policy through direct interaction with legislators or officials. This can be done through public comments, meetings, petitions, or organized efforts.

How can I stay engaged beyond public meetings?

Follow up with officials after meetings by sending emails, requesting one-on-one meetings, and staying informed about future meetings. Arizona Clean Elections offers tools to help you stay involved year-round.

What is grassroots lobbying and how can I start a movement?

Grassroots lobbying involves everyday citizens working together to influence policy. You can start by partnering with advocacy organizations, encouraging others to attend meetings, and using social media to build momentum.

Can I participate in public meetings digitally?

Yes, many public meetings are live-streamed, and written comments can be submitted digitally. You can also sign up for email alerts from government websites to stay informed.

How to Effectively Engage in Arizona Public Meetings | Citizens Clean Elections Commission

Make Your Voice Heard

Turning Public Meetings into Real Influence

Public meetings aren’t just about listening in—they’re where policies are shaped, budgets are decided, and local priorities are set. From city councils to school boards, these gatherings give Arizonans a direct opportunity to influence decisions that affect their everyday lives.

But meaningful civic engagement goes beyond simply showing up. To truly advocate for your community, you need to be informed, intentional, and equipped with the right strategies—especially when it comes to understanding how public input, advocacy, and even lobbying can shape outcomes across the Grand Canyon state.

Know When and Where to Engage

Finding Public Meeting Schedules & Agendas

Wondering when and where to go? Most government bodies post meeting schedules, agendas, and public comment procedures online. Here’s how to find them:

Public Meeting Notices: Arizona maintains a database of public meeting announcements. You can check it out here.
City & County Websites: Most local governments list meeting dates and topics on their websites. Some also offer email alerts so you never miss an important discussion.
Arizona Clean Elections: While our focus is on elections, we provide year-round civic engagement tools, including links to your government officials, voting guides, proposition information, and official resources to help you navigate the process and build your engagement.

Why This Matters Year-Round

Public meetings aren’t just for election seasons. Decisions about education funding, taxes, housing, and infrastructure take place throughout the year. Staying engaged means your community’s voice is always at the table—not just on the ballot. Citizens who become more involved and who show up more consistently can often have a bigger impact.

Understand the Rules & Speak Effectively

Every government agency or department has its own rules or guidelines for public participation and meeting procedures may vary. Some require pre-registration for comments; others offer a specified time open for public comment. You will typically want to find out the following:

How long can you speak? (Typically 2–3 minutes)
Do you need to sign up in advance?
Are written comments accepted?

Understanding the rules & procedures helps you use your time more efficiently and a become better proponent for your cause!

How to Make an Impact When Speaking

Speaking at a public meeting is a valuable opportunity to share your perspective and influence decisions, but with limited time to make your case, how you deliver your message matters as much as what you say. Whether you're addressing a city council, school board, or state agency, being transparent, focused, and strategic can significantly increase the impact of your words. Here's how to make your voice heard effectively.

Your words matter. Here’s how to maximize your influence:

Keep it short and focused so your message is easy to understand
Stick to your main points to ensure clarity and impact
Offer solutions, not just concerns—officials appreciate constructive input
Stay fact-based—use data, real-world examples, and lived experience

Stay Engaged Beyond the Meeting

Attending a meeting is just the beginning—creating real change requires follow-through. After you speak up, take the next step by following up with officials. Send an email to reinforce your key points, request a one-on-one meeting with a council member or legislator to dive deeper into the issue, and keep an eye on future agendas so you can stay involved as the conversation continues.

Use Clean Elections to Stay Informed

Arizona Clean Elections isn’t just about voting—it’s your year-round partner in civic engagement. We offer nonpartisan candidate and voter guides, easy-to-follow explainers that break down how state and local government work, and tools to help you understand elections and track your ballot. Whether preparing for the next election or speaking up at a public meeting, we have the resources to keep you informed and empowered.

Join or Launch a Grassroots Effort

Grassroots involvement—when everyday people band together to influence public policy—is one of the most effective tools for change. In fact, many policy wins in Arizona come from community-led efforts, not just insiders.

Here’s how to turn your concern into a movement:

Partner with local advocacy organizations
Encourage friends and neighbors to attend meetings
Use digital tools (like social media and petitions) to build visibility and momentum

Need inspiration?

During Arizona’s 2024 legislative session, the ACLU of Arizona monitored over 380 bills and spearheaded advocacy efforts that resulted in 19 gubernatorial vetoes. This demonstrates the impact of organized public participation. Note: the ACLU is a registered lobbying entity with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office and if the definition of lobbying is met, registrants need to file with the Secretary.

Arizona Defines Lobbying: as (i) attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by directly communicating with any legislator, or (ii) attempting to influence any rulemaking proceedings by directly communicating with any state officer or employee.

Take Advantage of Digital Participation

Public meetings are now live-streamed and allow online comments, making participation easier than ever.

If you can’t attend in person:

Watch online on YouTube, Facebook, or the agency’s website
Submit written comments digitally
Sign up for email alerts from city or state websites

Make Your Voice Count—All Year Long

Participating in public meetings is a simple yet powerful way to influence Arizona’s future. But to make a lasting impact, civic engagement must be ongoing—not just during election season.

At the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, we’re committed to helping Arizonans become informed, strategic, and effective participants in democracy. Our resources, guides, and legislative tools are available to help you stay involved and make your voice heard—whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned organizer.

Make a plan to attend a meeting, speak out, and follow through. Build a stronger Arizona—one conversation at a time.

April - 2025