In 2026, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As noted by the Semiquincentenial Commission, formed by Congress to support and encourage national, regional, and local activities for the celebration: 

America’s 250th anniversary is about more than reflecting on our past, it’s about honoring the contributions of individuals who built this country, the innovations that put this country on the map and a man on the moon, and imagining what the next 250 years might look like for our children and the generations to come. 

Much of the American democratic experiment has played out in our nation’s cities, counties, towns, and townships. Most people know that the Declaration of Independence was drafted in Philadelphia — one the earliest local governments in the United States — and more than a decade later, the constitutional convention was held there.

Despite their lack of introduction in the country’s founding documents, local governments are closest to the people that live and work in places large and small in America. Local jurisdictions provide a substantial part of the services, utilities, and infrastructure necessary for modern life. 

These same local governments are bastions of democracy where public meetings are held, constituents are engaged, and elections are managed.  

Over the next year, ICMA will be celebrating alongside a collaboration of local government associations and interested professionals to educate and celebrate the “democracy at the doorstep” facilitated by cities, counties, regional councils and tribal governments. Learn more about this collaboration at localgov250.org.

With this in mind, we are asking for any content that you may have that connects and celebrates local government and its role in democracy. Written content may be used as feature pieces in PM Magazine, enewsletters, or modified into podcasts. 

For submissions and questions, please contact research@icma.org.