It depends on the issue, the source, the audience reached, and other factors. Online petitions do help raise awareness; they can provide a sense of public sentiment and reaction; and they can be used to effect change.  They work best with combined with action.

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Civic Shout brings together petitions from a variety of organizations and issues from education to environmental protection, from human rights to vital programs. When choosing and signing a petition, you have the option to uncheck a box signing yourself up for emails from the petition's organizer.

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Change.org's mission is to empower people to create the change they want to see in the world, and they aim to provide the tools and resources needed to make an impact.

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Common Cause makes it easy to get involved with specific issues, explaining them clearly and providing guidance for calls and letter writing. The link below is for the national organization; see "Get Involved Locally" for the Pennsylvania-specific Common Cause.

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