There was plenty of anti-slavery political involvement leading up to the civil war, the New Deal was started by the democratically elected FDR, we’ve recently seen the disparities in LGBT rights depending on who holds majorities in government. All these come from voting and deliberate policymaking whether it be through ingenuity or bigotry. Fight tooth and nail for your right to vote, but ALWAYS use it, and make sure to educate yourself about who is on your ballot.