Polkadot DAO: How to Use Polkassembly for Onchain Governance Participation – In Brief

Cal Evans
Polkadot-DOT

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Polkadot’s decentralized governance system, OpenGov, offers a powerful way for DOT holders to shape the network’s future. For newcomers looking to get involved, Polkassembly serves as the go-to platform to explore proposals, vote, comment, and delegate. This guide provides a beginner-friendly walkthrough to help you start participating in Polkadot’s onchain decision-making.

Getting Started: Wallet Setup and DOT Acquisition

To interact with Polkassembly, you’ll need a Polkadot-compatible wallet such as Talisman, Subwallet, or Nova Wallet. These wallets support essential governance actions like voting and identity verification. Once installed, ensure your wallet contains a small amount of DOT, Polkadot’s native token, which is required for voting and submitting proposals.

You can acquire DOT from centralized exchanges (CEXs) or decentralized exchanges (DEXs). While CEXs are generally more user-friendly, DEXs offer greater privacy and decentralization.

How to Connect Your Wallet to Polkassembly

After setting up your wallet, navigate to Polkassembly.io. On desktop, use your wallet browser extension to connect. On mobile, access Polkassembly via your wallet’s DApp browser.

Step-by-step graphic showing how to connect a wallet to Polkassembly, including login, wallet selection, approval, and setting an onchain identity.
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Steps to connect:

  1. Click the “Connect” button at the top-right.
  2. Choose your wallet from the list.
  3. Approve the connection.
  4. (Optional) Set an onchain identity to verify your participation.

Once connected, you can browse active proposals, vote, leave comments, or delegate your voting power.

Also Read: Polkadot SDK Unlocks Next-Gen Blockchain Development for Developers Worldwide

How to Vote, Comment, and Delegate

Polkassembly actions menu showing options to vote, comment, submit proposals, endorse, delegate, and explore more ways to participate in governance.
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Polkassembly makes governance intuitive:

  • Voting: Select a referendum, click “Vote,” choose to approve or reject, then set your conviction level (which affects vote weight and DOT lock-up time).
  • Commenting: Share insights or ask questions to help refine proposals.
  • Delegation: Prefer passive participation? Assign your voting power to a trusted delegate, choosing specific tracks and conviction strength.

Use the Delegation tab to find and select active delegates whose values align with yours. You can adjust or revoke your delegation at any time.

Key Takeaway: Start Small, Stay Informed

You don’t need to be an expert to get involved. Start by reading one proposal, commenting, or casting a single vote. Tune into community resources like AAG livestreams on Polkadot’s YouTube and X accounts for updates on the latest referenda.

By participating through Polkassembly, you become a co-creator of the Polkadot ecosystem—one vote at a time.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses

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