QUARTERLY DISPATCH | December 2024 |
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John,
After a very busy 2024, VoteRiders is preparing for an anticipated wave of new and stricter voter ID laws in states across the country in 2025. Take a look at all the ways VoteRiders has helped voters in the past few months — and how we're preparing to meet increased demand for our services in the year ahead. – Team VoteRiders |
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VoteRiders is Making a Difference |
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✍ "If a young person wants to spread information, they can — and that's really important for voters," says UCF volunteer.
Ernest Cook, a University of Central Florida student, joined VoteRiders’ Florida letter-writing party to make an impact ahead of the 2024 general election. At the event, he learned key details about Florida’s complex voter ID laws and wrote personalized letters to voters. He believes organizations like VoteRiders play a vital role in empowering students to engage in democracy and support their communities. Learn more about Ernest's volunteer experience ➡️
🗳 "I'm passionate about so many issues. I want to help make a small difference by voting," says Arizona voter.
After losing her birth certificate during a move to Arizona, Nicole Karpinski faced major obstacles in getting the ID she needed to vote in the 2024 general election. With time running out, she discovered VoteRiders, which covered the costs for notary services, a new copy of her birth certificate, and an Arizona state ID. Thanks to VoteRiders’ support, Nicole successfully registered to vote and secured access to essential state benefits. Read Nicole's story ➡️
🪪 Who has an ID in Texas & Georgia?
This fall, VoteRiders released new research on the impact of voter ID laws in two battleground states: Texas and Georgia. Both states implemented even stricter voter ID laws since 2020, making the 2024 general election the first where the full effects of these changes were felt. This research was crucial for understanding the barriers voters in these states face in casting their ballots, whether in person or by mail and what they know about complex voter ID laws where they live. Here's what we learned ➡️
💪 Q&A with Texas Rising's Ofelia Alonso: "Young people in Texas have immense collective power."
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Ofelia Alonso, program director at Texas Rising, spoke with VoteRiders about her organization’s commitment to empowering young Latino communities through civic engagement. Texas Rising works closely with partners like VoteRiders to ensure young Latinos register and have the information and ID support they need to overcome barriers to voting. Ofelia discussed the unique challenges Latino voters face in Texas, the importance of representation in civic spaces, and how the collaboration between Texas Rising and VoteRiders equips the next generation of Latino leaders with the tools and confidence to shape their communities. Learn more about our partnership ➡️
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Our field programs across eight states were in full swing this quarter, focusing on GOTV efforts, providing last-minute ID assistance, and supporting election protection work with coalition partners – including ballot cure programs before and after Election Day. In the final weeks ahead of November 5, our on-the-ground teams held 6,000+ one-on-one conversations with voters, distributed 20,000+ Voter ID Information Cards, and supported nearly 1,100 individuals in October alone to access the documents they needed to cast a ballot – drawing referrals from a network of nearly 200 organizations across the country. ELECTION DAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY |
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Following the election, we issued the following statement: “Alongside thousands of partners, volunteers, and supporters, we gave it our all to get people voter ID information and free help so that they could vote. Millions of voters were able to make their voices heard thanks to the letters, calls, texts, community conversations, and more that came from all of us. At VoteRiders, we’ve never been prouder to walk alongside the voters who faced rising voting barriers head-on and made their voices heard despite them. This work is ongoing. It’s a down payment on the democracy we want to see and the one we all deserve. We’re not there yet, but I know that we’ll get there together as we march on.” - Lauren Kunis, VoteRiders’ CEO & Executive Director.
TEXAS |
Your voice and vote matter! That’s the message our Texas team shared at an energizing community resource fair with the Harris County Department of Education. They led a workshop on Texas’ voter ID law, how to help naturalized citizens update their IDs for free, and what steps everyone can take to help get out the vote. |
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Voter ID Laws Across America |
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MICHIGAN: Michigan Republicans to Push Constitutional Amendment Requiring ID to Vote /Bridge Michigan
Recently, Michigan has taken several steps to expand voting access. However, with the change of control of the state House, some lawmakers want to roll it back through a constitutional amendment adding proof-of-citizenship requirements. VoteRiders’ research shows that many Americans lack the necessary documents to prove citizenship and as a result, these laws disproportionately harm marginalized communities less likely to have an acceptable voter ID. The Michigan bill is part of a broader wave of legislation we expect to see introduced in state houses nationwide in 2025 pushing for proof of citizenship requirements.
NEVADA: Nevadans Deserve Inclusive Voting System /Las Vegas Sun
Voters in Nevada approved a constitutional amendment to adopt a strict photo ID law for both in-person and mail voting. Ahead of the election, VoteRiders CEO Lauren Kunis co-authored an op-ed with Jacob Solis of Battle Born Progress. To become law, the amendment must be passed by voters a second time, and VoteRiders will continue educating voters on the harms of the potential ID law when it’s on the ballot again in 2026.
OHIO: Ohio Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Trans Ohioans' Ability to Change Birth Certificates / The Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court recently declined to rule on whether Ohioans should be allowed to update the gender marker on their birth certificates. This decision leaves Ohio with a checkerboard of counties with differing policies on whether transgender Ohioans can make changes to their birth certificates, which in turn affects their ability to update the gender marker on their state-issued ID. |
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| For years, Skyler had to use an ID that didn’t reflect his identity. Although he had legally changed his name and gender marker years ago, bureaucratic barriers kept him from updating his state ID. When Skyler went to Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Office, he was turned away. Four times. |
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VoteRiders is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit organization registered in the US under EIN 45-5081831.
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