Dear John, 

Russell was looking forward to casting his first ballot in 45 years.

After a felony conviction, he had served his time and completed his mandatory supervision. Finally, in 2023, his voting rights were restored, but he didn’t have the ID he needed to cast a ballot in his home state of Texas.

When Russell called VoteRiders’ ID Helpline, he was connected to Shelly, a Voter ID Assistance Volunteer.

Russell

Shelly worked with Russell for weeks to order his birth certificate and Social Security card, and finally secured his Texas state ID.

Voters like Russell turn to VoteRiders to get an ID — and in turn, we turn to our donors to help cover all the financial costs of tracking down documents, paying fees, and getting transportation. Will you chip in now to help voters like Russell? Your gift will be DOUBLED by a group of generous donors.

“Shelly was all accommodating,” Russell said of his experience with VoteRiders. “She was telling me, ‘whatever you need, you let me know.’”

With his new ID, Russell successfully landed a job and can now access healthcare and other essential everyday services. On May 3, 2025, for the first time in 45 years, he made his voice heard at the ballot box by voting in Texas municipal elections.

IDs change lives. They also have the power to help more people participate in our democracy. 

Your matched gift will go twice as far for voters like Russell, who would otherwise have a difficult time tracking down documents, making appointments, and paying the fees required to get their ID.

Sincerely,

Lauren Kunis

CEO and Executive Director 

VoteRiders

P.S. VoteRiders always covers the fees associated with getting an ID, because we don’t think cost should ever be a barrier to voting. Chip in to help voters like Russell secure an ID to vote!

Follow @VoteRiders

VoteRiders is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit organization registered in the US under EIN 45-5081831.

VoteRiders
2001 L ST NW, Suite 500-2093
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Was this message forwarded to you? Sign up to receive VoteRiders updates. Make a donation to VoteRiders directly or through CFC #56746. Consider a planned gift to VoteRiders and join the John Lewis Legacy Circle or explore other ways to give. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.