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John,
All election season we have been sharing tools and resources to help you as a voter get #VoteReady. Now, we turn to the local organizations in the Alliance for Youth Action network that fight every day to protect our democracy and expand voting access in their states. Here is what it looks like to get local communities #VoteReady.
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| First, we register. |
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On National Voter Registration Day, Alliance network organizations across the country registered hundreds of young people to vote on college campuses, at events, and online. MOVE Texas hosted a telethon where they called voters and featured virtual performances from artists. With masks on and plenty of hand sanitizer, New Era Colorado socially distance registered over 300 young people to vote on college campuses across the state. Next Up held a four-day concert series with local artists online. Learn more about how the Alliance network showed up on National Voter Registration Day by heading to our latest blog post.
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| THEN, WE EDUCATE. |
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Voting by mail or in-person looks different in each state. Luckily, Alliance network orgs are helping people navigate the voting process. Check out this voting-by-mail tutorial from our partner in Kansas, Loud Light. Leaders Igniting Transformation is hosting a Facebook live session to answer student questions about voting on campus.
Alliance organizations are not just educating voters on how to vote, they are also breaking down and demystifying what’s on the ballot. For example, Chicago Votes just released several voter guides about the states attorney, local judges, ballot measures, and more. Other organizations like Forward Montana, the Washington Bus, and Ohio Student Association are hosting virtual candidate forums so young voters can learn more about where the candidates stand on the issues. |
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| NEXT, WE MOBILIZE. |
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| Alliance organizations are working non-stop to mobilize young voters and get them to the polls (or the mailbox). Minnesota Youth Collective is hosting Zoom to the Polls parties throughout October where young voters can come together to talk about what issues they care about and fill out their absentee ballots. Organizations are also hosting phone banking and textbanking virtual parties where volunteers help young voters make their voting plans. |
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| FINALLY, WE DEFEND DEMOCRACY. |
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| Every organization in the Alliance network is fighting to ensure that every voter can safely, securely, and confidently cast their ballot this fall. MOVE Texas is suing Bexar County over too few polling places and illegally restricting the appointment of volunteer deputy registrars. In Montana, a state without online voter registration, protecting democracy looks like creating an online voter registration portal where Forward Montana and partners mail voters a voter registration form with a prepaid envelope to mail back to their elections office. Organizations like Chicago Votes and Engage Miami are recruiting young people to work the polls so polling locations are adequately staffed during early voting and on Election Day. |
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Now, it’s your turn. Learn how you can help your community get #VoteReady by checking out our blog post—5 Ways to Protect Democracy. Our democracy works best when more people have access to it. Step up in your community to ensure all voices are heard and every vote is counted.
To democracy done right,
Daniela Mrabti
Communications Manager
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