In the lead-up to Election Day 2016, the League of Women Voters is working in more than 700 communities, in every state, to help eligible Americans register and get ready to vote.
From massive on-the-ground mobilization efforts, to serving tens of millions of voters online, the League expects to reach one out of every five people in the U.S. this year to encourage voting.
“Today is Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote,” said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “Even as we honor this milestone, we know that too many Americans are left out of our democracy in major election years because they miss voter registration deadlines, or don’t have access to good information about how to cast a vote. I’m here to say: not on our watch, not this year.”
The League, which never supports or opposes candidates for political office, at any level, is deploying a range of activities to reach and support voters before Election Day, including:
- More than 330 hundred local League volunteer teams are set to host voter registration drives in their communities on National Voter Registration Day, September 27. Voters in most states must update their voter registration if they have moved since the last election; visit www.VOTE411.org to get started.
- Hundreds of League volunteers are meeting with elections officials to encourage Election Day preparedness and support poll worker training and recruitment, especially in states with recent changes to election procedures and/or polling places. League volunteers are asking officials to fairly and equitably share election resources across their jurisdictions, so that voters in all communities can count on a smooth voting experience when they head to the polls.
- More than 500 state and local candidate debates and forums are planned by League volunteers and their partners. Debates provide a critical opportunity for voters to learn where the candidates stand on key issues.
- Closer to Election Day, the League will provide voters in every single community in America with localized information about who will be on their ballot at least at the federal, statewide and state legislative levels. In thousands more communities, additional candidate information beyond that will be provided. All the latest will be available atwww.VOTE411.org and across multiple partner platforms in October.
“No matter your vision for our future, no matter the issues that matter most to you, your vote is needed in November,” concluded Carson. “Now is the time to get registered and ask your friends and family to do the same. Then, plan to join your neighbors by voting on Election Day.”
“Our future is determined by those who show up at the polls. We’re asking you to stand up and be counted!”
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