Voter Registration; What You AND Your Organization Can Do

Today is National Voter Registration Day, which is a time for us to be sure we are registered to vote, to make sure our information is current, and to engage in efforts to help others do the same so that we all can have a voice in our government. This is work you can do this fall and throughout the 2020 election cycle.

 

First, make sure you are registered and that your information is up to date. It is easy to look yourself up and make sure that you are registered under the correct address. If not, you can find your County Board of Elections and contact them to register to vote or update your information.

 

Now that you are all set, it is time to change the world by helping others get registered and making sure that every citizen can make their voice heard. As an individual you can volunteer to help with voter registration drives and get out the vote (GOTV) efforts closer to election day, this year and in 2020.

 

Nonprofit arts organizations can have a powerful impact on voter registration and GOTV. Invite an organization that does this work to have a voter registration table at your events and exhibitions. Not only will you be able to help people register to vote or update their information, but it will show that your organization is engaged and playing an active role in your community. You can’t be partisan or support candidates, but you can engage in elections and make a real difference.

 

Nonprofit VOTE is a national resource for 501c3 organizations, offering a North Carolina Resource Page and training such as a Crash Course in Election Engagement. Other resources include VOTE411, Ballot Ready, and Fair Elections Center.

 

Here in the creative state, you can contact one of the 16 local League of Women Voters of North Carolina chapters, or other organizations doing this work such as You Can Vote, which has been rapidly growing in the Triangle region with plans to expand to 20 counties by 2020.  Democracy NC is another great resource and has regional organizers for the Northeast, Central Piedmont, and Western Piedmont regions of North Carolina. As always, the Arts NC Election Portal will stay up-to-date with the information you need.

 

Over the coming months we will continue to talk about Voter Registration, Voter Education and Readiness, Get Out the Vote, and Candidate Engagement. The arts community should be able to say, “we vote ready, we vote smart, we vote arts.”