Organize a Voter Registration Drive

As Americans, no right is more precious than the constitutional right to select our leaders. Yet millions of eligible American citizens are not even registered to vote. I know most of you YBPs are registered, so how about making the efforts to ensure that the rest of your community is registered as well. Elections are right around the corner, so most likely your state registration deadline has passed, but information on how to organize a voter registration drive is timeless and it’s never to early to get ready for next year.

There was a time in our nation’s history when barriers were erected to limit citizen access to the voting booth. Today, after the hard work and sacrifice of so many Americans, all citizens are guaranteed the right to have their voices heard. African-Americans gained the right to vote in 1866. Women secured the right to vote in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment, and 18- year-olds were extended the right to vote in 1971. The federal Voting Rights Act further safeguards the rights of all Americans to participate in our electoral system. Only July 27, 2006 the president signed a bill overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats in Congress to renew key expiring protections including language assistance, federal oversight of elections, and Election Day monitors. All Americans will be guaranteed voter protection for another 25 years. You have the right to vote, so use it.

The easiest way to organize a voters registration drive is to contact your state board of elections or county clerk and have them mail you a packet of registration forms and instructions. This should all be completely free and they should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Remember that your voter-registration drive must be nonpartisan– you cannot endorse a party or candidate while registering voters. Then advertise your drive in the community or at your school. The drive will be a success and worthwhile even if only one person registers. Finish the job by making sure all registration forms are returned to the election office or mailed, as required.

When I was the BLSA Political Action Chair I held a Rock the Vote voter registration drive. This process is a little more costly than free, but they send you a package with buttons, stickers, pens, and instructions for every state. They also have a way to register others online, which is pretty cool.

Another way to get involved and insure that everyone’s vote is protected, is to join up with Election Protection. In 2004 tens of thousands of volunteers (including yours truly) were trained and deployed at polling locations around the nation to assist voters and mediate problems that arose at the polls. The are still recruiting volunteers for this year’s mid-term elections and you can volunteer here.

Okay, so you registered. Now go vote! Those who don’t vote have no right to complain!