Voqal believes that a socially equitable world is impossible without a community that is engaged in our democracy. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is at the ballot box. Whether it’s electing officials that represent your community and its interests or voting on ballot measures aimed at improving your everyday life, voting matters. This year, millions of people all over the country will cast their vote on Tuesday, November 2. For many, early voting has already begun and it is possible to cast your ballot now. Either way, we believe voting is an important right and responsibility for every American. Below are a few resources to help make sure you are ready to cast your ballot in this year’s election.
Vote411.org
Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on many aspects of the election process including absentee ballot measure information, early voting options, and polling locations.
Vote.org
Vote.org is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) technology platform in America, with the goal of reaching historically underserved voters of color and underrepresented young voters. Through corporate and nonprofit partnerships, a large-scale community of grassroots donors, diverse coalition building, and influencer-driven outreach, Vote.org leverages innovative solutions that meet underserved voters where they engage. It is one of the most trusted and accessible online resources for registering to vote and understanding how to cast your ballot.
Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people. For 30 years, Rock the Vote has revolutionized the way we use pop culture, music, art, and technology to engage young people in politics and build collective power.
Local Secretary of State Offices
In many states, like Colorado (where Voqal’s office is located), one of the best resources for voting-related information comes directly from the Secretary of State website. While this might not be true in every state, in many states these websites can be a resource for voting information, voter registration information, and polling locations.
Voqal Grantees
While many of the resources in this article focus on nonpartisan voting resources, Voqal supports a number of great nonprofits across the country that are working tirelessly to pass progressive policies and help elect candidates in favor of these types of policies. Organizations like Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and Fair Fight Action provide resources and advocacy aimed at strengthening our democracy through the electoral process. You can also check out our grants page to learn about other great organizations engaging in this work.
These just represent some of the great resources you can use to make sure your voice is heard in this year’s election. While the last year has brought some cause for optimism, there are still many challenges we face, whether it’s addressing the ongoing problem of white supremacy in many of our institutions or ensuring investments are being made in the infrastructure and people of our country, that require an actively engaged voting electorate. We hope these resources are helpful and encourage everyone to make their voice heard in the 2021 election.