Below is a guide of some of the national organizations, coalitions and networks that are working to ensure a large voter mobilization and turn out, as well as a fair and protected election process this year. There are many other groups also involved in important projects and you will find links to a wide assortment of those efforts at the web sites included in this guide. As we worked on this guide we realized how dynamic and wide-spread the election organizing is: the groups listed here are the tip of the iceberg. Just as the antiwar movement is growing in every corner of the country, the election efforts are taking off in cities and towns in every state.
Work around the elections provides important opportunities to strengthen the anti-war movement. At the same time, our movement has a role to play in using the elections to weaken the Bush agenda. As millions of our neighbors turn their attention to politics, we can open conversations with them about the need to move to policies of peace and justice. We can build our organizations by asking those we register or who express support for our positions to come to an upcoming meeting or action. We can broaden our local coalitions by developing new or deeper ties with groups that may not be anti-war but are actively defending the right to vote or expanding the involvement of marginalized communities in the electoral arena. And as we all know, a great deal is at stake in this election.
United for Peace and Justice encourages your group to play an active role in election work. Many of you are already involved in local voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization projects, and that’s great. But if your group needs some help getting involved, or tools and resources to strengthen your efforts, the contacts listed below should be very helpful. We encourage you to use UFPJ’s voter education handbill as one way to get out our message.
We also encourage you to use this time now to help plan and carry out get-out-the-vote and poll monitoring efforts on election day. Both of these areas of work could prove to be vital to the election process on November 2nd.
Finally, UFPJ hopes you are using this election season as an opportunity to raise in the most public ways possible our common struggle for peace and justice. As candidates come into your communities, be out there with signs and banners and raise the important issues of the day: now is the time to press for an end to the U.S. war in Iraq!
Be sure to use our web site for resources and organizing materials, as well as updates on activist projects and campaigns. And let us know if there is any way we can help with your local organizing.
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NEW ADDITIONS to....
United for Peace and Justice: Guide to Organizations Providing Resources for Election Work
http://www.electionmatch.org/volunteer
ElectionMatch
get-out-the-vote
612-879-7500
"The countdown is underway. Get involved today in an unprecedented effort by non-profit, non-partisan organizations and community groups to get-out-the-vote on November 2. Find volunteer opportunities across the country or in your local community - here at electionMatch!"
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http://www.electionprotection.org
Election Protection Volunteering
866-204-1941
"In the last presidential election, millions of voters were never counted, Voters in minority communities were disproportionately disenfranchised through illegal disqualification, intimidation and faulty voting machines, The nonpartisan Election Protection
coalitions needs
you to stand up and defend voting rights on November 2. Thousands of volunteers are urgently needed."
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http://www.votercall.org
VoterCall
866-456-VOTE
email: campaign@votercall.org
"VoterCall is a non-partisan campaign to mobilize over one million young, low income and minority voters for the November Elections. The election on November 2nd may be the most important of our lives, but millions of people, including many of those most affected by unjust government policies, will not show up to vote on election day. VoterCall provides a simple way for individuals anywhere to make a huge difference - placing brief phone calls to encourage low-income, minority and young voters to go vote. Register to call voters now!
The set up is simple and easy to use. You can call from anywhere you have a phone and access to the web. You can call as many, or as few people as you like - there's no minimum or maximum commitment required. This site will guide you every step of the way, technical support is also available by free phone and email. Register now to get started!"
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http://projectvote.org/index.php?id=126
Project Vote
800-546-8683
"Through old-fashioned neighbor-to-neighbor organizing, Project Vote seeks to transform the disenfranchised into a citizen’s army ready to do battle at the ballot box for themselves and for their families. Project Vote’s ultimate goal is to direct the focus of the political debate on those issues that effect low-income and minority communities; issues such as quality education, access to health care, the high cost of prescription drugs, affordable housing, clean air and water, and living wage jobs. In elections, voters have a voice and their concerns must be addressed."
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p://www.voteallyourvalues.org/
Vote ALL Your Values
1-866-456-VOTE
campaign@voteallyourvalues.org
"The Progressive Faith Movement's non-partisan campaign to mobilize one million young, low income and minority voters for the November Elections. Some vocal religious groups are claiming that our faith requires us to vote based on a narrow set of issues and values. We need to stand up as progressive people of faith and call Americans to vote ALL their values, including truth at all times, justice for all people, and community among all nations and faiths."
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http://www.OneVoteRadio.org
Get Out the Vote Radio Announcements in 11 Languages
"Two dozen Get Out The Vote ("GOTV") radio public service announcements ("PSAs") have been produced in eleven languages by award winning sound designer Peter B. Lewis in association with the Latinos for America Women's Caucus, SheVotes.org, Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA), National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, and the Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute, thus further broadening the usefulness of the package. All the spots can also be downloaded from www.OneVoteRadio.org for distribution to broadcasters as well as national and regional GOTV groups. PSA's are in the following languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Lao, Hmong and Korean."
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http://www.faithfuldemocracy.org/">http://www.faithfuldemocracy.org/">http://www.faithfuldemocracy.org/
Faithful Democracy
Faithful Democracy is (1) a concept pertaining to
civic participation by religious
people; and (2) an organizing tool created by a group of national religious organizations to achieve the following goals: to increase the number of people casting informed votes that are counted in the 2004 elections; to increase the number of people with a commitment to responsible civic participation that is grounded in their religious values; and, to create or strengthen lasting partnerships between different religious groups, and between the faith community and secular organizations at the local level.
Through our Web site and grassroots efforts, we will offer people of faith a wealth of voter participation resources and numerous opportunities for coordinated action.
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http://lccr.convio.net/site/Ri=VB6DKmNgaw4kkXtYQtUwLw"
Online Compendium of Voter Resources
"The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) are pleased to announce a new online resource for voters. The "One-Stop Shop for Voters" is a compendium of online resources, including many resources developed by LCCR member organizations, that help voters to:
* verify voter registration status;
* understand voting rights;
* find polling place and hours of operation;
* request an absentee ballot;
* research what candidates and issues will be on their ballot;
* find which voting system will be used to record votes; and
* know what to do if facing difficulty in voting.
The website also offers a list of actions that voters can take to help protect voting rights this November 2, and encourages concerned voters to volunteer as a poll monitor with the non-partisan Election Protection Coalition.
Please consider distributing this helpful "One-Stop Shop for Voters" to your members and linking to it from your own webpage."
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http://www.leagueofruralvoters.org
Vote for Rural America!
612-879-7532
"Vote for Rural America! is the League of Rural Voters' public service message campaign aimed at encouraging rural Americans to use the power of their votes to change the direction of rural policy. On our new website, you'll be able to look at our ad slicks, listen to our public service radio announcements, and access other campaign materials. Please join our Vote for Rural America Campaign and forward this message on to others who may be interested."
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http://www.VOTING101.org
VOTING101.org
"Developed and funded by Earth Day Network (EDN), this is a unique resource that simplifies voting for all Americans. The tool was designed to make the voting process easier and less intimidating for voters, especially those making their way to the polls for the first time."
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GUIDE TO ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR ELECTION WORK
www.nationalvoice.org
National Voice
2105 First Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-879-7500
Toll Free: 1-866-428-7228
“National Voice is a coalition of non-profit and community groups working to maximize public participation in our nation's democratic process. A key activity of National Voice is helping local groups incorporate voter education and registration activities into their work. We have developed an electronic library of technical, legal, and organizing information, and an on-line clearinghouse of effective tools and strategies. We work to maximize communication, enhance collaboration and avoid duplication.”
And be sure to check out the new web site put up
by National Voice: www.november2.org
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www.yourvotematters.org
YOUR VOTE MATTERS
On online, national voter registration tool organized by Working Assets. The site includes information on how people can volunteer to help protect the vote.
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www.counteveryvote2004.org
Count Every Vote 2004
P.O. Box 50469
Atlanta, GA 30302
404-221-0025
info@counteveryvote2004.org
“Count Every Vote 2004's mission is to strengthen democratic culture and deepen voter engagement with the electoral process by providing the skills and tools needed to protect the franchise in the southeastern region of the United States. CEV2004 is a non-partisan project organized to protect a right guaranteed to every U.S. citizen by the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. CEV2004 is recruiting and training domestic monitors to observe, document and report on the election process in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Missouri. Our aim is to increase voter participation in the 2004 national election, especially the participation of under-represented and marginalized sectors of the population, by facilitating impartial oversight of the elections in selected states and counties. CEV2004 's programs will contribute to the restoration of public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process - confidence that was badly damaged as a result of the multiple irregularities of the 2000 presidential election.”
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www.racismwatch.org
A Call to Action: Vote for Racial Justice Week October 18-24!
973-338-5398
racismwatch@earthlink.net
“During the week of October 18-24, we call for groups and coalitions around the country to organize local actions and campaigns in support of racial justice. Once again, just like other elections, we’re hearing almost nothing about these issues from the major Presidential candidates and many other candidates seeking office, so we need to make our presence felt! The issues can be raised, and the cause of racial, economic and social justice advanced, in various ways: marches and rallies, workshops, trainings, candidates’ forums, educational leafleting, widespread outreach and get-out-the-anti-racist-vote activity. Local groups and coalitions can determine what they want to do; the national coordinating body for Vote for Racial Justice Week will provide resources, communications mechanisms and support and will work to garner national press for this historic week.
Initiated and Supported by: 2004 Racism Watch, Anti-Racism Commission/DSA, Black Radical Congress, Black Voices for Peace, Committee for a National Health Program, Cobb/LaMarche Campaign, Code Pink, Green Party of the United States, Independent Progressive Politics Network, Institute for Southern Studies, Latino Commission/DSA, League of Pissed Off Voters, National Black Rank and File Exchange, National Coalition Building Institute, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, Project South, Solidarity, Southern Anti-Racism Network, Student Environmental Action Coalition”
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www.lawyerscommittee.org/ep04/epintro.html
Election Protection 2004
Coordinator Deb Geithner
202-662-8325
dgeithner@lawyerscomm.org
“For the November 2004 election, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, People for the American Way Foundation, and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation are leading the most ambitious voter-
protection program in the nation. This nonpartisan coalition of civil rights and civic organizations
is committed to protecting the right of all citizens to cast a ballot on Election Day.
To accomplish this goal, the coalition has developed strategies that identify and respond to problems before Election Day through grassroots efforts, education and outreach to voters and election officials—and, where necessary, litigation. An Election Day hotline (1-866-OUR VOTE) will offer immediate, legal assistance to voters during the early voting period and on Election Day.”
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www.ttww.org/watch/index.shtml
This Time We’re Watching
917-687-0431
call for address
“This Time We’re Watching is a project of the Truth Force Training Center, League of Pissed Off Voters , and The Ruckus Society. Many additional organizations are endorsing the project, using our trainings, and preparing to mobilize their members to prevent a stolen election and to hold the real winner accountable. This broad and loosely affiliated network includes grassroots organizations, poor people’s organizations, people of color and immigrants groups, LGBT organizations, public policy groups, legal organizations, unions, houses of worship, training organizations, and more. None of us thinks voting is the only way to make change. But after the last 4 years, all of us know too well what happens when our votes aren’t counted. This project backs up our ballots with people power. It also seeks to honor our ancestors, especially people of color and women and poor people, who fought and died for our right to vote.”
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www.ncna.org
National Council of Nonprofit Associations
1030 15th St., NW Suite 870
Washington, DC 20005
202-962-0322
A special section of NCNA’s website describes some of the ways nonprofits can get involved in the upcoming election, and provides you with the information and tools you will need, including a Tool Kit on Election Activities.
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VE Y VOTA (GO VOTE)
VOTER INFORMATION HOTLINE 1-888-839-8682
The NALEO Educational Fund today has launched a national toll free bilingual 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (1-888-839-8682) voter information and protection hotline. The only effort of its kind in the nation specifically targeting Latino voters, the hotline is a source of information for every aspect of the electoral process, from voter registration to locating voters polling location. The hotline will also help document and monitor voter protection complaints and work with election officials to respond to them, thereby helping to ensure that every Latino vote cast on November 2 counts.
The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading organization that empowers Latinos to participate fully in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. The NALEO Educational Fund is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization whose constituency includes the more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide.
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www.apiavote.org
APIAVote 2004
Janelle Hu, National Director
1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 601
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-223-9170 TOLL FREE: 888-API-VOTE
info@apiavote.org
“The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) 2004 is a national coalition of non-partisan nonprofit organizations that encourages civic participation and promotes a better understanding of public policy and the electoral process among the Asian and Pacific Islander American community. Our objective is to effectively engage the APIA
community in the political process by coordinating outreach and educational activities and programs.”
www.
onevoteradio.org/apa/
A collaboration of four non-partisan organizations: APIA Vote!, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, sheVotes.org and The Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute have developed radio PSAs in NINE Asian languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, Tagalog and Hindi, to encourage APIAs to register to vote, and turn out to vote.
The PSA’s can be downloaded at www.onevoteradio.org/apa/
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www.aaiusa.org
Yalla Vote
Arab American Institute
1600 K St. NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
phone:202-429-9210 x28
fax: 202-785-2558
vsmith@aaiusa.org
"Whether you are in a state with a significant Arab American community and active Arab American Leadership Council through which you can participate in the political process as part of the Arab American Community, or whether you are in a state where the Arab American community is very small and individual action is more practical than large-scale ethnic organizing, YOU CAN make a difference by your visible and vocal presence in party, campaign, and civic organizations! Extensive resources on constituency polling, get-out-the-vote efforts, swing state initiatives, and the most comprehensive guide available to where the presidential candidates stand on civil liberties, Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and immigration. Includes quotes and campaign contact information."
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www.bigvote.org/unity04/campaign/organizations.htm
Unity 2004 Program
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
“Unity ‘04 Civic Engagement and Voter Empowerment Campaign is a nonpartisan network of 130 organizations that are united to increase the Black vote in the 2004 election cycle and build a groundswell of civic participation in the Black community. Created in 1998, the Unity campaign strategy works with and through African American based organizations and strategic partners to maximize the effectiveness of a coordinated campaign in selected states. Participating organizations are committed to operational unity and collaboration. We have the track record. We understand our issues. We have ongoing relationships with black voters. Together we have the power.”
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www.indyvoter.org
League of Independent Voters/League of Pissed Off Voters
226 West 135th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10030
212-283-8879
“We now have 500+ people in the field implementing a sophisticated and creative new voter organizing strategy (voter guides + voter blocs + 90 day plans) in more than 70 cities & towns –mostly in key swing states. On October 15, we will create and distribute 1,500,000+ copies of 100+ local voter guides, get out the vote in target precincts, prove our numbers, verify our victories up and down the ticket, and revolutionize the way young people do politics.”
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www.youvote.msu.edu
YouVote
484 Administration Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
Phone: 517-355-5060
Email: pakulama@msu.edu
“The YouVote site exists to answer questions that have to deal with such topics as: registration, absentee voting, voter precincts, requirements, upcoming elections, and candidates. YouVote program
encourages everyone to vote, and to realize every vote counts and makes a significant difference in your own world.”
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www.rockthevote.com/draft/
Rock the Vote
1313 L St., NW
Washington, DC 2005
202-962-9710
Rock the Vote is doing a campaign with the Alliance for Security, an affiliate of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, the focus on the issue of a possible new military draft. The web site includes Rock the Vote’s new PSA on the draft issue.
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http://movingideas.c.topica.com/maacyN1aa9hICb5OnGvbaehosu/
Get Out The Vote! America's Voting Crisis
Moving Ideas Network
2000 L Street NW, Suite 717
Washington DC, 20036
Phone: 202-776-0730
Email: movingideas@movingideas.org
Information on voter registration, get-out-the-vote efforts, with an especially good list of links to constituency focused groups and other web sites with more detailed information.
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www.fairvote2020.com
FairVote 2020
Interactive and Adobe maps that can help you marshal scarce resources for door-to-door voter registration and target areas for transporting voters to the polls are available here. This is a free resource with maps for 30 states.
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www.wvwv.org
Women’s Voices. Women’s Vote.
Page Gardner
202-422-9650
This is a project to determine how to increase the share of unmarried women in the electorate and develop a set of messages to motivate their participation. Historically, this group of citizens has been ignored by traditional voter registration and GOTV efforts. Yet, these women are deeply affected by the federal and state policies created by elected officials - it is in their interest to vote. This project is designed to change the culture of unmarried women when it comes to voting - to get them to associate the act of voting to the social frame within which they want to be seen.
We have developed messages to engage these women, models for innovative and integrated campaigns with tested messages, visuals, and voices. We have also determined exactly where they are and how to reach them through sophisticated micro targeting in a number of key states.
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THE FREEDOM FILM FESTIVAL
Jim Browne
718-369-1180 or 646-732-3725(cell)
jpbrowne@earthlink.net
A grassroots film tour organized and co-sponsored by the Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues & Ideas and FilmstoSee BeforeYouVote.org
This festival in a box is being offered FREE OF CHARGE to any groups or individuals in any of the “battleground” states that has the wherewithal to show any one or all of these films. The films focus on the issues of Racism in the Electoral Process, Illegal detentions of Arab & Muslim Americans post 9/11, the War in Iraq and the right to Free Speech. The films are to be shown on college campuses, libraries, galleries, retirement homes, community centers, churches, house parties, anywhere a group of people can be gathered. Emphasis should be placed on creating an environment where people can discuss the issues presented in the films at the conclusion of the screening. We will provide literature pertaining to the films and the electoral process for each host to pass out to audience members.
Each film festival in a box will contain 1 copy of:
(There may be some changes/additions/subtractions to the titles listed below.)
PERSONS OF INTEREST
nDirected by Alison Maclean & Tobias Pearse, 2003, 63 minutes
Persons of Interest tells the stories of Arab & Muslim immigrants who were detained by the U.S. Justice Department post 9/11.
UNPRECEDENTED: THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
nDirected by Joan Sekler and Richard Ray Perez 2002, 57 min
Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election is the riveting story about the battle for the Presidency in Florida and the undermining of democracy in America.
ABOUT BAGHDAD
Directed by InCounter Productions. 90 minutes, 2004
In July 2003, Sinan Antoon, an exiled Iraqi writer and poet, returned to Baghdad to see what has become of his city after wars, sanctions, decades of oppression and violence, and now occupation.
WE WUZ ROBBED
Directed by Spike Lee, 12 minutes, 2002
Spike Lee’s angry and brilliant black and white film about overt and covert racism in Florida on election day, 2000.
VOTING IN AMERICA
Produced by Laura Harrison & Charlotte Lagarde, 2004, 70 min.
Voting in America involves the collaborative efforts of a group of filmmakers, who explore the multitude of reasons why Americans don't vote. This is a series of 8 short films. Can be shown as a group or individually before longer films.
(For information about this package of short films contact: Voting in America and www.votinginamerica.org, or call 415-826-8829, or email them at viusa2003@yahoo.com
SIXTY CAMERAS AGAINST THE WAR
Directed by Julie Talen, 25 minutes, 2004
Sixty Cameras uses simultaneous images to chronicle the powerful antiwar rally on February 15, 2003 in New York City.
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www.unemployedvoters.org
UnemployedVoters.org
UnemployedVoters@yahoo.com
“UnemployedVoters.org is uniting families whose members have lost jobs or are concerned about losing jobs. Eight million Americans are out of work and looking for a job. Countless millions more have become discouraged from looking. Together, with our families, our voices can make a difference and change the direction of policy in this country. Take the Pledge - pledge to vote ONLY for candidates who will EXTEND unemployment benefits.
UnemployedVoters.Org is a project of NationalVoice.Org, a coalition of non-profit and community groups working to maximize public participation in our nation's democratic process.”
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www.beyondvoting.org
Beyond Voting
“Because the crisis of our democracy did not start with Bush and won't end with Kerry, the Beyond Voting campaign is coordinating nationwide direct democracy events around the November elections and beyond.”
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Immediate Job openings for Experienced Electoral Organizers
Non-Partisan Voter Registration and Get out The Vote efforts in the US will bring millions of new and low-propensity voters to the polls on November 2. US Action Education Fund (USAEF), through its non-partisan Civic Engagement program, is looking for Organizers who have field experience in elections to work on location in key precincts managing the final push of voter registration and GOTV efforts. Organizing is focused in "under-served" Communities of Color, GLBT, and single women. Staff positions require commitment to work on location from placement to November 3. Compensation will depend on experience level.
Please send brief cover letter and resume to:
Amy Little, Field Director
US Action Education Fund
amy@hvc.rr.com
Please include a description of electoral organizing experience and 3 references with telephone numbers and emails. |
