Civic Engagement
Voting & Civic Education
Earth Guardians youth talk about the importance of voting
"The climate crisis is demanding transformative change at every level of society. We are seeing that the infrastructure that exists does not protect our people.
We Revolutionized the vote in 2020
We did it. This election made history as voters of all ages, genders, races, and classes took their power to the polls in historic, record-shattering numbers. We organized, protested, and voted against police violence, against inhumanity towards hundreds of thousands of deaths from COVID-19, and for health care, living wages, education – and our future on this earth.
The fight for justice does not stop at the ballot box. We have our first Black/Asian woman Vice President alongside many new Black women, trans and non-binary leaders who were voted into office across the country. Young people and BIPOC communities turned out in record breaking numbers to choose leaders who will heed our demands for justice, with the climate crisis being at the top of the list. President Biden has repeatedly referred to climate change as an “existential threat” and the “number one issue facing humanity.” Now, our job will be to hold these leaders accountable to the people’s demands. We will not and can not stop here. Meeting our goal means we need to empower our grassroots activists, giving them the skills they need to educate their neighbors, family, and friends about the climate crisis and turn the tide in the battle for the future of our planet. We striked, we voted, and now we organize once again to accomplish the goals we know are imperative to achieve justice, equality and a livable planet for future generations.
Register to Vote Now
Why should I vote?
It may not always seem like it, but voting is truly a privilege that not all of us have. Today, there are many individuals living in the US who are unable to vote and it is our duty continue our efforts towards voter restoration and true democracy. Members of our society who are unable to vote include currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrants as well as communities who have historically faced voter suppression tactics (BIPOC communities). Beyond the US, many countries have lost their right to vote due to authoritarian regimes who have taken democracy away. This is a great lesson to hear at this time in the history of the United States. As we approach the upcoming election we must be mindful of what could come next if we don’t band together as a nation.
Here in the US, we have fought for the right to vote before. Through the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s to today we have been working to make historic changes and to be an example of liberty and justice for all. Still, to a large degree there is much more work we must do if we want to say those words with pride. We must work to restore and ensure that the right to vote is accessible and available to all Americans. So, let’s get to work. The first step is to register. The next step, VOTE! And, while you’re at it, help your elders vote too.
Beyond voting we encourage everyone to stay engaged in the ongoing efforts of voter restoration, which seeks to restore voting rights to all members of society. By doing so, we can start creating a better future here in the US by adding so many of the forgotten voices within the BIPOC communities due to the disproportionate impact of voter suppression these communities face today.
Civic Engagement Resource Library: Learn more about how to get civically engaged
The civic engagement library is a resource to help our community members navigate the voter registration process, ballot initiatives, polling places, how to talk to your representatives, how to be proactive against voter suppression, how to lobby, and more.
“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
FAQs
How do I research the candidates and issues on my ballot?
You can visit the following site and follow the steps listed here in our online resource library, to learn about the candidates and issues that will appear on your ballot. This website includes voting records, platforms and biographies for all candidates running in upcoming elections.
https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
How do I talk to the press?
Be concise in your messaging and don’t over talk. Remember, your goal is to appeal to the masses, so your message should be overt and understandable. More information can be found in our Civic Engagement Library.
How do I find out where to go to vote?
This will be different for each state as each state’s website has a slightly different process. The following link will take you to a list of state websites. For a step by step example of how you find your polling place, visit our Civic Engagement Library.
https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/
How can I lobby?
Treat your lobby meetings like a conversation. You are there to both share your insights and to listen to their responses. Prepare well beforehand and make sure you are fully comfortable discussing the material at length. More information can be found in our Civic Engagement Library.
What should I say when I contact my representatives to comment on an issue?
You should include the following details:
Your name and affiliation
If you are calling a local politician, state your address (optional)
Who you are a constituent of/ the rep you are calling
The topic you are calling about --Why you care about the issue
Why they should listen to your concerns
A call to action for your representative
A sample script for calling your representatives can be found in our Civic Engagement Library here:
How to be proactive against voter suppression
Voter suppressors will try to get you on a technicality, so always be a step ahead of them. Our Civic Engagement Library includes a list of ways to be proactive against voter suppression and ensure your vote is heard.