UUtheVote – We’re Doing It: July 15, 2022
We are already at 15% of our 40,000 Points of Love goal and it’s four months until the general election. If you have made any point of contact to encourage another person to vote, if you have registered voters or handed out voter information, if you have talked with someone about your values and how they influence your voting decisions, please let us know by emailing Shirley Adams through Realm or at admin@ucevanston.org. Each conversation or action is a Point of Love.
Here are some of our successes and words of encouragement:
“Good morning! Are you registered to vote at your current address? Let me check for you!” Thus began my experience with 40 prospective voters during a day in a Milwaukee DMV office. All are now guaranteed ready to vote without a hassle on Election Day and will have their voices heard. I had a great day! I also realized that, by way of my conversations with these voters, several hundred folks in and out all day were reminded of the importance, value, and impact of voting. I’m going back again next week, for a double shift! ~ Carolyn
Everywhere I turn is an invitation to write postcards to get out the vote. My favorite postcard party will be at the local wine cafe in Evanston. Organize something in your backyard like The Village People Proximity Partners is doing. Let’s make writing postcards a social event and invite our friends to help. ~ Shirley
I have worked in every election since 1968. I’ve canvassed door to door and made thousands of phone calls. One of my pet peeves is that the turnout drops off significantly in the off-year election. Accordingly, I’m going to be making trips to Wisconsin to register voters and making phone calls into Wisconsin to turn out voters for the November election. I’m so pleased that UU the Vote is on the case! ~ Lee
We have many opportunities to assist our Wisconsin neighbors to register to vote and to support the effort to get out the vote. There are in person opportunities at the Milwaukee Department of Motor Vehicles and other opportunities in Racine. There are also opportunities for you to help from home, on your own schedule through mailing/texting/calling programs. There is training available for all of this. For more information, contact me or anyone on the UUtheVote UCE Leadership Team. ~ Greg
Pick up Postcards at UCE on Sundays through August 7
UCE is partnering with Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a non-partisan organization which targets potential voters in states experiencing aggressive voter suppression. ROV sends specific information to voters on how to validate their registration, obtain mail-in ballots, and get transportation to distant polling locations. The time for us to act is NOW! Pick up postcards in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday or contact Carolyn Laughlin through Realm or at admin@ucevanston.org.
Distribute Voter Information in Racine, WI, Now – August 6
UCE is linking with Racine Interfaith Coalition (RIC) and Turn Up The Vote to distribute voter information between now and August 6. Training is provided 1 hour before each shift starts. No prior experience needed! Snacks and drinks will be provided. Shifts available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: 9am-12pm or 1pm-3pm. Register below! Melissa R. Michelson states in Scholars Strategy Network that personal contact urging individuals to vote has “strong spillover effects within households, boosting participation by others as much as 60 percent.”
Thank you for living out your values in the world!
– UUtheVote UCE Leadership Team, Shirley Adams, Carolyn Laughlin, Greg Grabowski, Lee Bannor, and Rev. Susan Frances