Voting Organizations Part 1

This article will contain a list of voting organizations that you all can check out for more in-depth information about voting.

FairVote

FairVote is a 501 organization whose main mission is to seek better elections for all. It was founded in 1992 in Cincinnati, Ohio to advance ranked choice voting and American forms of proportional representation. FairVote works alongside national, state, and local partners to advance reforms that result in fairer elections. It is now the top authority on ranked choice voting in the U.S. and has a history of successfully winning support for the Fair Representation Act. Other than its impressive advocacy accomplishments, FairVote is a leading research institution that provides facts and analysis. For more than 20-years, FairVote has published Monopoly Politics reports which introduces the partisan index and focuses on structural reform. There are three core strategies: strengthen relationships in Congress and earn support to help expand ranked choice voting, build a diverse national coalition of organizations, and accelerate ranked choice voting’s momentum through media coverage, progress in legislatures, and support for state partners. The current president and CEO of the organization is Rob Richie. Rob Richie has been the leader of FairVote since co-founding the organization in 1992.

Website: https://www.fairvote.org

Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people. What is interesting about Rock the Vote is that it uses pop culture, music, art, and technology to help increase youth political engagement. Founded in 1990, Rock the Vote was initially created in response to the censorship of hip-hop and rap artists. Over the years it has changed into an organization focused on empowering each new generation. Rock the Vote accepts volunteers from across the country who can help register and engage young voters, share information, defend voting rights, and take action on important issues. There are three programs that people can also get involved in. They are Brands for Democracy, Democracy Class, and Tech for Civic Engagement.

Website: https://www.rockthevote.org

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences public policy through advocacy and education. It was founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt. Its mission is “Empowering voters. Defending democracy.” To become a league member all you have to do is join one of the 700+ state or local Leagues. Currently there are 500,000+ members and supporters. The League can be found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and even Hong Kong. Some submissions of the League are voter suppression, redistricting, and money in politics. The League of Women Voters is tied to the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) which specifically deals with registering voters, and providing election information. Vote 411 was launched by the LWVEF in 2006 and provides nonpartisan information with both general and state-specific information on the election process.

Website: https://www.lwv.org (League of Women Voters) and https://www.vote411.org/about (Vote411)

American Civil Liberties Union

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920. For nearly 100 years it has been the U.S.’s guardian of liberty, working to defend and safeguard Constitutional rights for every individual. The ACLU is not just limited to voting issues. It dabbles in a wide range of topics that include LGBTQ rights, mass incarceration, and abortion. There are more than 4 million members and supporters of the ACLU. Something to note about the ACLU is that it defends certain controversial groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Nation of Islam. The ACLU has expressed that its defense of such groups is not because it agrees with these groups’ beliefs, but because it believes that everyone has a right to freedom of expression and assembly. It warns that once the government has the power to violate one person’s rights, it can use that power against everyone.

Website: https://www.aclu.org

References:

https://www.aclu.org

https://www.fairvote.org

https://www.lwv.org

https://www.rockthevote.org

https://www.vote411.org/about