We intend to make our collective voice heard in communities across the nation through our public actions and by making  every Gamaliel vote count. A preliminary analysis of constituents in the IDC database reveals that many are not registered to vote at their current address. In a number of states not being registered at their current address disqualifies them from voting.

All of this made us wonder how many other members of our organizations are about to be turned away at the polls because they have not registered at a new address. In some states people have only a few days to register before they vote on November 7th.
 

If we are serious about one day being able to say to an elected official, "Because you have voted in disregard for our values, we will be voting for someone who does regard our values!" To deliver on that promise, we need to start now!

Organizers can build a registered, educated, and voting constituency by:

1. Reviewing the rules concerning voter registration deadlines in your state.

2. Reminding every group you speak to of the voter registration deadline.

3. Persuading your spiritual leaders to use their pulpits to urge their church members to register to vote and establish a "register and get out the vote" initiative in their church.

4. Enlist the support of your President and leadership group to challenge each core team to mount a simple “register and get out the vote” initiative that includes:

• Providing a place in the church for registration.

• Setting  up a follow-up telephone campaign within each congregation.

• Reminding people to vote through a telephone campaign, posters, by mail, by e-mail, and from the pulpit.

• Provide transportation to the polls.

We know that many of you are working on your public meetings, but because there is no time to waste, we are asking you to keep this in your organization's mind by reminding people about the need to register to vote.

That is the point. There is NO TIME TO WASTE!

Here is what we are doing to help:

1. A "Your Vote Is Your Voice" web page has been created and is accessible from the  www.gamaliel.org home page. This page has links that inform people of the voter registration rules in their state and provide ways for people to register to vote online!

2. We are sending an action alert to our presidents challenging them to see that voter registration, education, and get out the vote initiatives are established in every core team.

3. We are sending an action alert to our clergy asking them to use their good offices to encourage their members to register and to encourage their core teams to plan a register and get out the vote initiative.

4. We are providing some simple materials to support this effort. They may found in the leader resource center and can be edited for use in your local organization.

5. We are sending an "register to vote action alert" to those who are included in the NewsFromGamaliel listserv. This action alert is interactive and allows people to register from this e-mail.

6. The IDC team is inviting enrolled organizations to participate in this register to vote action alert.

A fundamental right of citizens is the right to vote. Gamaliel leaders, Gamaliel congregations, and Gamaliel staff should be doing all they can to insure that we utilize this powerful tool to defend and protect our people and our communities.
 

The Gamaliel Foundation © 2006