Choosing a Campaign or Organization to Volunteer With

Impact

Imagine if 60-70 people (that’s us!) spent 3 weeks volunteering for a voter registration organization or a campaign.

If each person's effort resulted in registering even 3 new voters per day--or inspired 3 voters to actually vote, that would be about 3,000 voters over the course of 3 weeks of volunteering.

Those are the kinds of numbers that elections are won and lost by in some districts.

Let’s get out there and get out the vote!

Expectations

Each participant will choose a campaign or elections-related organization to volunteer with.
Each participant will volunteer 3-5 hrs/week with a campaign or elections-related organization for the final three weeks of the program.
3-5 hours per week = 30-45 minutes everyday or 1.5-2.5 hours each weekend day.

Notes:

Volunteer for as much as you’re reasonably able to; take advantage of this program as an accountability structure and motivator.
I totally understand that life happens; some of us have full time jobs, some of us want to chillax in our free time, some of us have parents or children to care for.
The intention of this program is to get people excited about engaging in the 2020 election and to support them in doing so. The intention is not to stress people out.
If you find yourself avoiding volunteering, or saying you don’t have time, do a gut/heart check: Is your internal voice saying that because you truly don’t have capacity to do it right now? Or is to because you’re nervous and/or it’s out of your comfort zone?
If it’s out of your comfort zone, remember that change and growth don’t come unless we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones.
If it’s an issue of capacity and time, make a commitment to yourself--write it down--about how many hours/week you will volunteer now and/or in the future. If you would like an accountability buddy, Jenny would be happy to check in with you. Let her know. :)

STEP 1: Personal Reflection (write responses in your journal)

What issues do I care most about? And which will be most impacted by the 2020 elections?
Do I want to get involved in my home state or in another state?
Would I prefer to be involved in a campaign to get a particular candidate elected?
Would I prefer to volunteer for an organization working to register voters and increase voter turnout?
What skills would like I to develop? And/or what skills do I have to offer as a volunteer?

STEP 2: Research Campaigns and Organizations; Find One You’d Like to Support

You may choose to volunteer with one campaign or organization, or two. (For example, one local and one in a swing state.)

To get you started, below are a few examples to explore and consider. There are also many many others out there, so please don’t hesitate to find one on your own.

You might also look at the Swing State resources (from Day 3 prep) and look up the candidates in key races listed there. You could also layer on endorsements by major organizations engaged in issues you care about, for example League of Conservation Voters or Sunrise Movement, if you wanted to find a climate change champion in a swing state or district.

STEP 3: Share Your Plan.

Once you’ve decided on a campaign or organization to volunteer with, reached out to them, and heard back about volunteer opportunities to engage in, please complete this form.

Organizations that Can Connect You With a Campaign(s) in a Swing State or Swing District

Note: This list is for illustrative purposes; it is not comprehensive, nor does it convey an endorsement.

Vote Save America - “Adopt a State” program enables you to support various campaigns in key swing states.
Sunrise Movement - Organizing for a Green New Deal. Election related action involves phone banking for Green New Deal and Progressive Champions.
Common Power (formerly, Common Purpose) - “Common Power works to foster, support and amplify a democracy that is just and inclusive. We provide creative on-ramps to civic fieldwork, expand the people engaging in and benefiting from it, and sustain this effort by investing in the next generation of leaders.”

Campaigns & Organizations in Washington State

Note: This list is for illustrative purposes; it is not comprehensive, nor does it convey an endorsement.

Rep. Kim Schrier - Candidate for US Congress, WA-8th congressional district
Sarah Reyneveld - Candidate for State Rep., WA-36th legislative district
T’Wina Noble - Candidate for State Senate, WA-28th legislative district
Tarra Simmons - Candidate for State Rep., WA-23rd legislative district
David Hackney - Candidate for State Rep., WA-11th legislative district
Seattle Ballot Measure - Prop. 1 - The Seattle transit ballot measure--a renewal measure for the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (which increased transit service and made 70% of Seattle households have a 10 minute walk to 10 minute service). If you'd like to volunteer, please email Keiko Budech (keiko@transportationchoices.org).
WA Conservation Voters - “WCV works to elect environmental champions at all levels of government and to advocate for strong environmental policies.”
Washington BUS - “The Washington Bus makes politics engaging, effective and fun. The Bus puts young Washingtonians in the driver’s seat and gives them the tools to be organizers, legislators and leaders. We catalyze the energy and enthusiasm of young people to create sustainable, positive change in Washington State through civic education, voter engagement, and leadership development.”

Voter Registration/Voter Turnout Organizations

Note: This list is for illustrative purposes; it is not comprehensive, nor does it convey an endorsement.

Common Power (formerly, Common Purpose) - “Common Power works to foster, support and amplify a democracy that is just and inclusive. We provide creative on-ramps to civic fieldwork, expand the people engaging in and benefiting from it, and sustain this effort by investing in the next generation of leaders.”
Fair Fight (Georgia) - “We promote fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourage voter participation in elections, and educate voters about elections and their voting rights.”
Rock the Vote - Aims to increase voter participation among young people.
When We All Vote - "On a mission to...increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap."
Native Vote - Working to increase voter registration and voter turnout among Native Americans. "Native Vote ensures that every qualified voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot."
Hip Hop Caucus/Respect My Vote - "We empower first time voters by walking them through the process, dispelling myths, and making sure they are ready with all they need to cast their ballot."
NAACP Black Voices Change Lives - "Our goal is to increase Black community participation."

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