Civic Life Today // Vote // Points of Light by pointsoflight

SEPTEMBER 2021

Vote

CIVIC LIFE TODAY | ISSUE #9

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Table of Contents Civic Life Today

What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

Taking A Deeper Dive

Yes, Your Vote Really Does Matter It’s All in the Preparation

Knowledge is Power

An Interview with Emily Kate Mosley

10,11

By The People, For The People

12,13

Voting is Just One Step

Did You Know?

What Does That Mean?

Learning Library

Youth and Family Corner

Continue the Conversation

Personal Action Plan

6,7

20,21

Appendix

Civic Circle

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Civic Life Today At Points of Light, we believe that the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual — one who makes a positive difference. The value of individual actions, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life. Together, our collective actions are a force that transforms the world. We live in extraordinary times. The 21st century has already seen sweeping change led by the power of people. The advancement of technology accelerates our experiences. Yet, the challenges facing our world are great and complex: • Inequality rooted in systemic racism is front and center, and the demand for social justice is strong. • A global pandemic exposed a variety of system weaknesses triggering public health and economic crises. • Climate change remains the highest concern of Generation Z. • Global conflict, instability, poverty, and lack of opportunity has created the largest migration crisis in human history. • New and old systems are being built, dismantled and rebuilt in real time, often creating instability.

We are witnessing a significant shift in our civic culture, a revolution against apathy, marked by events and movements that have altered the way we connect with and engage in our communities and our world. But what does this connection and engagement look like? When we think about civic life today, we know that people want to live an integrated life that reflects their values. People who “do good” or want to “create change” don’t necessarily assign themselves traditional labels like “volunteer” anymore. Today’s engaged person may express their desire to do good through the purchases they make, what they share on social media, where and how they choose to work and what nonprofit organization to support as a donor, or of course, a volunteer. Doing good comes in many forms. We believe we are at the dawn of a new era that we are calling the Civic Century, an age when people become the driving force that transforms our world. When future generations look back on this time, they will see an era of sustained, meaningful civic engagement, fueled by a global community of people ready and willing to do good.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

What Is It and Why Does It Matter? Beginning at an early age, voting has a purpose in our lives. From electing a student class president to deciding as a family what to have for dinner, the democratic process shows up in both formal and informal ways. And these acts of voting know no boundaries. They can be seen across continents, countries, cultures, religions, neighborhoods and more. Voting is an exercise of democracy. It includes all aspects of the democratic process from participating in national and local elections to supporting efforts that increase engagement in electoral processes. Regulations on the environment, policies that determine what our children learn in school and the people at the helm of developing and implementing policies that affect our everyday lives are all influenced by voting. The decisions of our local mayors, prime ministers and presidents impact the causes that we care about the most. But while these political leaders may be at the forefront of voicing their ideas for a better society, we, as citizens, have just as influential an impact on our democracy because we are the ones electing them into office. With all of the attention that often surrounds national elections, some voters may be less inclined to participate in local elections. But local

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” – Abraham Lincoln

elections are just as important as the national ones.1 And it’s our local officials who live in our communities, providing them with a firsthand view of the unique challenges and opportunities that state or national officials may not see. Yet trust in government is deteriorating around with world with many people growing politically apathetic which leads to low voter turnout, especially among younger generations.2 Some people may choose not to vote because they don’t like the candidates. But former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama said it best: “It’s not about voting for the perfect candidate. There is no such person.”3 Voting is our civic duty. Every candidate will have their perceived flaws because as individual voters, we want different things. But that shouldn’t deter us from voting. We have a responsibility to research the candidates, look into their stances on issues important to us and then vote for those who we believe best align with our values. Because when we vote, we are voting for our ideals and values. Throughout history and even today, a countless number of people have fought tirelessly for the right to vote and some died defending these rights. So when the next election rolls around, remember those who came before you, sacrificed much for this right and paved the way for you to go to the polls. Voting is one of the most powerful things we can do.

The Privilege of Voting Not all countries allow citizens to vote because not all countries are democratic. Even when these countries do host elections, they are often riddled with corruption. Voters can be intimated and threatened, and in some cases even killed. For example, in 2015, Myanmar held its first democratic election in 25 years. However, the military has since opposed these democratically elected leaders and in 2021 staged a coup to take over the leadership of the country.4 And in countries that have open elections, barriers based on race or ethnicity, religion and gender to prevent certain groups from voting have persisted. In Saudi Arabia, women only received the right to vote in 2015.5 But even in well-established democracies such as the U.S., issues with voter suppression persist. Strict voter ID laws, limited voting times and purges from voter registration rolls have kept a significant number of eligible voters from the polls across all demographics. However, these issues have disproportionately impacted BIPOC individuals, those with fewer financial resources, and young and elderly voters.6 People with disabilities also face voting barriers due to inaccessible polling places and often inadequate voting accommodations.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT 24

VOTE

Taking a Deeper Dive With the exception of the 22 nations where voting is mandatory7, the decision to vote or not vote is a choice. But as citizens, we are responsible for ensuring that our democracy is upheld because voting is our civic duty. It is also the best way to honor those who fought and continue to fight for universal suffrage, to ensure that the efforts of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ida B. Wells., Nelson Mandela and Susan B. Anthony were not in vain. In this issue of Civic Life Today, we’ll delve into why your vote really does matter, how to best prepare yourself to vote and other ways to support the democratic process.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Yes, Your Vote Really Does Matter When your vote is one out of thousands or even millions, it can be difficult to see how it could possibly impact an election one way or another. And when registration processes get confusing and poll lines are long, voting just might not seem worth it. But time and time again, elections have shown us that every vote matters. Some elections really do come down to just a handful of votes. In the U.S., more than a dozen races have been decided by a single vote or ended in a tie over the last 20 years. As recently as 2016, a Vermont state Senate Democratic primary was determined by just one vote.8 India also saw an extremely close election in 2004, when a candidate was elected as a member of the Karnataka legislative assembly by just one vote.9 While these close elections may not happen often, you can’t predict them and that one person who decided to stay home may determine an election’s outcome by not voting. For some, however, it’s not the voting process itself or their perception of their vote’s impact that keeps them from the polls. It’s the belief that no matter who wins, nothing will change for them and that no candidates have their interests at heart. They don’t feel represented. It’s for exactly this reason that it’s crucial for more people to vote. Whether you’re a single parent, a disabled veteran, an immigrant or a member of the LGBTQIA or BIPOC communities, your interests, concerns and priorities are best understood by those with similar experiences and backgrounds. And for there to be greater representation among elected officials, there must first be greater representation in those that vote. 6

In the U.S., older voters, people with higher incomes and those who are white and have received more formal education are traditionally more likely to vote.10 And because politicians are trying to get elected and remain in office once there, they have an incentive to cater to the preferences of those who have been proven to vote. This can lead to the legislation that is passed being more biased in favor of those who vote, and not effectively reflecting the values of BIPOC individuals, those who are younger, or those with lower incomes or less formal education.11 That’s why for a democracy to be more equitable, it’s crucial that people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, income levels and beliefs vote. If you’re still on the fence about the power of your vote, think about why then there have been so many efforts throughout history to make it more difficult to do so in some communities and countries. For example, in 2015, dozens of women were divorced or abandoned by their husbands for voting in the Tanzanian elections, leading many more women to fear going to the polls in future elections.12 And in the U.S. following the civil war, many southern states tried to suppress the vote of Black Americans by requiring voters to pay poll taxes, leading to fewer than 9,000 of the 147,000 eligible Black voters in 1890 to be registered to vote in Mississippi.13 If there are groups of people working to make it more difficult to vote, it’s because there is power in our votes. So while there may be a number of barriers and reasons why you’re hesitant to vote, remember that your vote matters and its implications for greater representation, and go vote! Then encourage others who may be questioning whether they will vote to do the same.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

It’s All in the Preparation So you made it to the polling place, but you forgot your ID, there’s an error on your voter registration or maybe you don’t know anything about the candidates or propositions on the ballot. There are a number of things that can go wrong and impede the voting process. And with your vote having the power to help decide the next mayor of your town or an initiative that would lower vehicle exhaust emissions, you don’t want to miss out because of a simple mistake. Local laws vary around the world so that’s why one of the most important things we can do before we head to the polls is take the time to prepare. Whether you’re a first-time voter or you vote in every election, here are a few tips for getting ready to vote: • Make sure you’re registered14. One of the biggest issues voters face is thinking that they’re registered to vote when they’re not. Check online or wherever voter rolls are managed in your community to make sure you’re registered and review for any errors in your name, your address and other information. In many countries, if you’ve moved, changed your name or haven’t voted in recent years, you may need to re-register. • Choose your voting method. Will you be voting in person on election day, voting early, if available, or voting by mail? Learn about the different voting methods that you are eligible for and

choose the one that is right for you. If voting by mail, make sure you follow all the instructions carefully and return the ballot before the deadline. • Locate your polling place. Based on where you live, you may have an assigned precinct or polling place where you are required to vote. Use available tools and resources provided by your local government to find your polling site. Check what hours the polls are open and take into account the potential for long lines. Decide on how you’re getting to the polls, whether that be by public transportation or driving yourself, and plan ahead to make sure you arrive before polls close. • Prepare the proper documentation and IDs. Many countries require providing a government ID or other forms of documentation when voting. In the U.S., each state has unique voter ID laws, so look up which forms of ID will be accepted and make sure you have them ready. • Know what’s on the ballot. Before you vote, learn about the candidates who will be on the ballot and their stances on issues. Also look into ballot measures and propositions that you may be voting on, being mindful that reports have shown that the wording of ballot initiatives can often be purposely misleading and confusing.15 Do your research and keep an open mind; the ways you voted in the past may change based on greater understanding of an issue or candidate.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Knowledge Is Power: Know Your Voting Rights On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was developed by leaders from around the world at the United Nations General Assembly in Paris. The Declaration outlined the fundamental human rights that should be held, protected and championed by all. Among these rights, Article 21 states16: 1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. 2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in their country. 3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Voting is a human right. And while some countries around the world still limit voting eligibility, other countries and communities that recognize voting as a universal human right may still struggle with equal opportunity and access. For example, from the 1890s to 1960s, in addition to some states enforcing poll taxes, many U.S. states also administered literacy tests. These tests asked questions such as “Name two of the purposes of the U.S. Constitution.” For Black Americans who were descendants of slaves and not allowed to read or write due to anti-literacy laws, these tests made it nearly impossible to vote.17 This also disenfranchised some poor whites from voting, but many were able to be exempt from the tests because of a “Grandfather Clause” that allowed

them to vote if their grandfathers voted in 1867.18 Poll taxes and literacy tests were eventually banned in the U.S. But accessibility issues still impact some groups today. That’s why it’s important to know your voting rights. They may vary by country or individual state, so do your homework and tap into local resources. Here are some general tips to keep in mind if you face or see any issues at the polls. Here are some general tips to keep in mind if you face or see any issues at the polls: • If polls are closing: Even if the polls are about to close and you’re still standing in line, don’t leave. You may still have the opportunity to vote. Regardless of whether you are standing in line inside or outside the polling place, some countries allow voters in line to vote after the time polls are scheduled to close. • If you’re turned away: If your voter registration is challenged, explore other voting options with poll workers in case the issue is later resolved. For example, in the U.S., you are still allowed to vote through a provisional ballot. If a poll worker says your name isn’t on the list of registered voters, ask them to check any surrounding systems. • If you have a disability: Whether you’re blind or use a wheelchair, know that the polling place may be required to accommodate your abilities. Once you’re inside, ask for assistive technology if it hasn’t been offered to you. If they don’t have that equipment ready for you, insist on your right to use it.19 • If you don’t speak the national or primary language: In countries with a lot of ethnic diversity, bilingual assistance may be available. In the U.S., those who have difficulty reading or writing in English can bring a family member or friend to assist them at the polls.20

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Voting Matters at Any Age:

An Interview With

Emily Kate Mosley Emily Mosley is a Texas native and a senior at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her involvement and passion for politics began at age 15 when she started lobbying for issues that affect youth such as climate change, gun control and women’s rights. In 2018 she received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal for youth activism and civic service. Since then, she has been a youth staffer on congressional, senate and presidential campaigns, emphasizing the importance of youth participation and voting accessibility. Following graduation, she hopes to work for a human rights organization or as a diplomat abroad.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Q. Why do you think voting is important? A. Voting is incredibly important because it is one of the aspects of our lives where we actively stand up for what we believe in. Who and what we vote for addresses what we believe in from economics to culture to foreign policy. Q. You weren’t old enough to vote when you started volunteering to support voter registration. What motivated you to encourage people to vote?? A. I have a love-hate relationship with this question. I think today’s youth are often looked down upon until they hit the magic age of 18 or 21, and then are expected to be adults with well-formed opinions. I started getting involved in politics because I wanted to educate myself on the world today and felt passionate about hot topics in the news. While I couldn’t vote quite yet, I was able to talk to people who came from all different backgrounds and political parties about why they voted, and what they were passionate about, and it made me even more excited to be able to do it myself. When I did turn 18, I knew which political campaigns I wanted to donate to, which lobbying groups I found important and what candidates I felt represented my stances best. Politics affects everyone. It affects adult issues like taxes and healthcare, but it also affects youth issues like public education, climate change and minimum wage. I think that more youth should be encouraging people to vote so that they can enact change on issues that affect them even if they can’t vote for the change themselves. Q. What challenges have you faced by supporting voter registration? A. I have always felt called to speak out about issues affecting voter suppression. I have found that while voter registration is important, getting people to plan how to actually vote after they register is more important. In my home state of Texas over the last year, we have seen the removal of hundreds of voting locations (primarily in low-income areas where people do not have access to reliable transportation), the shortening of voting location hours making it difficult for working individuals to vote and even restrictive bills making the voting process exponentially more partisan and harder for people who already face challenges voting. When I register people to vote, I always make sure they know where their nearest location is, how they’re going to get there, and how to request an absentee ballot. Voter registration doesn’t matter if you don’t make your voice heard on election day.

granted. I once spoke with an unhoused man who felt defeated by the democratic system. Even after paying his taxes for years and being a veteran, he was not able to register because he had no home address and no access to the documents required to obtain a photo ID. Many people are privileged because they don’t realize all the requirements it takes to obtain the necessities to vote, and that gives me more incentive to encourage people who can do so in hopes that we all one day can vote accessibly. Q. Who inspired you to do this work? A. A lot of my inspirations are women, particularly ones like Emmeline Pankhurst, who fought for women gaining the right to vote. Also, “she-roes” like Diane Nash and Grace Thorpe who made voting rights more inclusive. However, my most prominent influence has and always will be Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who taught me to speak my mind even if my voice shakes. Q. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in supporting the democratic process but doesn’t know where to start? My first piece of advice is to have confidence in what you believe in so that it drowns out those that may be critical of you. There have been days when I’m the only woman in the room and have been told that I’m not a “leader”, I’m “bossy”. There have been days when I come home from doing bipartisan volunteer work and face cyberbullies on the internet. Being involved in the democratic process means putting a lot of work in and sometimes getting little out, but it also means waking up every day with a purpose and building a community of people who promise to stand with you even when it gets hard. Start with some self-reflection, find some issues you’re passionate about and do a lot of self-education. When you’re ready, start small and I promise that you’ll end up achieving something big.

Q. Can you share a story from your work supporting voter registration that was meaningful to you? A. It’s always the people who have faced challenges with voting that make the work meaningful for me and remind me that we can easily take voting for

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

By the People. For the People. Photo: American woman votes, ca. 1920

Photo: Men in Mumbai, India show ink-marked fingers after casting their votes in front of polling booth

Photo: Black woman votes at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C. on November 3rd, 1964

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Photo: Voters cast their ballots at the polls in Depok, West Java, Indonesia

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Voting Is Just One Step It’s a common misconception that our civic duty of voting begins and ends at the polling place. The act of casting your ballot is just one step of carrying out the democratic process. There are also opportunities for listening, learning and advocating. No matter who you support or which political party you belong to, it’s important to keep an open mind and to listen and learn about the candidates and issues at hand. Political ads or even people close to us like family and friends can be very influential when it comes to who and what we vote for. When you allow for neutral, fact-based information to be a part of our voting process, you can make a more informed and thoughtful decision when voting. And once you’ve committed to voting on election day, you can influence others to join you. You can start with those same family and friends, educating them on their rights and why voting matters. To reach even more people in order to encourage greater voter participation, there are a wide variety of opportunities.

Here are a few: • Sharing voting resources on social media • Partnering with voter advocacy organizations to write letters or make phone calls to registered voters • Start a voter registration campaign at your school, workplace or place of worship If there’s a candidate or local proposition you strongly support, consider volunteering for a campaign. Whether it’s canvassing for a presidential candidate or supporting a campaign fundraiser for a local council member, helping a campaign can be an invaluable way to progress the values and causes you care about. And if you’d like to help ensure voters who go to the polls on election day have a positive experience, consider signing up to be a poll worker, poll watcher or election protection volunteer. When people encounter any issues around voter ability and access, you can help them understand their rights and options. By finding ways to be a part of the entire democratic process, you can help build more inclusive voting systems and overall, greater representation at all levels of government.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Did You Know? THE YOUNGEST LEGAL VOTING AGE IN THE WORLD IS 16 IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS AUSTRIA, BRAZIL AND NICARAGUA21

IN THE U.S., WEATHER AND FARMING INFLUENCED THE TIMING OF ELECTIONS SO THEY OCCURRED IN THE LATE FALL AFTER HARVESTING WAS COMPLETE24

IN MOST COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY NONENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES, ELECTIONS ARE HELD ON SUNDAYS22

SINCE 1997, AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO VOTE FROM SPACE THROUGH A SPECIAL ELECTRONIC ABSENTEE BALLOT25

TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH LITERACY, VOTERS IN GAMBIA CAST THEIR VOTES BY DROPPING MARBLES INTO COLOR-CODED METAL DRUMS WITH PICTURES OF THE CANDIDATES23

THE ANCIENT GREEKS WERE THE FIRST TO CREATE A DEMOCRACY26

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

What Does That Mean? Absentee vote27

Push polling36

A vote cast by a person who, because of absence from usual voting, district, illness, or the like, has been permitted to vote by mail

A negative campaigning technique, typically conducted by telephone, used to influence voters by asking specific questions about an issue or candidate. Under the guise of an objective opinion poll, loaded questions are posed to mislead or bias the listener against an opposing candidate or political party

Assistive technology devices that improve or maintain the capabilities of people with disabilities (such as no vision, low vision, mobility, or cognitive).28 In the polling place, these devices can include an audio ballot for voters who are visually impaired or blind29

Ballot box30 a sealed box into which voters put completed ballots

Canvassing31 to go door-to-door in order to solicit political support for a candidate or campaign, or to determine opinions or sentiments

Gerrymandering32 the practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections

Overvote33 When a voter chooses more candidates on a ballot than is permitted, thereby invalidating the ballot

Poll tax a fee of a fixed amount per person levied on adults and often linked to the right to vote.34 In the US, it was used as a legal way to keep African Americans from voting in southern states until the 24th Amendment prohibited the use of poll taxes for federal elections in 196435

Suffrage37 The right to vote in electing public officials and adopting or rejecting proposed legislation

Voter Suppression38 Any legal or unregulated measure or strategy whose purpose or practical effect is to reduce voting or registering to vote, by members of a targeted racial group, political party or religious community

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Learning Library Tools and Resources:

Fair Elections Center

International IDEA

Ballotpedia

Vote411

Rock the Vote

IFES

When We All Vote

Federal Election Commission

Learn More: Working For Democracy: Making Democracy Work (NDI) The Year Women Received the Right to Vote by Country (Brilliant Maps) Democracy Works (Podcast) What Voting Rights Look Like in 6 Countries Around the World (Global Citizen) How Do Counties Around the World Run their Elections? (Pew Research) Voting Rights Tracker (Voting Rights Lab) Global Election Calendar (NDI) Become a Poll Worker (Work Elections) What to Know About Volunteering for a Political Campaign (Rewire)

What to Watch: John Lewis: Good Trouble (Documentary) There’s No Such Thing as Not Voting (TEDx Talk) Suffragette (Movie) Willie Velasquez: Your Vote is Your Voice (Documentary)

The Book Nook:

The Fight to Vote

Why They Marched

Thank You For Voting

Michael Waldman

Susan Ware

Erin Geiger Smith

These resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Points of Light of any of the products, services or opinions. Points of Light bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content. If there are questions or concerns about the inclusion of a particular resource, please contact info@pointsoflight.org.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Youth and Family Corner Even though many young people are not eligible to vote, helping them understand the power of voting today will influence their participation in civic engagement tomorrow. When speaking to young people about voting, it’s great to remind them how this one action can help support causes and policies they care about. By supporting an issue on the ballot or a candidate who aligns with their values, they can positively impact their community and country. Here are a few ways to help them get ready to vote: 1. Let them see you vote. Whether you’re completing a mail in ballot or going to vote in person, let young people see you cast your ballot. Explain what you’re doing, who or what you’re voting for and why. If they’re older and can understand the issue, start a dialogue with them about who they would vote for and why. If they vote differently, this is a great opportunity to model respectful disagreement on issues by saying something along the lines of “that’s interesting, tell me more about that.” 2. Connect them to opportunities that show the power of voting in action. Even if they can’t vote, there are many ways young people can get involved in law making. There are many city and state youth boards and councils that provide recommendations to elected officials and show the great power of future voters. Daily Point of Light honoree Sara Cheung serves on the San Francisco Youth Commission and advocates for legislation that impacts children and youth. 3. Have them register to vote as soon as they’re able. While the legal age to vote varies by country, some countries allow young people to preregister so they will be registered by the time they do reach the eligible voting age. 4. Have fun with mock elections. Is chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin the best cookie? Is ice cream or cake the better dessert? Have young people vote on their favorite things to help them understand the process of voting. Have a few young people debate why something is better (pizza is the better meal over pasta!), set up a ballot and allow them to vote on their preferences. This is a great activity where you can get the whole family, classroom or neighborhood involved!

Family Friendly Books & Resources The following are resources for families to encourage listening and learning from others as well as information on finding other resources you can trust:

My Vote

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

The Voting Booth

Sesame Street

Why Voting is Important?

Megan E. Bryant and

Andrea Beaty

Brandy Colbert

Steve Carrell - Vote

Kids Academy

Daniel Prosterman

Should 16-Year-Olds Be Allowed to Vote? Above the Noise

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Continue the Conversation How do your friends, family and colleagues think about the importance of voting? Here are some discussion questions to get started: Do you tend to vote more regularly in national versus local elections? Why or why not? If you don’t vote consistently, what are the barriers that influence this? What do you think are some ways to make voting easier and more accessible? What would a higher voter turnout mean for your community or country? Beyond the act of voting itself, what are some other ways you have participated in the democratic process? Are there any opportunities that interest you?

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Civic Life Journey: Personal Action Plan Do you want to leverage your time and talent to support the democratic process and voting in support of what matters most to you? Use this worksheet to develop your own Personal Action Plan! By going through each question, you’ll discover opportunities that match your interests and values, and identify up to three action steps. Families are also encouraged to do this exercise together.

What are the issues that you are most passionate about? Circle the 3 issue areas that most interest you.

• Adult or Youth Education

• Philanthropic or Social Mission

• Animal Welfare

• Hunger

• Arts & Culture

• Immigrant or Refugee Services

• Civil & Human Rights

• LGBTQ+ Rights

• Disaster Response

• Racial & Social Justice

• Environment/Climate Change

• Senior Services

• Fair Wages & Labor Practices

• Veterans

• Health & Wellness

• Women & Girls

• Homelessness & Housing

• Other: ___________

• Human Trafficking

• Other: ___________

How have you leveraged voting in support of these issues?

How would you like to see these issues improved in your own community or globally?

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Discovery: Learn more about the work being done! What politicians/candidates, groups or organizations are working to make the changes you want to see around these issues?

How does the democratic process and voting influence this work? What opportunities exist to get involved?

Did your research reveal any misconceptions or surprises?

What more do you want to learn?

What three new actions will you take in support of voting over the next six months? (Get creative and make sure your action steps align with what is needed by the causes and opportunities you are interested in supporting.)

1. 2. 3.

This Personal Action Plan was developed in partnership with HandsOn Greater Richmond, a service of the Community Foundationfor a greater Richmond, and was inspired by their Giving Back Guide.

CIVIC LIFE TODAY // VOTE // POINTS OF LIGHT

Appendix 1

https://www.forbes.com/sites/civicnation/2020/09/04/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/upshot/youth-voting-2020-election.html

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/michelle-obama-clinton-campaigning-228844

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55902070

https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/12/world/saudia-arabia-women-vote/index.html

https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-every-american-can-vote/vote-suppression

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/22-countries-voting-mandatory

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/03/663709392/why-every-vote-matters-the-elections-decided-by-a-single-vote-or-a-little-more

https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/ https://www.prb.org/resources/who-votes-in-america/

10 11

https://onlinepoliticalsciencedegree.eku.edu/insidelook/what-causes-low-voter-turnout-united-states

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/scores-of-women-divorced-or-abandoned-for-voting-in-tanzanian-elections

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2018/11/05

https://help.vote.org/article/6-do-i-need-to-re-register-to-vote-for-e

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/opinion/election-night-2016/

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/timeline-voter-suppression-us-civil-war-today/story?id=72248473

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/10/21/239081586/the-racial-history-of-the-grandfather-clause

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