VoteRiders

VoteRiders
Motto Votes count. Be counted.
Formation 2012
Founder Kathleen Unger
Type Non-profit organization
45-5081831
Legal status 501(c)(3) organization
Purpose Voting rights
Headquarters Santa Monica, California
Region served
United States
President and CEO
 Kathleen Unger
Website www.voteriders.org

VoteRiders is an American non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to ensure that all citizens are able to exercise their right to vote.[1] Through resources and media exposure, VoteRiders supports on-the-ground organizations that assist citizens to secure their voter IDs[2] and inspires local volunteers and communities to sustain such programs and galvanize others to emulate these efforts.[3][4]

Vote Riders was founded in 2012 by Kathleen Unger,[5] an election integrity specialist since 2002,[6] and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.[7] Dedicated to ensuring that eligible American citizens can vote, VoteRiders focuses specifically on helping vulnerable voters to obtain the documents required for their state's voter ID.[8]

Activities

VoteRiders, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, has been featured extensively in local,[9][10] national[11][12][13] and international[14][15] media in connection with voter ID issues.[16][17] And VoteRiders' CEO Kathleen Unger has been asked to speak on voter ID issues at colleges and universities such as Pepperdine University[18][19] and Occidental College.[20]

VoteRiders has developed printable wallet cards that summarize each state's voting requirements in English and Spanish, which are available on its website. They also established a toll free hotline that citizens can call for voter ID information and assistance.[21]

VoteRiders on the ground

VoteRiders helps civic engagement, other entities and voters in 15 target states (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) that require government-issued voter IDs.

Some of VoteRiders’ on the ground efforts include:

Texas

In response to a 2012 Justice Department report that some 1.4 million Texans would be affected by the Texas Voter ID Law,[22] VoteRiders hosted its first Voter ID Clinic in Houston on September 21, 2013,[23] and in May 2014 brought Marianela Acuña Arreaza on board as Texas Coordinator.[22][24] "VoteRiders also reached out to elected officials on the Federal, State and Local levels in Harris County and contacted precinct chairs for both the Republican and Democratic parties. Tables filled with information on the new law were set up at church services and other public gatherings.

Partner organizations hosted presentations to explain the new law to the public. Volunteers were trained for voter outreach. It was a first step toward VoteRiders' ultimate goal: a nationwide network of Partner Organizations and volunteers dedicated to helping eligible citizens get the documents they need to vote."[25]

Wisconsin

It is estimated that approximately 600,000 (18%) of registered Wisconsin voters in 2016 were negatively impacted by the State's newly enforced Voter ID law.[26] This is composed of more than 300,000 registered voters who did not have an acceptable voter photo ID[27][28][29] and an additional 300,000 voters who were confused and intimidated by the state's voter ID law even though they did, in fact, have the correct ID to vote.[30] This reality motivated VoteRiders to launch the nation's first ever "Voter ID Month," which took place in Wisconsin in March 2016.[31][32]

VoteRiders efforts in Wisconsin were spearheaded by Molly McGrath, National Campaign Coordinator,[33][34][35] and Anita Johnson, Wisconsin Statewide Coordinator,[36] who worked with the organization's partners in the Dane County Voter ID Coalition. Reporting directly to CEO Kathleen Unger, their efforts included training volunteers throughout Dane County,[32] registering thousands of voters to make sure they have valid (1) ID and if not, (2) documents to get voter ID, and arranging transportation to the DMV, oftentimes with a member of VoteRiders’ team to assist.[37][38][39]

Activities were focused especially on low-income and transient voters[40] (including young professionals) by way of events and presentations with voters at churches, colleges, high schools, libraries,[41] homeless shelters, food pantries, job centers, education centers, apartment buildings and corporations, etc. in downtown Madison and throughout the county.[32][42] Examples include: phone banks, University of Wisconsin-Madison (14,000 out-of-state students) "Get It Free with Your Voter ID" pizza parties; T-shirts with "Ask Me" (front) and "About Voter ID" (back).[43][44][45]

On March 2, 2016, VoteRiders conducted a Press Conference at the Capitol[32][46] that resulted in huge press reportage, including coverage by all TV network affiliates.[47][48] VoteRiders was pivotal to the WI legislature's and governor's expanding approved voter IDs to include a Veterans Affairs card in just-enacted legislation. Based on the results of the Voter ID Month, VoteRiders will create and distribute a toolkit to other communities in Wisconsin and across the country.[47]

Alabama

In the weeks preceding the December 2017 Roy Moore–Doug Jones special election to the U.S. Senate in Alabama, Vote Riders had been actively assisting voters in obtaining the IDs which would make them eligible to cast a ballot.[49]

Supporters

  • Foundation Supporters
  • Corporate Supporters
    • AerioConnect
    • Dailey Advertising and Tom Lehr

VoteRiders Coalition

VoteRiders Partner Organizations

National Partner Organizations

  • Election Protection
    • The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is the lead partner of the non-partisan Election Protection Coalition, of which VoteRiders is also a partner. It was formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. The coalition features the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866ourvote.org), administered by the Lawyers' Committee, and 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (http://veyvota.yaeshora.info/), administered by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund. These and other coalition resources provide comprehensive voter information and advice on how citizens can make sure their vote is counted. Other coalition partners with which VoteRiders is working include: Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, and Fair Elections Legal Network.
    • Project VOTE
      • Project VOTE works to build an electorate that accurately represents the diversity of this nation's citizenry, and to ensure that every eligible citizen can register, vote, and cast a ballot that counts.

National Collaborating Organizations

State Partner Organizations

  • Mississippi
    • Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Annual Memorial Service and Conference Committee: VoteRiders provided a Voter ID Questionnaire and Voter Advocate Guide for the 50th Annual Mississippi Civil Rights Martyrs Memorial Service, Caravan, Conference and March for Justice in June 2014 in Neshoba County, Mississippi.
  • New Hampshire
    • America Votes - New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
    • North Carolina State Board of Elections: the state agency charged with overall responsibility for administration of the elections process and campaign finance disclosure in North Carolina. The office of the State Board of Elections works in conjunction with County Board of Elections offices to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.
  • Pennsylvania
    • Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership: a growing coalition of over 420 nonprofit organizations from a 10-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin
    • African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable: exists to improve the quality of life for Wisconsin’s African-American community through issue-based organizing.
    • Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is committed to achieving a Wisconsin which embraces the full agency of our democracy.
    • Dane County Voter ID Coalition: educates voters about the requirement to show a voter photo ID to receive a ballot on Election Day or when voting absentee.
    • League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County: conducts nonpartisan voter service and citizen education activities.
    • NAACP Milwaukee Branch: mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
    • Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: mission is to empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health through patient services, education and advocacy.
    • Wisconsin Voices: a network of over 60 nonpartisan civic engagement organizations that leverage their collective power to mobilize and empower people to strengthen Wisconsin's democracy for everyone.
    • Others with whom VoteRiders is collaborating in Wisconsin:

References

  1. ↑ Rainey, James (October 20, 2012). "Ohio has early voting, but other vote access issues remain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. ↑ Roth, Zachary (September 30, 2016). "Court: Wisconsin Must Probe Accessibility of Voter IDs". NBC News. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ "VoteRiders' Mission". VoteRiders. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  4. ↑ Florsheim, Lane (September 16, 2013). "VoteRiders President Kathleen Unger, Who Aims to Help Disenfranchised Voters In States With Stringent Voter ID Laws". Bustle. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  5. ↑ Field, Andy (18 June 2012). "Protecting Your Voting Rights". ABC News Radio. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Sloan, Ellen (23 August 2012). "Women of All Political Stripes May Be Disenfranchised at November Polls". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Coghlan, Ed (5 November 2012). "California group poised to work on voter IDs this week, but not in California". CAFwd.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  8. ↑ Williams, Amanda (2014-10-01). "The importance of Texas women of color in the November election". OutSmart. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  9. ↑ Magruder, Melonie (26 September 2012). "Taking Aim at ID Laws". The Malibu Times. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  10. ↑ Groves, Alex (2014-11-03). "UCI professor catches Supreme Court dissent mistake, prompting rare correction". The Daily Titan, California State University, Fullerton. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  11. ↑ Ringe, Don (4 November 2012). "GOP Suppression Smacks Down Ohio Turnout". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  12. ↑ Chen, Karen (2014-11-02). "Little demand for voter ID cards, but some hit obstacles". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  13. ↑ Roth, Zachary (2014-11-04). "Texas sees surge of disenfranchised voters". MSNBC. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  14. ↑ Pereda, Christina (10 September 2012). "Las elecciones de EE UU también se disputan en los tribunales". El Pais. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  15. ↑ Brunet, Romain (2014-11-02). "Élections de mi-mandat : ces Américains privés de leur droit de vote". France 24. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  16. ↑ "VoteRiders Campaign". The Real News. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  17. ↑ Atkin, Emily (2014-10-27). "Texas Election Judge Had To Turn Away 93-Year-Old Veteran Due To Strict Voter ID Law". ThinkProgress. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  18. ↑ LaZebnik, Ken (8 October 2012). "VoteRiders Org Addresses Voter ID Laws at Payson Library". Pepperdine University. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  19. ↑ Irick, Whitney (17 October 2012). "Media strategist speaks on voter ID laws". Pepperdine University Graphic. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Election Speaker Series - Kathleen Unger - "Voter ID Laws: How You Can Help"". 18 October 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  21. ↑ Gillett, Rachel; Harrington, Rebecca (November 7, 2016). "Get ready to vote: Answers to 10 practical Election Day questions". Business Insider. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  22. 1 2 Pimentel, O. Ricardo (16 May 2014). "VoteRiders helping right a wrong". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  23. ↑ Florsheim, Lane. "VoteRiders President Kathleen Unger, Who Aims to Help Disenfranchised Voters in States with Stringent Voter ID Laws". Bustle. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  24. ↑ Gawronsky, Nathan (2 October 2012). "Voter ID laws to prevent fraud". The Corsair, Santa Monica College. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  25. ↑ Fetty, Kelly (2015-01-14). "Need an ID to vote? VoteRiders can help". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  26. ↑ "United States District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  27. ↑ Cassidy, Christina (23 September 2016). "New laws and rulings could cause Election Day confusion". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  28. ↑ Elbow, Steven (3 March 2016). "Madison-area activists, officials announce concerted voter ID effort". The Cap Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  29. ↑ Loftus, Alec (4 April 2016). "Bernie Might Get Burned by Voter ID". U.S. News. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "Wisconsin voter ID law leaves state braced for primary day chaos". 5 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  31. ↑ Saxena, Vidushi (2 March 2016). "County residents encourage voter education outreach during Dane County Voter ID Month". The Badger Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "Officials help launch 'Voter ID Month' at State Capitol March 2". The Star. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  33. ↑ Stocker, Michelle (16 October 2016). "Former Miss Wisconsin continues fighting for voter rights". The Journal Times. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  34. ↑ Marley, Patrick (29 September 2016). "DMV gives wrong information on voter ID". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  35. ↑ Gumbel, Andrew (20 April 2016). "Are voter ID laws the next hanging chads?". L.A. Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  36. ↑ Berman, Ari (6 April 2016). "Wisconsin's Voter ID Law Caused Major Problems at the Polls Last Night". The Nation. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  37. ↑ Berman, Ari (29 September 2016). "Wisconsin Is Systematically Failing to Provide the Photo IDs Required to Vote in November". The Nation. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  38. ↑ Diallo, Amadou (10 February 2016). "Republicans champion voter ID laws absent credible evidence of fraud". Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  39. ↑ Mills, Shamane (2 March 2016). "National Group Steps In To Help Madison Voters With ID Requirements". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  40. ↑ Bauer, Scott (25 September 2016). "Push on to get Wisconsin voters required photo IDs". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  41. ↑ Cassidy, Christina (22 September 2016). "City partners with libraries to make voting easier". The Badger Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  42. ↑ Dale, Daniel (3 April 2016). "New ID laws, long lines raise allegations of U.S. voting discrimination". The Star. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  43. ↑ Bauer, Scott (25 September 2016). "'ID lady' fights to get photo IDs for Wisconsin voters". The Wisconsin Gazette. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  44. ↑ Farabaugh, Kane (1 April 2016). "Wisconsin Voters Adjust to New ID Rules". Voice of America. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  45. ↑ Roth, Zachary (4 April 2016). "'Desperate times for democracy' in Wisconsin". MSNBC. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  46. ↑ Scheidt, Katie (3 March 2016). "Community leaders announce Voter ID Month in Madison". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  47. 1 2 Heinen, Neil (23 March 2016). "For the Record: Voting, Madison musicians taking care of each other". Channel 3000, WISC-TV, CBS Affiliate. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  48. ↑ "Live At The University Of Wisconsin: Primary Day". Huffington Post. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  49. ↑ Levine, Sam (December 11, 2017). "There Are Huge Obstacles To Casting A Ballot In Alabama's Special Election". HuffPost. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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