{"id":162284,"date":"2015-09-08T17:51:12","date_gmt":"2015-09-09T00:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=162284"},"modified":"2020-12-04T11:19:26","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T19:19:26","slug":"9-ways-to-take-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/9-ways-to-take-action","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways You Can\u00a0Take Action\u00a0Ahead of the Election\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The importance of voting is clear. But for some, it\u2019s not as simple as mailing in a ballot or driving to the polls. Language barriers, work constraints, family commitments and other factors can make casting a ballot challenging. Stress on our voting systems and the current global pandemic further complicate this year\u2019s election. That\u2019s why it\u2019s equally important to give whatever we can\u2014<\/span>our time, voice, money or talents\u2014to help encourage a more equitable polling process. To make it easy, we\u2019ve rounded up a few ways you can get involved this election season. This list isn\u2019t exhaustive, but we hope it inspires you to get started.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take Action in Person<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Here are a few things you can consider doing in person, so long as you feel comfortable. As always, please remember to follow <\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and state guidance for COVID-19 protocols and precautions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer your language skills<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Between 2014 and 2018, about 21.5 percent of families and people living together spoke a language other than English at home, according to\u00a0<\/span>U.S. Census data<\/span>. To help eliminate communication barriers, some counties with large populations of non-English speakers hire paid translators to help at polling locations.\u00a0<\/span>Some counties allow translators to work by phone<\/span>,<\/span> instead of in person.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to participate? Contact your local board of elections to see whether they need your services and how to get involved.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Become a poll worker<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Poll workers are responsible for preparing a polling location, greeting voters, verifying registrants, issuing ballots and explaining voting procedures, among other things. Finding enough people to be poll workers\u00a0<\/span>can be\u00a0<\/span>challeng<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in any election\u00a0<\/span>year, but this season is especially tough.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, the people who sign up to be poll workers are in their 60s and retired,\u00a0<\/span>according to\u00a0<\/span>Pew Research Center<\/span><\/a>\u00a0analysis<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>But\u00a0<\/span>given general COVID-19 health concerns and the increased risk for serious complications that come<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0with older age<\/span>, fewer people are volunteering this year<\/span>, said Amanda Zoch, policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>could present a significant\u00a0<\/span>challenge for Election Day, as<\/span>\u00a0in-person voting depends on the availability of poll workers<\/span>, according to\u00a0<\/span>Zoc<\/span>h<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help address the shortage, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission dubbed Sept. 1 National Poll Worker Recruitment Day to encourage people to sign up.\u00a0<\/span>Similarly, a new initiative called Power the Polls is working to recruit 250,000 Americans to sign up to be poll workers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey really are on the front lines of our elections, making sure the process runs smoothly and accurately,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Zoch\u00a0<\/span>said in an email to the Co-op Journal.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To participate<\/span>\u00a0and learn more about COVID-19 precautions for poll workers<\/span>, check with your local election office on how to apply. Qualifications and compensation vary by state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteer as a nonpartisan citizen observer<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Nonpartisan citizen observers help monitor polling and check for compliance with election regulations. There\u2019s no specific process for becoming a nonpartisan citizen observer, Zoch said. Some states prohibit them.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check<\/span><\/a>\u00a0with your local election office for details on whether your state allows nonpartisan citizen observers and how to apply.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Provide legal guidance<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Election Protection<\/span><\/a>, a nonpartisan voter protection coalition, sends volunteers to polling locations to answer voter questions, including how to contact their board of elections, how to resolve an issue with a ballot, ways to ensure their ballot counts and how to cast a provisional ballot. Volunteers must be legal professionals to participate.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to assist in person? Offer your expertise at Election Protection\u2019s call center.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take Action From Home<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Here are a few ways to get involved if you can\u2019t volunteer in person due to health concerns or other factors.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Donate\u00a0<\/span><\/b>personal protective equipment<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Considering offering your talents to create masks for poll workers. Where and how to donate can vary by county, but you can typically find that information by contacting the office of the\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>ecretary<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>tate<\/span>. Counties may have requirements for ensuring donated masks meet public health standards, so be sure to double<\/span>–<\/span>check with your local officials.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Write letters<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

You don\u2019t have to be good with words to write a letter encouraging people to vote. A variety of nonpartisan organizations provide messaging, addresses and other materials (like a printable template) to make it easy to encourage people to vote.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizations to consider:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n