A Reflection on Our First Six Months with the Voter Education Initiative

Editor's Note: The Patterson Foundation created its Voter Education initiative to make nonpartisan information on Primary and General elections easily accessible to eligible and potential voters. The initiative equips voters with information and materials from trusted local and national sources to make independent and informed decisions based on their own analysis and priorities.

As I [Leah Verier-Dunn] reflect upon the initial six months of the Voter Education initiative that I co-lead with Lyndsey Smith, I think about the importance of information. Whether it be understanding our ballots or knowing when and where to show up, there is a lot we need to know by the time we reach the polls. The climb to Election Day is no easy feat. Through this initiative, I learned that there are many helpers and tools within reach. However, in order to reach them, people have to know they are there.

Election season truly demonstrates the importance of accessibility. Through our process, it became clear that much more of our electorate may show up if things were just a little bit simpler and a little more accessible. Our individual lives can present a lot of obstacles in getting to the polls; discovering and understanding what’s available to help really matters. To continue our commitment to strengthen the efforts of people, organizations, and communities through shared aspirations, we researched what already exists to see where we could offer a support system.

Tools like Vote.org help with connecting you directly to the resources and information you need to have your voice heard on election day. Vote411.org provides detailed candidate and ballot information and breaks down ballot language for better understanding. The Supervisors of Elections' offices are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to answer any questions over the phone. Some organizations help transport people to the polls. Others focus on mobilizing young voters. There is a vast web of civic helpers looking for ways to support citizens to feel empowered to make their voices heard.

Acknowledging the current efforts in place, The Voter Education team helped by facilitating the connection between people and resources. These resources and more are the key to expanding our electorate and encouraging a more active voter turnout. Using the mighty powers of our TPF team, we were able to inform, inspire, and equip voters with the resources they needed to follow through.

The beautiful thing about living in a democracy is that our civic responsibilities and opportunities continue. There are many formal and informal ways to take part in shaping our communities. In looking forward, I find myself thinking about using this time in between elections as a catalyst for building up our individual tool belts. What can we help someone learn now, during a less stressful time, that will stock them with the tools they need for the future? Ensuring our fellow citizens are connected with important resources expands the potential reach of our shared knowledge. I am excited to dive into the next stages of the Voter Education initiative as we uncover all that is possible.