When We All Vote

STATEMENT: When We All Vote Executive Director Calls the SAVE Act a Dangerous Attack on Voting Rights

kathryn@civicnation.org — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:05:53 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Despite Its Name, the SAVE Act Would Not “Save” Anything — It Would Put Democracy at Risk and Undermine Americans’ Right to Vote.

Washington, DC: Today, Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote, released the following statement following the House of Representatives vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act:

“Despite its name, the SAVE Act would not “save” anything — it is an outright attack on our democracy and undermines Americans’ fundamental right to vote. Democracy has to work for all of us, not some of us, and the SAVE Act is another attempt to silence voters and decrease participation in our elections.

“90 million Americans did not cast a ballot in 2024, and it’s clear that we should be making voting easier, not harder. The SAVE Act would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to register to vote and would disproportionately impact young voters, Black and Brown voters, women, lower-income voters, rural voters and Americans impacted by climate disasters. The requirement to provide proof of citizenship documents in person to register to vote or update their voter registration would effectively end online, automatic and mail-in voter registration.

“Registering voters online and in person is at the core of When We All Vote’s work increasing participation in every election and closing the race and age voting gaps. Registering to vote can be overwhelming, and we provide voters with the resources and tools they need to get registered and ready to make their voices heard. Last year, When We All Vote helped more than 300,000 Americans register or check their voter registration. The SAVE Act would eliminate this work, and make registering to vote a daunting task.

“While proponents of the bill try to distract us with false declarations that they are protecting our elections, we see through their hollow claims of voter fraud and attempts at voter suppression. We know the truth: Only eligible citizens vote in elections.

“If our voices weren’t so powerful, they wouldn’t be trying so hard to silence us. Our democracy is being stretched to its limits by blatant, targeted voter suppression. This year, there are more than 100,000 local elections across 45 states, and more than 280 bills making it harder to vote have already been introduced. But we still have power. Voting rights protect every other right, and the fight to protect and strengthen our democracy continues with legislation like the recently introduced John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to dismantle racist barriers to voting.

“Our work doesn’t end at the ballot box, it starts at the ballot box, and we encourage current and future voters to take action now by urging the Senate to vote ‘NO’ on this dangerous bill.”

Last year, When We All Vote reached more than 14 million voters and mobilized more than 300,000 Americans to register to vote or check their voter registration. As the SAVE Act moves to the U.S. Senate, voters can contact their members of Congress and take action with When We All Vote now at WeAll.Vote/fight.

Press interested in speaking with Beth Lynk about the SAVE Act and its potential impact should contact press@civicnation.org.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.

In 2020, When We All Vote ran a robust, multifaceted campaign and reached more than 100 million people to educate them about the voting process and get them registered and ready to vote. The initiative also led in voter education, registration, and volunteer engagement and as a result, 512,000 people started or completed the voter registration process, and nearly 500 media, corporate, and nonprofit partners joined its efforts.

Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson. When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). Learn more here.

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post STATEMENT: When We All Vote Executive Director Calls the SAVE Act a Dangerous Attack on Voting Rights appeared first on When We All Vote.

ICYMI: Michelle Obama Reminds Young Voters of the Power of Their Vote and Their Voice at When We All Vote Georgia Rally

Giovanna Salucci — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 17:34:06 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

An All-Star Lineup of When We All Vote Co-Chairs and Ambassadors, Including Kerry Washington, D-Nice and Victoria Monét Join First-Time Voters Ahead of Election Day

In case you missed it, on Tuesday, October 29, When We All Vote hosted the When We All Vote Rally at Gateway Center Arena in Georgia. Buses of college students and first-time voters arrived to celebrate making their voices heard and bringing their energy to the ballot box. From When We All Vote Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama’s headline remarks and performances from Ari Lennox, D-Nice, Benny Blanco and Clark Atlanta University’s drumline to highlighting first-time voters and Georgia advocates and organizers, the rally built momentum and excitement ahead of the last day of early voting and Election Day.

Co-Hosts Kalen Allen and Lynae Vanee energized the audience as When We All Vote’s celebrity Co-Chairs and Ambassadors shared the importance of voting early, making a plan to vote and what is at stake in this year’s elections. Victoria Monét recalled her her first time voting, Marsai Martin made sure her #VotingSquad is ready to vote, Kerry Washington celebrated the Georgia organizations leading this work year-round and Kelly Rowland helped voters make a plan to vote this year.

In her headline remarks, Mrs. Obama reminded voters of their power: “Our vote is our voice. It is our power. It is the key to our ability to express ourselves and build the community and the country we want to live in.” She also emphasized that voting is about “protecting the people that we love,” encouraging voters to make sure their families, friends and communities vote early.

Georgia voters are showing up in record numbers to vote early this year, with 313,406 Georgia voters having cast their ballots on the first day of in-person early voting, as compared to 136,000 in 2020. Three days before early voting ends in Georgia on November 1, voters — especially first-time voters — filled up Gateway Center Arena with this energy, uplifting the issues motivating them to vote this year and building their own #VotingSquads. First-time voter Desana Clark shared the “joy and liberation” she felt while casting her ballot with her family last week.

The rally was completely nonpartisan and not affiliated with any campaign or political party, with When All Vote Executive Director Beth Lynk highlighting that “When We All Vote is a nonpartisan organization on a mission to change the culture around voting. This means you won’t hear anything tonight about specific candidates or races. Our goal is bigger than that. We want to help people recognize their vote matters and empower them to use it, particularly folks who’ve been historically left out.”

Rally speakers included:

Michelle Obama, Founder and Co-Chair, When We All Vote
Kalen Allen, Ambassador, When We All Vote; Rally Co-Host
Cliff Albright, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter
Tamieka Atkins, Executive Director, ProGeorgia
LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter
Ciara, Ambassador, When We All Vote
Amanda Hollowell, Managing Director of National Organizing, When We All Vote
Liza Koshy, Co-Chair, When We All Vote
Beth Lynk, Executive Director, When We All Vote
Marsai Martin, Ambassador, When We All Vote
Victoria Monét, Ambassador, When We All Vote
Shonda Rhimes, Co-Chair, When We All Vote
Kelly Rowland, Ambassador, When We All Vote
Lynae Vanee, Ambassador, When We All Vote; Rally Co-Host
Kerry Washington, Co-Chair, When We All Vote
Rita Wilson, Co-Chair, When We All Vote

The rally, sponsored by Lyft, SEIU, the National Education Association and United Talent Agency, can be viewed in full here. Select photos are attached, and reporters interested in learning more about the rally and When We All Vote’s work should contact press@civicnation.org.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post ICYMI: Michelle Obama Reminds Young Voters of the Power of Their Vote and Their Voice at When We All Vote Georgia Rally appeared first on When We All Vote.

Michelle Obama Delivers Headline Remarks at When We All Vote Rally

kathryn@civicnation.org — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:02:17 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

In Headline Speech, When We All Vote Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama Mobilizes and Celebrates First-Time Voters in Georgia

Today, When We All Vote Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama headlined the When We All Vote Rally at Gateway Center Arena. Featuring a performance from Ari Lennox and speeches from When We All Vote Co-Chairs and Ambassadors, Georgia leaders and more, the nonpartisan rally mobilized first-time voters while celebrating the organizations and partners who work year-round to ensure that Georgia voters are registered and ready to vote.

Mrs. Obama spoke to the crowd about the power of every single vote, the consequences of sitting this election out and the role everyone plays in making sure their communities cast their ballots. Her full remarks and programming for the Rally can be watched here. A full transcript of Mrs. Obama’s remarks is included below.

Transcript of Michelle Obama’s Remarks for the When We All Vote Rally

October 29, 2024

Look at you guys. Well, hey! Oh, my goodness, look at you all. Wow!

Thank you guys, love you so much. Love y’all so much. Alright, we’ve had you all here for quite some time now. We wanted to come to Atlanta because, well, we know y’all know how to throw a good party.

And hasn’t this been a wonderful evening?

I mean, I’ve been in the back, just watching everybody. It’s just so good to have everybody here tonight.

And I want to thank all of my friends. All the folks who took time out of their busy lives to come here to be with Georgia, to be here in Atlanta. Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Liza Koshy, Rita Wilson, Ciara, Victoria Monét, Blanco Brown.

My girl Marsai Martin and Kelly Rowland, DJ D-Nice, Ari Lennox, and of course, our hosts, Kalen and Lynae. Didn’t they do a great job?

But most of all, I want to thank all of you, really.

And we have just one week until Election Day — one week!

So, who’s ready to make their voices heard? Yes!

One week from tonight, all across the country, we are going to find out the leaders who will manage our cities and our schools and our neighborhoods.

We will see which ballot initiatives win out.

We will determine the makeup of the House of Representatives and the U.S Senate.

And I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but we’ll also be picking the next President of the United States, too.

Yes.

But tonight, I’m not going to get into any specific races or candidates — because that’s not what we do at When We All Vote.

We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit effort designed to change our country’s culture around voting.

And I started When We All Vote six years ago because I wanted to make sure that someone was reaching out to the folks who have been left out or left behind in our electoral process — particularly young people and people of color.

So, yes, yes. Our goal is not to tell people who to vote for — but to instead encourage people to get registered; to give them the information they need to cast their ballot; and to make sure they vote in every single election.

Every single election, not just presidential elections.

Altogether, we’ve mobilized millions of people; we’ve helped drive the record-breaking turnout in 2020; we partied at the polls; we picnicked with the Roots; we registered voters at NBA Summer League; and organized at schools, churches, barbershops, you name it.

So, I want to give a big shout-out to all the folks who put in the hard work to make that work possible.

I want to give a big round of applause to the When We All Vote voters, volunteers, staff, all of you all. Thank you.

And to everybody who worked on tonight’s celebration, thank you!

And I also know that we’ve got a lot of folks here tonight who are stepping up to make their voices heard for the very first time — so let’s give a big shoutout to our first-time voters! Yes! I’m proud of you all.

Now, all of you here tonight are the reason why I love this work.

I love you, I love your energy, I love your passion, I love your commitment to this country.

But I have to be honest: Sometimes I wish we didn’t have to do this work at all.

I’m always amazed at how little so many people really understand just how profoundly elections impact our daily lives. I’m astounded by how much coaxing and pleading it takes to get people to recognize how their vote is fundamentally connected to their own self-interest.

Because that’s really what your vote is — it is your chance to tell folks in power what you want.

Look, voting affects everybody — but it especially affects you.

So if you want your life and your future to look better, you gotta vote!

Because in this election, every issue you can possibly care about is on the ballot.

How much comes out of your paychecks in taxes; how much you pay at the grocery store; whether you can afford to ever buy a house; what kind of health insurance you have; who’s making decisions about your reproductive health; how the government will deal with AI; America’s role in the world. I could go on and on and on.

And look, I get it.

It can be intimidating and overwhelming to focus on these huge issues.

And I know life is hard — life be life-ing. Really hard.

People have enough on their plates just trying to get ahead or just trying to survive.

And there are so many distractions that keep us all off balance… so much disinformation flooding our phones… so many lies to keep us uncertain and afraid.

But I believe there are some deeper things going on here, too.

So many folks, particularly our young people, are struggling to find their footing in this world; battling higher levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, frustration.

More folks feel disillusioned, helpless to effect change in their own lives, that makes them increasingly more apathetic.

And as a result, our priorities have gotten a little off whack.

We’ve got a lot of folks thirsty for likes from their followers, but uninterested in the needs of their communities.

We got folks excited to vote on reality shows, but not willing to vote for their actual reality.

Folks climbing up that ladder without thinking about who they step on along the way.

And don’t get me wrong.

There is nothing wrong with being a little ambitious. There’s nothing wrong with working hard to achieve big things in life.

All of us are looking for some level of autonomy and control over our lives.

But what I don’t understand is how so many Americans — of all races and backgrounds — fail to understand that a healthy, functioning, engaged democracy is absolutely critical to our ability to live life on our own terms, people!

Without a vibrant democracy, we don’t have any say in shaping our futures. We don’t have any ability to change anything at all.

Our vote is our voice. It is our power. It is the key to our ability to express ourselves and build the community and the country we want to live in.

And I know all of you here in this room get that.

But I know it’s not always easy to sell that message outside of these walls.

A lot of folks out there are wondering if the political system has their best interests at heart.

Folks feeling unheard and fed up.

Folks resigned to the idea that nothing’s ever going to change, that voting and elections don’t really matter, that the folks in charge don’t care about us, and that maybe the only way to get folks to listen is to not vote at all.

And I’m sure all of you have heard these kinds of conversations from the folks in your lives.

And to tell you the truth, these feelings are not irrational — they come from a valid place.

Look, I love this country to death, but we all know we’ve got a lot of work left to do.

And in this country, change takes not days but decades, y’all.

So that can be frustrating.

So it’s natural to wonder if anyone hears you, if anyone sees you.

It is healthy to push your leaders to be better, even to question the whole system.

But our job — not just at When We All Vote, but as Americans who care about our brothers and sisters — is to stop the spiral of disillusionment and apathy.

It’s our job to show folks that two things can be true at once: That it is possible to be outraged by the slow pace of progress and be committed to your own pursuit of that progress.

It is possible to be disheartened by what’s happening and still choose to do everything in your power to make it better — to speak out, to organize, to donate, and yes, vote for the person you believe is the best candidate for your goals.

See that’s what so many of our ancestors did — the generations who were isolated and denigrated and violated. Yet, nonetheless, believed Dr. King when he said that we can ‘hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.’

The folks who always recognized that no matter how bad things were, here in America, the primary road to building real power — or dismantling someone else’s — runs straight through the ballot box.

Look, I am not a politician… and I will never be — eva, eva.

But, for the past couple of decades, I have seen exactly how power works, y’all.

I have sat at tables with some of the most powerful people in the world. And let me tell you: A lot of these people sitting at those tables have absolutely no clue what your lives are like. Especially if you don’t come from money, or you come from a different background than them.

Many of them go their entire lives without ever crossing paths or having a single conversation with folks who are different from them — folks a lot like all of us here tonight.

So let me tell you something: They could not care less about your apathy.

In fact, they welcome it. They welcome it.

They are happy to be in full control of this game.

That’s why every single person who has real power in this world, they are fully engaged in the political process.

Every CEO and billionaire and corporate board president, they follow the news obsessively.

They hire lobbyists to fight for their interests. They donate to the candidates they seek to influence. You all hear me now? This is what I’m telling you. They donate on both sides of the aisle if it’s in their interest.

And you’d better believe that they vote in every single election — because they know how critical elections are to maintaining and building their power base.

And when we don’t vote, they assume that not only do we not care, but that we are happy to hand our power over to them. Happy!

And what a lot of non-voters don’t understand about real power is that our absence doesn’t make those in charge hear us any better. Instead, our absence is taken as our consent.

They take our indifference as part of their mandate to do whatever they want.

That has always been the truth of how this country runs: The process goes on, with or without you.

Decisions are made. Judges appointed. Laws enacted.

So when you’re talking to folks out there who are considering sitting on the sidelines, I want you to tell them about how this system really works.

Throw some history on ‘em.

Tell them about what happened in 1968. Yeah, that’s when I was a little girl. Y’all weren’t even around. In that election, folks were so fed up with America’s presence in Vietnam, they chose to not vote at all in that election.

Now, we don’t know if those folks would have swayed the election, but here’s what happened next.

We didn’t wind down the war, the U.S. expanded it. Thousands more Americans died on the battlefield, and many folks in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were killed, too.

And then I want you to tell them about the presidential election in 2000, still many of y’all weren’t alive then either.

People actually thought a good way to pick our president was to choose the guy they’d rather have a beer with…a beer.

Like today, folks thought it didn’t make a difference who was in the White House because none of it really mattered. So a lot of folks chose to stay home. And barely half of the voting-age population cast a ballot in that election, by far the lowest rate this century.

And almost 100,000 people voted for a third-party candidate who had no chance of winning. Some voted for that candidate because they wanted to stick their thumb in the eye of the status quo.

That sound familiar?

Because they thought what difference does one vote make, right?

Well, the entire presidency in that election was decided by 537 votes in Florida. 537 votes in one state.

And as I said, the folks who win power take a victory of any size as a mandate.

In the years that followed that election, America chose to invade Iraq, which led to Americans losing their lives in that war for the next eight years.

The LGBTQ community was used as a political wedge, with states across the country banning gay marriage.

An assault weapons ban expired, putting weapons like the AR-15 back on the streets, some of which have made their way into our schools.

So if you’re talking to anybody who thinks elections don’t matter — ask them if any of those things do matter — war… social justice… gun violence.

Or maybe ask them another question. Ask them to list the policies that have been changed by people who didn’t vote. Ask them to name one single community that’s been improved by people who were uninvolved.

And let me tell you they will not be able to do it.

And if they respond by saying that they can’t trust the government or that all politicians are the same, ask them where they’re hearing that nonsense from.

Because the folks who are whispering that stuff into their ears, I guarantee you do not have their best interests at heart.

The videos they’re fed on social media, the algorithms on their phones, some guy on a podcast — those things are designed to make folks feel alienated. They’re run by those same people in power who want to profit from your distraction.

So y’all, you have a choice: You can listen to them. You can fold your arms and stay home.

Or you can listen to me.

And if you want to listen to me, here’s a warning: There are only a handful of very wealthy people in the world who can actually afford to be indifferent about our politics.

And they have so much money that for them, it doesn’t matter who’s in charge. They can keep themselves removed from the rest of us, up and away from whatever happens down below.

And most of us aren’t in that position, especially if you’re just getting started in your life or in your career.

Those who got regular jobs, the folks who weren’t born in this country or speak another language, those who look a different way or love a different way or pray a different way. You don’t have the luxury to be indifferent to who is in power and who makes the rules.

And for the young people, as the years go on, you all are going to be the ones left to clean up the mess.

Because I’m not going to be here forever, and I don’t want you all, our young people, to look up one day and realize that you don’t even recognize the world you’re living in.

I want you all to listen. Because now I hope you’re asking the question: How are you gonna make sure that that doesn’t happen? Especially for your futures.

How are you gonna make sure that those in power actually care about you?

And it’s not by sitting out.

It’s by using the tools you have to make sure that those in power actually see you.

That’s why we have you guys all together here, Georgia. Because the greatest power we have is influencing the outcome of an election.

See, in the end, what matters is community. All of this, you know.

And when we’re talking about voting, we’re talking about protecting our community. Protecting the people that we love.

And the greatest power that you have, in influencing the outcome of this election, is really figuring out your community. It’s focusing your efforts on your own camps.

Because when it comes to getting people engaged, when it comes to convincing someone to get out and vote, folks tend to listen to people they actually know.

I mean, that’s one thing we’ve really learned. Celebrities and famous people, they’re wonderful, and thankfully, we’ve got so many who are focused and they’re willing to come out and spend their time.

But you’ve heard it. Some people will tell famous people, “Shut up and sing. Don’t tell me what to do.”

So there’s only so much we can do for people who we don’t know personally. But people in their day-to-day orbit, people that they share a connection with. You can have an impact.

So I want you all to look around your own circles, the tables you sit at, the relationships you have, and ask those folks: What’s your voting plan?

So I’m talking about your families, your classmates, the folks you sit with in the pew at church, or drink mimosas with after church.

Who can you call while you’re sitting in this lovely Atlanta traffic? I want you to think about that.

It sounds simple but you’d be amazed by how many people avoid having these conversations with the people they know.

Nobody wants to have uncomfortable moments. Nobody wants to make things weird. I get it.

But if you can’t use your voice at the tables where you already sit, how on earth do you expect to have any voice at the tables where you don’t?

So, let me tell you: If y’all live like I live. If someone doesn’t have the good sense to vote, I don’t fool with them.

I wouldn’t pay – sorry, students – but I wouldn’t pay tuition or give gas money to a child of mine that wasn’t gonna vote.

And, fellas, if anybody was that clueless, I definitely wouldn’t go out with them.

So ask these brothers, ‘you registered?’ ‘You want to pull up to me? Let me see your voting card!’ ‘Did you vote early? You cute, but did you vote?’ That’s what I want to know.

So you’ve got to start by being willing to make things just a little uncomfortable with the folks you love.

We can no longer play games with the people in our lives. We have to stop letting one another off the hook for failing to be engaged.

And here’s the thing y’all: I guarantee you that once you have these conversations with the people who really mean something to you, you’re not going to harm those relationships.

No, that’s gonna make them stronger. You’re gonna become closer.

That’s how this works.

So, my advice to all of you: When it comes to getting people to vote, start close…start at home. And then reach out further.

Tell everyone you know that here in Georgia, there are three days left to vote early.

All across the state, as you’ve heard over and over again, you can vote early until November the first, so just go to WhenWeAllVote.org to find the locations that are convenient for you.

And of course, as you’ve heard, you can vote from 7am to 7pm on Election Day.

So make your plan, Atlanta.

And if you’ve already voted, which I heard backstage that a lot of you have. So now you’ve got a whole week to build your voting squad.

I want you to reach out – you heard this – to at least three people — five to survive and ten to win — was that it, did I get it right…who might not vote.

Find those people — you know them. You know them! You’ve got a friend, I know y’all do, a couple of knucklehead friends who are talking about not voting.

You’ve got to find them and shake them up because you know how close this election is going to be.

Four years ago, the presidential race in Georgia was decided by less than 12,000 votes.

And when you break that down, y’all, this is the point you have to hear. When you break 12,000 people down across precincts, that’s just over four votes per precinct.

So these numbers that we’re talking about — three, five, ten — that’s real.

The same year in Iowa, there was an entire Congressional district decided by just six votes. Six votes!

That’s your group chat, that’s half your fantasy football league.

So maybe, just think about it, maybe you and your crew can decide the next Congressperson or State Senator from your area.

And since you have the honor of living in the great state of Georgia, a swing state, maybe — think about this y’all. If you go out and get a crew together, you can decide who sits in the Oval Office. You can decide that.

The power is in your hands, it really is in ways that you don’t even realize. Not just in this election but in every election after because this work doesn’t stop.

The folks who are making it harder to vote certainly don’t stop.

You all have seen and heard about the shenanigans that some folks in this state have been trying to pull… the folks trying to make it harder to get your vote counted… the folks trying to allow a few unelected officials to wipe out the votes of entire precincts and sway the whole election.

And, thankfully, those rules have been overturned for this election. But who knows what’s coming for the next one.

So we have to stay vigilant y’all. We have to stay organized. And we have to stay engaged even after Election Day.

Because we don’t just need to protect our democracy, we need to improve it y’all.

And that’s a forever proposition.

And that’s the beautiful thing about this country — that we have always had the opportunity to make things better.

That’s been our story since our founding. A story that’s so often been written by the good people right here in Georgia.

So if we’re going to do our part, here in our time, we’ve got to stay engaged. We’ve got to hold our elected officials accountable. We’ve got to stand up and speak out and sit in when it comes to it. But most of all, we’ve got to vote in every single election at every single level.

Because these things don’t work if we don’t do them again, and again, and again. You can’t just do this once in a while.

That’s why we vote — all of us, all the time.

Because when we vote, we choose to push forward our own progress.

When we all vote, and we choose to bend the curve toward what we believe in.

When we all vote, we choose not just the trajectory of our city, our state, our country — we’re choosing the trajectory of our own power.

And I don’t know about you, but I think we have a pretty powerful crew right here in front of me. I am so impressed with you all. I am so proud of you all.

We are gonna hear from Georgia on November the 5th, aren’t we?

I want you all to stay hopeful, stay empowered, cause we always have your back. Michelle and Barack Obama, we love you all to death.

Vote early. Get all your friends to do the same. We can move our communities and our country in the direction we want them to go.

So let’s get this done, Georgia!

I love you all. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you! I love you, and you, and you.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post Michelle Obama Delivers Headline Remarks at When We All Vote Rally appeared first on When We All Vote.

Victoria Monét and D-Nice to Join When We All Vote Rally with Michelle Obama Featuring Performance from Ari Lennox

Giovanna Salucci — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:02:07 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 28, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

The When We All Vote Rally will Mobilize and Celebrate First-Time Voters Before Early Voting Ends in Georgia on November 1

Today, When We All Vote announced that Victoria Monét will speak at the When We All Vote Rally on Tuesday, October 29, in Atlanta, Georgia, which will also feature a performance from Dreamville artist Ari Lennox. When We All Vote Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama will headline the rally, and When We All Vote Ambassador DJ D-Nice will also be a part of the show.

313,406 Georgia voters cast their ballots on the first day of in-person early voting, shattering the previous record of 136,000 in 2020. The rally will mobilize voters to continue taking this energy and their voices to the ballot box.

Victoria Monét will join previously announced speakers, including When We All Vote Co-Chairs Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Rita Wilson and Liza Koshy, as well as Ambassadors Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin and Ciara and more. Content creators Kalen Allen and Lynae Vanee will co-host.

The When We All Vote Rally attendees and speakers will include the following:

Kalen Allen, When We All Vote Ambassador and Rally Co-Host
Kate Capshaw, When We All Vote Ambassador
Cari Champion, When We All Vote Ambassador
Ciara, When We All Vote Ambassador
D-Nice, When We All Vote Ambassador
EarthGang, When We All Vote Ambassador
Liza Koshy, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Ari Lennox, When We All Vote Ambassador
Marsai Martin, When We All Vote Ambassador
Victoria Monét, When We All Vote Ambassador
Nneka Ogwumike, When We All Vote Ambassador
Shonda Rhimes, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Reyna Roberts, When We All Vote Ambassador
Kelly Rowland, When We All Vote Ambassador
Patti Scialfa, When We All Vote Ambassador
Lynae Vanee, When We All Vote Ambassador and Rally Co-Host
Kerry Washington, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Lynn Whitfield, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Rita Wilson, When We All Vote Co-Chair

This rally is completely nonpartisan and not affiliated with any campaign or political party. The rally will be livestreamed, and reporters interested in attending in person on October 29 should email press@civicnation.org. A limited number of in-person press passes will be available.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post Victoria Monét and D-Nice to Join When We All Vote Rally with Michelle Obama Featuring Performance from Ari Lennox appeared first on When We All Vote.

Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin, Kerry Washington, Ciara and More To Join When We All Vote Rally

Giovanna Salucci — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 19:35:35 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

Kalen Allen and Lynae Vanee To Co-Host When We All Vote Rally Bringing Together First-Time Voters, Young People and Local Organizations

Atlanta, GA: Today, When We All Vote announced that Co-Chairs Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Rita Wilson and Liza Koshy, as well as Ambassadors Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin and Ciara, will join the When We All Vote Rally on Tuesday, October 29, in Atlanta, Georgia. When We All Vote Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama will headline the rally, and content creators Kalen Allen and Lynae Vanee will co-host together.

The rally will also feature local and national talent with performances to be announced soon, as well as Georgia leaders and local organizations. This rally is nonpartisan and is not affiliated with any candidates or campaigns.

“To change the culture of voting, you have to be in the culture. We are so excited for many of When We All Vote’s incredible Co-Chairs and Ambassadors to join us in Atlanta to celebrate first-time voters. Our vote is our voice and our power, and at this rally, we’ll show how loud our voices are as we take this momentum to the ballot box together,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

Today, When We All Vote announced the following speakers:

Kalen Allen, When We All Vote Ambassador and Rally Co-Host
Lynae Vanee, When We All Vote Ambassador and Rally Co-Host
Liza Koshy, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Marsai Martin, When We All Vote Ambassador
Shonda Rhimes, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Kelly Rowland, When We All Vote Ambassador
Ciara, When We All Vote Ambassador
Kerry Washington, When We All Vote Co-Chair
Rita Wilson, When We All Vote Co-Chair

Additional When We All Vote Co-Chairs and Ambassadors will be announced soon. Before early voting ends in Georgia on November 1, the rally will mobilize first-time voters while celebrating the organizations and partners who work year-round to ensure that Georgia voters are registered and ready to vote.

The rally will be livestreamed, and reporters interested in attending in person on October 29 should email press@civicnation.org. A limited number of in-person press passes will be available.

###

ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin, Kerry Washington, Ciara and More To Join When We All Vote Rally appeared first on When We All Vote.

NBPA Activates Its Members and the Basketball Community to Get Out and Vote Ahead of Election Day

Giovanna Salucci — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:00:02 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 21, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

‘But Did You Vote?’ capsule collection launches on theTUNL.com, in support of When We All Vote

Washington, DC: With Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 5 – rapidly approaching, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has partnered with its members, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and a number of civic engagement organizations to ensure eligible players have every opportunity to register to vote and create a voting plan; enabling players to use their vote and their platforms to inspire change and make their voices heard.

Through joint programming, like the annual Rookie Transition Program, the NBPA and the NBA have activated Voter Registration with players focusing on civic engagement and the collective duty of shaping the future of communities NBPA members live and play in.

“Voting rights haven’t always been a privilege in this country,” said C.J. McCollum, President of the NBPA. “It is critical that we never forget that and use the power of our collective platforms to influence the change we hope to see in our country. Regardless of political affiliation or stance on key issues, it’s our goal to encourage not only NBA players, but all eligible voters to turn out to the polls this November and make their voices heard.”

To celebrate members who are fully engaged in their civic duties, the NBPA joined forces with TUNL, a new interdisciplinary platform merging sports, fashion and culture. Together, they teamed up with creative director and fashion designer Desyree Nicole, to bring the “But Did You Vote?” capsule collection to life. Desyree Nicole, also a member of TUNL’s founding team, gleaned inspiration and feedback from NBPA members including Keita Bates-Diop, Kevon Looney, Jarred Vanderbilt and Peyton Watson throughout the design process.

Designed to inspire action and spark conversations around voter registration and participation, the collection is rooted in the belief that real change starts with each of us. This initiative reminds us that it’s not enough to simply talk about the issues – we must also be part of the solution. Inclusive of tees and hoodies (SRP ranging from $35-$85), the “But Did You Vote?” capsule collection is now available for purchase at www.theTUNL.com.

“All industries, including sports and fashion, have a role to play in our democracy. It’s time to ask our teammates, ‘But Did You Vote?’ and to get in the game right now. This capsule collection is the perfect example of When We All Vote’s work bringing voting to the culture. We’re proud to partner with TUNL, the Social Change Fund and the NBPA, including on this collection with Desyree Nicole, to make sure every eligible player and fan makes their voices heard and looks good at the ballot box,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

In addition to encouraging NBPA members to make their voices heard, the NBPA Foundation, Social Change Fund and TUNL will collectively donate $60,000 to When We All Vote to host four “Party at the Polls” events in Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

To register to vote, check voter registration status or make a voting plan, visit https://whenweallvote.org/.

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ABOUT NBPA:

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect, support and empower players, scale the value of their collective will and amplify their voices as leaders transcending sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, and counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the group licensing and partnership engine of the NBPA. With more than 80 active partnerships, THINK450 is dedicated to uncovering shared interests between players and leading brands to build more engaging collaborations.

The NBPA Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members by supporting and assisting people, communities and organizations worldwide. It spotlights and amplifies the global initiatives of professional basketball players, driving positive change through community building, charitable endeavors and social entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit www.nbpa.com and follow @thenbpa on social.

ABOUT When We All Vote:

Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson. When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). Learn more here.

ABOUT TUNL:

TUNL Entertainment is an interdisciplinary media and e-commerce company dedicated to amplifying athletes and exploring the creative intersection of sports, fashion, and culture. We bridge the gap between high fashion and streetwear designers globally, making exclusive fashion accessible to the everyday consumer. Our flagship event, the Annual TUNL Gala, held during New York Fashion Week, celebrates athletes’ contributions to fashion and culture, driving sales through custom capsules and e-commerce integration. Learn more here.

ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE FUND UNITED:

Social Change Fund United, founded by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, was established to create a future where underrepresented communities thrive and generate economic sustainability while playing a vital role in narrowing the racial opportunity gap. Since its launch, Social Change Fund United has supported critical and timely issues impacting underrepresented communities including championing equity in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. All donations are tax-deductible through Social Change Fund United’s 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). EIF is a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity that meets all 20 Better Business Bureau charity standards and carries the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information, visit https://www.thesocialchangefund.org.

Contact: communications@nbpa.com

The post NBPA Activates Its Members and the Basketball Community to Get Out and Vote Ahead of Election Day appeared first on When We All Vote.

Michelle Obama to Headline When We All Vote Rally Mobilizing and Energizing First-Time Voters

Giovanna Salucci — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:24:04 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

The When We All Vote Rally Will Bring Together First-Time Voters, Students and Local Organizations To Celebrate Georgia Voters Before Early Voting Ends on November 1

Today, When We All Vote announced the When We All Vote Rally on Tuesday, October 29, in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring headline speaker Michelle Obama, the national, nonpartisan voting initiative’s Founder and Co-Chair. The nonpartisan rally will feature When We All Vote Celebrity Co-Chairs and Ambassadors, local and national talent and performances, and Georgia student leaders.

First-time voters, including Atlanta-area college students and high school students from When We All Vote’s My School Votes program, will bring their energy and voices from the rally to the polls. The rally will mobilize first-time voters while celebrating the organizations and partners who work year-round to ensure that Georgia voters are registered and ready to vote.

“The election doesn’t start on Election Day — it ends on Election Day. Thanks to our Georgia partners and volunteers who continue to make sure their communities are ready to vote, Georgia voters are fired up and ready to use their voices. Mrs. Obama, our Co-Chairs and Ambassadors, and voters will all come together at this rally to celebrate Georgia. Together, we will take our momentum and energy to the ballot box and set the tone for the entire country — especially first-time voters — to vote early,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

Georgia voters are powerful and ready for this moment. In 2020, Georgia’s presidential race was decided by about 12,000 votes, and since late July, more than 40,000 new voters registered in Georgia alone, including a 76% voter registration spike for first-time voters under 30. Alongside local partners, When We All Vote celebrated National Voter Registration Day last month with the Atlanta Dream and around local Atlanta high schools with My School Votes.

The rally will be livestreamed to reach even more voters ahead of Election Day and the final days of early voting. From this rally to more than 500 Party at the Polls events in Georgia and across the country, When We All Vote turns early voting into a celebration and brings communities together to cast their ballots early. Additional events happening across the country include:

Celebrate Philadelphia Block Parties in Philadelphia, PA: Block parties at two satellite election offices featuring performances, engaging conversations, sponsor activations, giveaways and more on October 12 and 19.
Walk to the Polls in Window Rock, AZ: When We All Vote joined Protect the Sacred and Mark Ruffalo for a Walk to the Polls with Diné College on the Navajo Nation on October 12.
Dunk the Vote in Clark County, NV, and Maricopa County, AZ: When We All Vote and Hoop Bus will rally the community to Dunk the Vote and increase voter participation in the 2024 general election with community block parties and pop ups for players and volunteers.
VotaPalooza in Phoenix, AZ, and Atlanta, GA: When We All Vote and Grita Canta Vota will host Get Out The Vote Music Festivals to celebrate Latino voters through music, dance, culture and community in Phoenix, AZ, on October 17 and Atlanta, GA, on October 20.
Raleigh Rise NC in Durham, NC: Alongside RISE NC, When We All Vote will host an evening of food, entertainment and carnival fun at North Carolina State University on October 27.
Community College Events in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Grand Rapids, and Milwaukee, WI: When We All Vote and SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios will host on-campus parties at Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA, on October 21, Community College of Philadelphia, Grand Rapids Community College on October 29 and Milwaukee Area Technical College with the Milwaukee Bucks on October 31.
ONE Musicfest in Atlanta, GA: When We All Vote and Live Nation Urban will bring voters together at ONE Musicfest on October 26-27 in Atlanta’s Central Park. When We All Vote also ran a sweepstakes for voters to enter to win GA+ tickets, travel and hotel for taking action.

With voter registration deadlines and early voting happening across the country — including record-breaking early voting turnout in Georgia — When We All Vote continues its work to increase voter participation in each and every election. As the Founder and Co-Chair of the nonpartisan 501(c)(3) initiative When We All Vote, Mrs. Obama regularly uses her platform to educate, register and mobilize voters year-round. This year, When We All Vote has brought together a network of more than 450 leading national and community organizations under the Culture of Democracy Collective; hosted the Culture of Democracy Tour — a summer of action to register, educate and engage thousands of voters and volunteers; engaged sports fans across leagues, including bringing on Jayson Tatum as a Co-Chair and engaging thousands of fans during the NBA finals this year; launched the VOTE LOUD: HBCU Voter Registration Challenge; and more.

Voters around the country can and make their plan to vote at WeAll.Vote/Hub. Press interested in attending should email press@civicnation.org.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post Michelle Obama to Headline When We All Vote Rally Mobilizing and Energizing First-Time Voters appeared first on When We All Vote.

When We All Vote Makes Early Voting a Celebration With More Than 500 Party at the Polls Events This Fall

Giovanna Salucci — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:54:07 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

Voting Is Something To Celebrate With When We All Vote’s Proven Voter Engagement and Turnout Program

Washington, DC: Today, When We All Vote, Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan voting initiative, relaunched Party at the Polls, the organization’s program to turn the voting experience into a community celebration, increase turnout and reinforce the importance of voting. This year, Party at the Polls will be bigger than ever with more than 500 early voting events across the country.

All October long and into November, When We All Vote partners and volunteers will host nonpartisan celebrations near early voting locations across the country to increase voter turnout and bring their communities together to cast their ballots. With a vision of voting that is accessible, inclusive and fun, Party at the Polls turns voting into a celebration with music, food, culture and activities for voters of all ages. Every Party at the Polls is free to attend and open to everyone in the community.

“At When We All Vote, we believe that voting should be joyful and using our voices at the polls is truly something to celebrate. That’s why When We All Vote is bringing the Party to the Polls at more than 500 events to make sure our communities are celebrating their power together. The election doesn’t start on Election Day — it ends on Election Day. Through our Party at the Polls program, we encourage and celebrate early voting,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

Party at the Polls is a proven, powerful and effective method for encouraging turnout, especially among young voters and voters of color. In 2020, research found that the Party at the Polls program increased voter participation by up to 4 percentage points. Early vote events were especially effective, boosting turnout by approximately 3.5 percent, or 90 votes, per precinct. In 2022, a randomized controlled trial of 70 parties found that an additional 12,000 voters who likely would not have otherwise voted turned out to vote as a result, and this group represented a fraction of the voters who attended the more than 200 parties at the polls that year alone.

In addition to hundreds of community and volunteer-led events, flagship Party at the Polls events include:

Celebrate Philadelphia Block Parties in Philadelphia, PA: In partnership with Welcome America, When We All Vote will host a two-part block party series at two of the City of Philadelphia’s satellite election offices featuring performances, engaging conversations, sponsor activations, community tabling, giveaways and more on October 12 and 19.
Walk to the Polls in Window Rock, AZ: When We All Vote and SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios will join Protect the Sacred and Mark Ruffalo for a Walk to the Polls with Diné College on the Navajo Nation on October 12.
Community College Vote ‘24 Events in Pittsburgh, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Grand Rapids, MI, and Milwaukee, WI: When We All Vote and SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios will celebrate community college students making their voices heard this year with on-campus parties at Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA, on October 21, Community College of Philadelphia, Grand Rapids Community College on October 29 for Vote Early Day and Milwaukee Area Technical College with the Milwaukee Bucks on October 31.
VotaPalooza in Phoenix, AZ, and Atlanta, GA: When We All Vote and Grita Canta Vota will host Get Out The Vote Music Festivals to celebrate Latino voters through music, dance, culture and community in Phoenix, AZ, on October 17 and Atlanta, GA, on October 20.
Drag Out the Vote Drag Show in Phoenix, AZ, and Divas for Democracy Dance Party at the Polls in Las Vegas, NV: When We All Vote and Drag Out the Vote will present a Get Out The Vote drag show in Phoenix on October 18 with Barbra Seville and Drag Out The Vote Drag Ambassador Afrika America, and a drag show and dance party with Drag Ambassadors and local drag artists, including Drag Ambassador Plasma from RuPauls Drag Race Season 16, in Las Vegas on October 29.
Gospel Fest: Lift Every Vote in Atlanta, GA: When We All Vote and BlackPush will lift every voice at a concert featuring Zacardi Cortez on October 27.
NCCU Soar to the Polls in Durham, NC: Alongside RISE NC, When We All Vote will host an evening of food, entertainment and carnival fun on October 18.
ONE Musicfest in Atlanta, GA: When We All Vote and Live Nation Urban will bring voters together at ONE Musicfest on October 26-27 in Central Park featuring headliners Cardi B, Gunna, Jill Scott, Victoria Monét and Earth, Wind & Fire, and performances by Dru Hill, Fridayy, Destin Conrad, Fantasia, Jeremih, Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Nelly, BigXthaPlug, Young Nudy, T.I., BossMan Dlow, Method Man & Redman and more. When We All Vote is also running a sweepstakes for voters to enter to win GA+ tickets, travel and hotel for taking action.
Dunk the Vote in Clark County, NV, and Maricopa County, AZ: When We All Vote and Hoop Bus will rally the community to Dunk the Vote and increase voter participation in the 2024 general election with community block parties and pop ups for players and volunteers across Clark County, Las Vegas, and throughout Maricopa County in greater Phoenix in October.

Members of the Culture of Democracy Collective, When We All Vote’s network of more than 450 leading national and community organizations dedicated to this work, including sports, corporate and entertainment partners, will also be part of Party at the Polls, including:

Glossier will provide free Balm Dotcom at flagship events in Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Atlanta.
When We All Vote will provide rideshare codes to help voters Pull Up To The Polls through support from Universal Music Group.
Lime will provide ride codes and fleets of bikes and scooters at some events and distribute information about the free rides they’re providing across the entire country from Vote Early Day to Election Day.
Social Change Fund United and the National Basketball Players Association will sponsor multiple Party at the Polls events.
Tony’s Chocolonely will donate custom When We All Vote chocolate bars at the Celebrate Philadelphia Block Parties and provide treats at national events.
Elle Olivia will provide coloring books, stickers, bags, throws and special discounts to the Her Future collection, which is a collaboration with When We All Vote, at the Celebrate Philadelphia Block Parties.

Community partners and organizations will also host early voting parties in their communities, including:

Dozens of events led by Divine Nine fraternity and sorority chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated.
Events hosted by faith groups including AME churches and Muslim civic groups.
Events led by organizations like Detroit Disability Power, North Carolina Black Alliance, RISE, local chapters of The Links, Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America.

Voters can find a full list of Party at the Polls events in their communities or sign up to host a Party at the Polls here and check their voter registration, confirm any ID requirements and check what’s on the ballot before heading to a Party on When We All Vote’s Voter Resources Hub.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post When We All Vote Makes Early Voting a Celebration With More Than 500 Party at the Polls Events This Fall appeared first on When We All Vote.

Voters Are the Real MVPs as Fans Get Registered and Ready to Vote With Their Favorite Teams Through Rally the Vote Coalition

Giovanna Salucci — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:20:48 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Contact: press@civicnation.org

Teams From the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLS, NWSL, MLB and PWHL Join Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote and the Sacramento Kings To Call On Fans To Get in the Game and Make Their Voices Heard

Washington, DC: Today, When We All Vote, Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan voting initiative, relaunched Rally the Vote, a nonpartisan coalition of sports leagues, players unions, organizations and teams from the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLS, NWSL, MLB and PWHL uniting fans to take action by registering to vote and participating in each and every election. Initially launched by the Sacramento Kings in 2018, the coalition helps sports teams and leagues use their platforms to make sure fans take action this election.

Ahead of this critical election, more than 25 teams, leagues and unions will join Rally the Vote to step up and encourage fans to get in the game and vote. Rally the Vote teams include: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Dream, Washington Spirit, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Reign and more.

“Being there for our teams means making sure they are registered and ready to vote, and with so much at stake in this year’s elections, now is the time to get in the game. When We All Vote is meeting voters where they are by bringing their favorite teams and leagues together to show what it really means to rally the vote — because this year, voters are the real MVPs,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

Fans can take action by registering to vote, checking their voter registration and making a plan to vote. Throughout the fall, participating teams will continue to share When We All Vote’s resources to make sure their fans have a game plan for Election Day.

Athletes, teams and leagues have stepped up to encourage their fans to make their voices heard over the years, and 2024 is no different. Most recently, Jayson Tatum announced that he officially joined When We All Vote as a Co-Chair, joining fellow NBA players Stephen Curry and Chris Paul, as well as Megan Rapinoe, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe and more. When We All Vote brought voter registration to the NBA Summer League, the sold-out Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky game — including a special video message from Mrs. Obama — and more this year. NBA stars Jayson Tatum, Dereck Lively II, Jrue Holiday and Daniel Gafford shared why they are voting this year and encouraged fans to get registered to vote in a video that premiered during NBA playoffs and reached more than 715,000 viewers. When We All Vote also launched the Soccer Collective with U.S. Soccer, NWSL, NWSLPA, USL, USLPA, Black Players for Change, Black Women’s Player Collective and United Black Players of USL.

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ABOUT When We All Vote:

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

The post Voters Are the Real MVPs as Fans Get Registered and Ready to Vote With Their Favorite Teams Through Rally the Vote Coalition appeared first on When We All Vote.