Worried about USPS? Support These Organizations in Getting out the Vote

Aug 19

Well, it’s no secret. The entire debacle going on with the post office is a deliberate sabotage to muddy the waters of the 2020 presidential election. Even in the era of mask-off politics, this was surprisingly brazen. It’s right out in the open.

As mass uproar mounts, the postmaster general has made a statement about backing off. But actions speak louder than words, and we’re not holding our breath. When you show this level of contempt for rules and norms, you can’t be trusted.

Many of us are pressuring legislators and organizing locally, which is a great step. It’s necessary—but is primarily a means of mitigating yet another new form of voter suppression. It doesn’t fight on other voter suppression fronts, nor does it extend the franchise. There’s a lot of work to be done in a country with such low voter turnout. So, what else can people do?

One option is to support organizations that are doing good work in the field of voting rights and participation. These organizations provide resources throughout the election season to help voters register, obtain identification, check their status, request ballots, fight against voter suppression, and mobilize before and on election day. Below are a selection of organizations we found noteworthy in this space. Go ahead and check them out, sign up for their updates, and consider supporting them financially if you have the means.

The Voter Participation Center

The Voter Participation Center has registered an impressive 4 million voters since 2003. They conduct outreach campaigns focused on people who are eligible but unregistered to vote. They also provide resources for people to register, check their registration status, and find out how to vote in their state. Recent efforts have pushed to support a “rising American electorate” of young people, communities of color, and unmarried women.

When We All Vote

When We All Vote hosts voter registration events (including virtual) and provides voting resources and information on voter registration, voting rights, and voting plans. Launched by Michelle Obama ahead of the 2018 mid-terms, the organization boasts additional star-power from co-chairs such as Tom Hanks, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Megan Rapinoe.

Spread the Vote

Spread the Vote assists eligible voters with obtaining IDs in states with voter ID laws. Most states carry some form of voter ID law, placing additional burden on voters that often excludes them from participating — particularly affecting vulnerable and minority populations. Spread the Vote works to extend the franchise in some of the most voting-restrictive states, including swing states such as Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin and others.

Fair Fight

Fair Fight, founded by Stacey Abrams in 2018, combats voter suppression through legal advocacy and its network of grassroots community organizers. The organization largely focuses on the state of Georgia, where Abrams served as a politician for more than a decade and most recently had a contentious race for governor in which her opponent Brian Kemp was accused of suppressing the vote through his then-position as Secretary of State.

League of Women Voters

LWV fights against anti-democratic structural issues such as voter suppression, unlimited SuperPACs, and gerrymandering. Founded by leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, the organization boasts a 100-year history of extending the franchise.