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Ithaca organizations working to increase voter turnout as early voting begins

Pabio October 30, 2024

Early voting in New York began Saturday, launching a final sprint by local organizations to increase turnout and engage voters.

New York’s 19th Congressional District is very competitive, according to Cook Political Report rating the district as a “draw” in the 2024 elections.

Faced with these high stakes, local organizations are stepping up their outreach to inform voters about key candidates and ballot measures at the local and national levels.

League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

Founded in 1920 after women gained the right to vote, the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County is a nonpartisan organization that registers and informs voters about national, state, and local elections and issues.

National VPL services VOTE411a guide that informs voters about elections taking place in their specific districts based on their home address. The guide also provides information about each candidate’s background and political position, as well as other ballot initiatives that will appear on the ballot.

Sally Grubb, co-chair and chair of the Tompkins County LWV Voter Services Committee, said it is important to be strategic in discussions with community members when conducting voter outreach.

“(When) you’re talking to people with young children, you’re talking to a different generation that has different issues than I have, for example, as a senior,” Grubb said. “They are more interested in educational issues. We must therefore approach them on this basis to say: “Are you ready to vote? Are you going to vote? Can we give you some information on what’s happening? »

Grubb emphasized the importance of individual participation, emphasizing that every vote counts.

“One vote can elect someone, and not voting means you don’t support that person or help prevent them from being elected,” Grubb said. “Withdrawing is really not the solution. »

Rejoice in the vote

Aiming to transform the vote into a joyful celebration, Rejoice in the vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Tompkins County, “honoring the history of the fight for voting rights, celebrating voting in the present, and challenging the future to strengthen democratic foundations.”

This year marks the second time Rejoice the Vote has hosted the Highest Voting County Challengeawarding a trophy to the counties with the highest voter turnout in New York. In 2020, the challenge focused on cities, with Albany winning among the largest cities and Saratoga Springs leading among the smallest. The competition has since moved to a county-based format to include all voters, not just those in urban areas. Additionally, because voter turnout is calculated at the county level, the format would simplify the calculation process.

Jeff Furman, founder of Rejoice the Vote, explained how the challenge rewards voter participation.

“We will reward one large county and one small county that gets the highest percentage of eligible voters to vote,” Furman said. “We will wait for the (voter turnout) numbers and then do the math in each of the 62 counties in New York State.”

Rejoice the Vote also celebrates youth activism through art and film to inspire voter participation. One of its national initiatives includes a art competition celebrating young voting rights advocates.

Furman highlighted how storytelling through cinema also amplifies young people’s voices.

“We made a film with local filmmakers about what young people across the country are doing,” Furman said. “(The fundraiser) went through Rejoice the Vote, and they (edited) the film. (It is) an eight-minute film called Young people in power. So it’s just about honoring young people who are working.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Greater New York

THE Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Greater New York is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building political power around Planned Parenthood’s legislative priorities and advancing reproductive rights and health care.

Ithaca community organizer Caitlin Hunter said the organization’s goal this election cycle is to educate and engage New Yorkers on Proposition 1, also known as the Provincial Amendment. equal rights.

Proposition 1 is one of six ballot measures New Yorkers will pass vote underway, alongside races for president, Senate, state legislature and Congress.

If adopted, it will be guarantee “equal protection” against discrimination based on “sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care, and autonomy,” in addition characteristics that have been protected by previous laws, such as race, ethnicity, and national origin.

Hunter urged voters to return their ballots to ensure they don’t miss these crucial ballot measures.

“We have these protections in the form of laws, but at any time, a government official could walk into the legislature or an office and remove these laws,” Hunter explained. “By passing Proposition 1, by getting New Yorkers to vote yes, we are enshrining these protections in our Constitution, ensuring that power remains in the hands of the people, not politicians.”

Hunter said Ithaca voters are often short-term residents of the city, so getting involved in the community is the most effective way to engage and educate the local electorate about their registration status and on local issues like proposition 1.

Hunter has high hopes for the passage of Proposition 1, citing the overall positive responses it received from voters and the city’s strong political engagement.

Tompkins County Democratic Committee

One week before election day, the Tompkins County Democratic Committee is intensifying its voter outreach efforts across the country through coordinated campaigns of Josh Riley in the congressional race NY-19, Lea Webb for the State Senate and Anna Kelles for the State Assembly.

Linda Hoffman, president of TCDC, said canvassing and phone and text banking are critical tools for informing registered voters and helping undecided voters make their choices.

Last week, the Tompkins County Democratic Committee knocked on 22,000 doors to make sure people had a plan for voting, according to Hoffman. During their prospecting, they provide information on Riley, Webb and Kelles and on Proposition 1.

In this final stage of the election cycle, Hoffman said the main challenge is making sure people are informed about voting locations and times.

“It is essential that every voter actually plans when they will vote. To do this, you must also check with the Tompkins County Board of Elections.”

TCDC encourages early voting and offers free transportation for Cornell students to polling locations to make voting more accessible. Students and residents can also request a ride or volunteer to be a driver by calling campaign headquarters at 607-319-0327.

Ithaca City Republican Committee and Tompkins County Republicans

Both Ithaca City Republican Committee and the Tompkins County Republicans did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding their voter engagement efforts.

How to vote

Early voting in New York runs from October 26 to November 3. Anyone registered as a Tompkins County voter who wants to vote early can do so at Ithaca City Hall at 215 N. Tioga St. or at Crash Fire Rescue at 72 Brown. Path. Hours of operation for each early voting day are listed on the Tompkins County Early Voting site. Web page.
Election Day will take place on Tuesday, November 5 and polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. A list of all polling locations is available available to the Tompkins County Board of Elections. The Robert Purcell Community Center will be the only voting location on campus.

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Ithaca organizations working to increase voter turnout as early voting begins

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