NASW’s 2024 Election and Voter Mobilization Information Center

National Voting Rights and Voter Engagement Coalitions

To a considerable extent, every national election has been consequential as far as communities of color and other marginalized American. For that reason, the struggle to gain full voting rights and to sustain those rights through voting protection activism has been led by social justice and civil rights coalitions. The coalition model for advancing voting rights demonstrated its effectiveness during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. As a result, today we find many voting rights organizations that work both independently and within a coalition model to advance and protect voting rights. These coalitions are well positioned to deal with the challenges — propagated by the far-right— of the 2024 elections. The following is a list of some of the well-organized and effective national voting rights coalitions that have mobilized to confront the challenges.

• Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) – CTAN’s mission is to defend and support children in the United States in mixed-status immigrant families. CTAN works in support of all children of immigrants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, language, ability, income, or nationality. In so doing, CTAN is a strong advocate for voting participation of eligible voters within mixed-status families. CTAN recognizes the importance of mobilizing mixed status families to become involved in the voting process in the United States.
• Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD)- DFAD is committed to passing national standards, including the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood, to transform our political system and move our country closer to realizing the true promise of democracy. DFAD seeks to ensure the freedom to vote is a fundamental American right and that the people -- regardless of our color, our background, or our zip code - hold the power, not the wealthy and corporations.
• National Action Network (NAN) - NAN works to ensure that every vote in every community across the nation is counted. NAN has long been in the fight against voter suppression and voter ID laws.
• Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR) -Voting Rights Taskforce – LCCHR’s goals with respect to voting rights and voter participation is to modernize elections where all of our voices are heard. LCCHR works with over 200 coalition partners to inform the public, decision-makers, and the media about barriers to voting and advocate for policies that expand the right to vote, especially in communities of color.
• Native American Voting Rights Project - The Native American Rights Fund’s mission is to hold governments accountable — including in the area of protecting the voting rights and access to voting for Native People.
• NAACP-From its inception at the beginning of the 20^th Century, NAACP has led the nation in the fight for voting rights for African Americans and all American. NAACP pledges to continue to meet with to mobilize and apply advocacy pressure until democracy is secured for all Americans.
• National Voting in Prisons is a national coalition working to advance guaranteed voting rights for justice-involved Americans, including those currently and formerly incarcerated or impacted by the criminal legal system. National Voting in Prisons believes a national coalition is urgently needed to provide coordination, policy support, messaging, and other resources to state advocates, organizers, and policymakers working to adopt voting rights reforms in states across the country.
• Reentry Working Group (RWG) -RWG is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 organizations focused on federal reentry policy and advocacy to secure funding and implementation of effective reentry programs; to eliminate the harmful impact of collateral consequences of conviction; and to reduce stigmatization of and discrimination against people with criminal legal histories.
• Voto Latino – Voto Latino is one of the nation’s leading voter engagement and voter mobilization organizations. Its message is that it is critically important that Latinos make every effort to vote — and that Latinos must show up to the polls, demand that our vote is counted, and keep our legislators accountable.
• Vot-ER develops nonpartisan civic engagement tools and programs for every corner of the healthcare system—from private practitioners to medical schools to hospitals.
  Our work is driven by a community of health care professionals, organizers, clinical students, and technologists united by a common vision: healthy communities powered by inclusive democracy. Vot-ER programs are in over 500 hospitals and clinics and helped tens of thousands of Americans register and prepare to vote.
• Voting Rights Alliance- The Voting Rights Alliance is a growing non-partisan network of organizations, activists, and legislators working to restore and protect voting rights from concerted attacks that undermine our access to the polls, and to have our votes fairly counted.

NASW’s Voting Rights and Voter Participation Organizations and Partners

National voter mobilization and voter engagement coalitions aim to increase voter turnout and ensure that all eligible citizens participate in the democratic process. Some of the main objectives and philosophies of these coalitions— to which NASW adheres— include Inclusivity, Nonpartisanship, Empowerment, Social Justice, and Community Building. The following organizations and coalitions are representative of diverse groups committed to preserving democracy and free access to voting.

• Brennen Center for Justice – Is an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization, that conducts rigorous research to identify problems and provide in-depth empirical findings and compelling analyses of pressing legal and policy issues.
• Coalition for Human Needs - is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies which address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people
• Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights - The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963. The Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
• League of Women Voters-The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.
• Legal Defense Fund (LDF)The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Using the power of law, narrative, research, and people, LDF defends and advances the full dignity and citizenship of Black people in America.
• National Council of Jewish Women -National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. NCJW has a long history of voter mobilization and voting rights activism.
• Nonprofit Vote - Is the leading provider of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services
• National Voter Registration Day - National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic “holiday” dedicated to celebrating our democracy. Since its inception National Voter Registration Day and its team of thousands of Partners have worked to get over 5 million Americans registered to vote in time for their next trip to the ballot box.
• NextGen-America - NextGen America is the nation’s largest youth voter organization, mobilizing millions of young people each year to support progressive candidates and causes. Next-Gen is a multi-issue and multi-racial organization. They have registered over 1.5 million young people to vote.
• Rock-The-Vote- In 1990, music executives founded Rock the Vote in response to the censorship of hip-hop and rap artists. For over thirty years, Rock the Vote has continuously adapted to the changing landscapes of media, technology and culture to breakthrough and empower each new generation.
• Vot-ER -Vot-ER is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to integrate civic engagement into healthcare.
• Voto Latino - As stated by Voto Latino, its mission is to “shepherd the Latinx community towards full realization of its political power”
• Young Invincibles- Young Invincibles’ mission is to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process and expand economic opportunity for our generation.

Current Voting Rights Legislation

There are two current Congressional voter rights and voting protection bills — which NASW supports — reflect ongoing efforts to address various challenges in the voting process and ensure that all eligible citizens can participate in elections. These bills are:

1. John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4): Named after the late civil rights leader, this bill seeks to restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, particularly those that were weakened by the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder.
2. Freedom to Vote Act : This bill includes provisions to make voting more accessible, protect election integrity, and reduce the influence of dark money in politics.
3. Democracy Restoration Act - The Democracy Restoration Act is federal legislation introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin to restore voting rights upon release from prison.

Opportunities for Social Workers to get Involved

NASW and the social work profession have a long history of activism on voting rights and voting participation — most notably during the 1960 Civil Rights Movement. In many ways, the 2024 election is comparable to a national urgency as 60 years ago when the Voting Rights Act was passed. Social workers were well represented in voting rights activism then, and it is likely that many of today’s social workers are looking for opportunities to become involved with voting mobilization and engagement in the coming elections.

The following are some of the nation’s voting rights and voting mobilization organizations and coalitions that seek volunteers to support their effort:

• And Still I Vote - The And Still I Vote campaign works in strategic partnership with state organizations to mobilize voters to be the change they want to see. They provide resources to organizations to help them to ensure a multiracial democracy. And Still I Vote trains the next generation of voting rights activists to change the narrative to ensure our democracy works for all. target 11 states which are: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Mississippi.
• Movement Voter Project: This organization focuses on empowering marginalized communities, including youth, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant voters. Movement Voter Project has a comprehensive plan for voter registration and mobilization throughout the year.
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Is involved in grassroots voter education and mobilization. Volunteering at LDF and State Voices network can be an excellent way to get involved
• Rock the Vote: This young adult-oriented voter mobilization organization challenges young voters to fully participate in the voting process. Rock the Vote focuses onresearch-driven programs and innovative solutions to right the system and ensure each youth generation is represented in our democracy.Top of FormBottom of Form
• Tides Foundation: Tides is committing $200 million to support voter engagement and mobilization efforts, particularly among communities of color, young people, and under-resourced communities. Tides Foundation is partnering with various organizations to lower barriers to voting and protect democratic rights.
• Voting Rights Alliance - Is a growing non-partisan network of organizations, activists, and legislators working to restore and protect voting rights from concerted attacks that undermine our access to the polls, and to have our votes fairly counted.

NASW’s Voting Mobilization Partnership with Vot-ER

As can be seen from the above list of many organizations that are committed to energizing their constituents to get out the vote for 2024, voting mobilization and engagement are the foundations for ensuring that Project 2025 does not come to fruition, With that in mind, NASW — while willing to partner with most on the list— want to highlight our voter mobilization partnership with Vot-ER.

NASW’s partnership with Vot-ER has much to do with Vot-ER’s membership which is comprised of health care and social service professionals, and their mission.

“Vot-ER: Where healthcare meets democracy Healthcare professionals dedicate their careers to improving the health of their patients, yet 80% of health outcomes are determined beyond clinical walls. Vot-ER is bridging this gap in care with a groundbreaking prescription: civic engagement. By integrating nonpartisan civic engagement into healthcare settings, we empower patients and providers to alleviate the underlying factors of health disparities. Together, we are not just treating symptoms – we are tackling root causes of public health outcomes and fostering a healthier, more equitable society.” —— Vot-ER-

Vot-ER has effectively advanced ideals of civil engagement in the form of voting participation within the medical and social services community. NASW’s collaborative partnership with this coalition will hopefully expand the reach of its voting mobilization for the 2024 election.

Project 2025: Its Intersection with 2024 Election

By now, many of us have at least a general knowledge of Project 2025 — with a growing number of social workers having an in-depth understanding of this highly ominous far-right doctrine. Though this document is not voting rights/voter participation focused, its implementation is absolutely dependent on the outcomes of the 2024 election.

In addition, While Project 2025 covers almost every area of policies, laws and regulations, social workers should pay close attention to its potential impact on low-income and vulnerable individuals .For example, the Project 2025 blueprint includes significant policy and funding changes to entitlement and social safety net programs that have been in place for decades. They include:

• Medicaid: One of the most concerning proposals in Project 2025 is the call for lifetime caps on Medicaid benefits. This means that individuals could lose their Medicaid coverage after a certain period — regardless of their financial situation. All of which could result in many low-income individuals losing access to critically needed health and behavioral health services.
• Medicare: The project recommends major changes to Medicare by essentially privatizing the program. Such a shift could possibly increase out-of-pocket costs for low-income seniors and those with disabilities.
• Tax System: The Project, once implemented, would make changes to the tax system that could disproportionately affect low-income individuals. By eliminating the current system of multiple tax brackets, which helps lower-income Americans pay a smaller share of their income in federal taxes, the new system.
• Environmental Protections: The Project 2025 recommended elimination of key environmental protectionsis likely to disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities — which are often more exposed to environmental hazards and pollution.
• Project 2025 includes measures to increase policing and incarceration, reduce funding for community-based alternatives, and eliminate initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism in the justice system, which would lead to higher incarceration rates and further entrench racial inequalities.
• In addition to negatively impacting safety-net and entitlement programs, Project 2025 is committed to eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and government departments. The project also seeks to dismantle the Department of Education and defunding public education in favor of private and charter schools.

Pointing out the intersection of Project 2025 with the 2024 elections is not only to alert social workers about its [Project 2025] significance to the election process, but also the serious implications for governance and democracy after the election— should former President Trump be elected.

Calls to Action/Announcements from Our Partners

National Voter Registration Day - The National Voter Registration Day is presenting a webinar on changes in voting laws on a state-by-state basis. Please feel free to join this important webinar.

Hear ye hear ye! *gavel slamming* Calling this session of civic champions to order…

As you’ve been gearing up for your fabulous National Voter Registration Day events, it can’t have escaped your notice that, as far as voting laws are concerned, a few things have changed since 2020. Big time, in some places.

If you've got to think that these changes are the kind you'll need to take into account for your NVRD event, you'd be right! But take it easy; your friends here at NVRD and Fair Elections Center have got you covered. We’ll tell you all about those new voting laws, and share with you our handy state-by-state voter registration guides (hot off the presses), in our upcoming webinar with Fair Elections Center: “Law(s) of the Land: Voter Registration & State Guides” on August 28 at 2pm ET.