Friends of DeSoto for Democracy

The November 3rd election is a critical moment in our history to make our voices and our values heard across the country. We know Friends of DeSoto care about a belief in science, a coherent pandemic response, and equal rights for all. If you’re eligible to vote, we’re here to encourage you to make a plan and do so safely and securely whether you will be voting early, voting by mail, or voting in-person.

Here’s an easy four-step plan for how to help. Participate in as many of these as you can, because the future depends on it!

First: Go to vote.org and make sure you’re registered to vote. Once you’re registered, please research the candidates in your local area by checking out voting guides from trusted sources. Make sure to vote all the way down the ballot too–local elections can change the course of history too! 

Second: Vote! Make a plan for how you’re going to vote safely and securely. If your state allows it, consider early vote in person so you can vote safety on your own schedule. If you vote by mail, make sure that you request and return your ballot in with plenty of time given the challenges the post office is facing. Even better, plan to drop off your ballot at an approved location if that’s available in your state. Rules on when mail-in ballots have to be received vary by state, so you can’t just drop it in the mail on election day. Finally, if you have to vote on election day, be prepared for it to take longer than usual and plan accordingly. Election officials are doing their best to make election day as safe as possible but the best thing you can do to make their jobs easier and safer is to vote early if you can to ease their challenge on election day.

Third: Volunteer for a campaign by or an organization-making phone calls or sending text messages. If every viewer could make just three calls or texts a day between now and the election, we could have a huge impact in key swing states!

And Fourth: Donate to this fund! Your donation is split between organizations that are registering voters in swing states, and making sure as many people as possible have access to the ballot. These are well-vetted organizations that are doing the work on the ground to get voters to the polls.

That's it. Those are the steps. Check your registration, make a plan for how you are going to safely vote, vote, and then help others vote. We’re all in this together, and if we band together right now, we can make a big difference.

Some more information about the organizations we're supporting:

People for Government: Vote From Home 2020

Working to make the 2020 elections safe and accessible with their unique direct impact model. With a $25 donation, Vote from Home 2020 is able to send applications to 20 voters. By working directly with a Union printer, they’re able to keep costs down and reach more voters.

Super States 2020

Swing Left's initiative to flip the Senate, defend the House, win the state-level races needed to ensure fair maps in the 2021 redistricting—and, of course, take back the Presidency.

The Alliance for Youth Action

The Alliance for Youth Action grows progressive people power across America by empowering local young people’s organizations to strengthen our democracy, fix our economy, and correct injustices through on-the-ground organizing.

Voto Latino

Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs and authentic voices, they are halfway to their goal of registering 500,000 new Latinx Voters.

Black Voters Matter

Black Voters Matter goal is to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. Effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny. They agree with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

Fair Fight

Stacey Abrams started Fair Fight to promote fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourage voter participation in elections, and educate voters about elections and their voting rights. Fair Fight brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in other voter education programs and communications.

Indivisible

A grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.