Expand, and Protect, The Vote.
Less that 7 weeks are left before one of the most important elections of our times, and it’s a dead heat. Wow. Usually by this time, there is a clear front-runner and the other candidate is trying to hard to catch up. But however the next number of weeks turns out, the one thing progressives should care most about is turnout. Regardless of the outcome, whoever wins will not prevail in a courtroom (God forbid), but they will preside over a fractured polity. America is as divided as it has ever been on any number of measures – culturally, racially, economically, and any other measure you might choose to employ.
Governing a divided country is not easy, nor has it ever been. If one can at least look back and note that more people voted than at other times – both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of qualified voters – the task will be somewhat easier. If one can also say that votes were counted without controversy, even better.
So what can we do?
This week, we are reaching out to any and all who share this view to support the Tides Voter Action Fund, our election protection initiative that support non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organizations working to increase both turnout and election integrity. We feel this is important and we hope you will join us.
Tides has always encouraged our donors to support efforts to increase civic participation among low income communities, young people, single women, immigrants, and communities of color. Already in 2008, the Tides Voter Action Fund has granted more than $3.5 million toward these efforts.
If you are interested, please contact me or anyone at Tides and we will direct you on how you can help. There are some fantastic organizations out there which are working tirelessly on these issues. You can get more specific information about the strategy and the grantees of the Tides Voter Action Fund here at TidesFoundation.org.