GALEO Joins Other Civic Engagement Groups promoting “National Voter Registration Day”
Your Right to Vote is Precious. We Can Build a Stronger Georgia, One Vote at a Time
Press Release
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2014
Contact:
Becca Guerra, ProGeorgia, 352-514-4081, RGuerra@progeorgia.org
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, GALEO, 404.745.2580, jerry@2014old.galeo.org
Non-Profit Civic Engagement Organizations Team Up for ‘National Voter Registration Day’ Your Right to Vote is Precious. We Can Build a Stronger Georgia, One Vote at a Time
Civic engagement groups to ensure state’s voters ready for upcoming elections at GA Capitol rally on National Voter Registration Day
ATLANTA — On September 23, 2014 National Voter Registration Day, hundreds of metro Atlanta residents will join with leading civic engagement non-profits working around the state to register voters for the upcoming election on November 4th, 2014.
A press conference at the Georgia State Capitol will kick off the day at 10:00 a.m. in the Rotunda. At this event, community leaders will highlight the importance of registering to vote and of voting. They will also address the continuing impact of the Supreme Court decision regarding the Voting Rights Act in Georgia, remind voters how voting empowers citizens to influence decisions regarding the issues most impacting their communities, and call for a day of action to register voters across Metro Atlanta.
State and local elections are critical-over 1,500 political races and ballot initiatives will be decided in local elections across the country this Election Day, November 4, 2014. Races up and down the ballot are crucial to our communities. At a time when many Georgia voters are concerned with the issues impacting their community, this is an opportunity for them to make a difference through their vote.
This year, we want to make sure every eligible Georgia voter votes, and that every vote cast is counted.
WHO: 9to5Atlanta; AFL-CIO (Georgia); Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC); Coalition for the People’s Agenda; Feminist Women’s Health Center; Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO); Georgia Conservation Voters; Georgia Equality; Georgia Justice Project; Georgia Stand UP!; Georgia Women’s Action for New Directions (Georgia WAND); the Georgia NAACP; National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) Atlanta Chapter; Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE); Planned Parenthood Southeast; SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW; and eligible voters.
WHAT: Press conference to kick off National Voter Registration Day. Community leaders will speak to the importance of voting and call on voters to make an impact on their communities by voting.
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Georgia State Capitol South Wing (inside).
Quotes from Partner Organizations:
“The Latino vote continues to grow and can certainly have an impact on competitive statewide races. Latino voters must be respected by all political parties and should not be taken for granted.” – Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO).
“The right to vote is sacred. It was sanctified by the sacrifice of blood, sweat and tears of those labored before us. In this Post-Shelby South, the NAACP will mortgage every single asset to ensure that the unfettered access to ballot, our inheritance, is not stolen. We will continue to fight against attacks on voter participation, a naked attempt by conservative extremists to suppress the voice of the women, people of color, and the average working Georgian. We will not be silenced!?” – Dr. Francys Johnson, President of the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP
“Voting is the Bedrock of our Democracy. Every American should be registered and must vote.” – Charlie Fleming, President, Georgia AFL-CIO
“By investing in voter registration, voter education, and voter mobilization efforts, we are building toward true democracy for all Georgians. We must defend the basic building block in protecting Georgia’s families–and that’s the right to vote. Corporate control of our legislative process and the increasing wealth gap is causing more and more concern, and people are starting to awaken and utilize the power of their vote. It’s exciting to be working across differences with many organizations throughout the state–we are stronger together.” – Becky Rafter, Executive Director of Georgia Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)
“In light of all the recent changes and proposed changes that have impacted our voting rights, it’s imperative that those who are eligible to register to vote do so today. We need to defend the vote by registering!” – Helen Butler, Executive Director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda
“A voter registration card should be issued when you get a social security card. The right to register to vote should not be in question in 2014. Civil rights, human rights and voting rights should be as American as apple pie. We should all have a big slice. It is up to this generation to ensure that we all fulfill the promise of “We the people…” Let’s register our families, friends, neighbors and community. It’s up to us to “Stand-Up & Vote!” – Deborah Scott, Executive Director, of Georgia Strategic Alliance for New Directions and Unified Policies (Georgia STAND-UP).
“Women voters make up over half the electorate in Georgia. On November 4th, we have the power to elect leaders who won’t interfere in the personal, private medical decisions of women; leaders who will restore recent cuts to women’s health care. When women vote, women win.” – Staci Fox, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeast.
“Voting fair-minded people into office is a top priority for the estimated 300,000 gay and transgender Georgians who can still be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes and denied access to services just because of who they are and who they love. Getting people registered, especially those younger voters who are such strong supporters of equality, is some of the most important work we can engage in if we hope to see a future where we are treated fairly in schools and in the work place.” – Jeff Graham, Executive Director, Georgia Equality.
“Asian Americans are the fastest growing immigrant group and electorate in our country. AALAC believes raising the political voice of underrepresented groups builds power for the common good and benefits everyone in our state. Our campaign slogan “This American Votes” is a reminder that US citizens are of all races and ethnicities, and patriots whether they were born here or abroad. On National Voter Registration Day we will be unveiling a special billboard in the heart of Duluth showcasing the faces of the largest Asian population in Gwinnett County – Korean Americans — as one way to celebrate the growing diversity in our state.” – Helen Ho, Executive Director, Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC) of Georgia.
“Low wage workers are often made invisible by those they work for and society at large. Exercising the right to vote, along with registering other people who may also feel invisible for a plethora of reasons, is of the utmost priority for our Chapter. Domestic workers – nannies, housekeepers and homecare workers – know that voting is key to building a more just democracy.” – Tamieka Atkins, Atlanta Chapter Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance.
“We believe in the power of women’s voices, how vitally important it is for all to have a “say” in the issues that affect their lives, families and communities. Registering people to vote is a crucial step to further empower the people we serve and to bring their voices into the democratic process and the decisions made every day by our elected officials. Celebrate the power of your voice by registering to vote today!” – Janelle Yamarick, Executive Director, Feminist Women’s Health Center (Atlanta).
“Voting is a sacred right that must be exercised by all to ensure the hopes and dreams of the stakeholder are made real through public policy. We must stand apart as committed individuals in the ballot box to ensure the collective goals of justice and inclusion are realized for all.” – Nathaniel Smith, Founder and Chief Equity Office (CEqO)/CEO, Partnership for Southern Equity.
“9to5 Atlanta remains committed to registering and turning out voters because we know elected officials on the state level will have the opportunity to vote on issues that deeply impact the lives of working women across the state of Georgia. Legislators will be able to pass legislation like the Family Care Act, a bill that will protect workers from being fired if they need to take time off to provide care for a child, spouse or parent. We want to make sure Georgia is electing legislators that do not make workers choose between the job they need and caring for the family they love.” – Charmaine Davis, Chapter Director, 9to5 Atlanta.
“SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW is excited to celebrate National Voter Registration Day! We want to ensure that all Georgians have access to healthcare and can fulfill their civic duties by voting in the upcoming midterm elections. Voting is a public way of saying, “Our families count, and our lives matter!” – Malika Redmond, Executive Director, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW.
“America is a great nation because we fought the battle for the right to vote and WE WON! We must now all join together to maintain that right! The election on November 4th is so important to your life – your job, your education, your health and your pocketbook! Make sure your register before October 6th so that you can join with your family, friends, neighbors and the millions across this country who vote. Your vote will make a difference! Register, get informed and then VOTE!” – Elizabeth Poythress, President, League of Women Voters of Georgia.
Civic Engagement Organizations will hold Voter Registration Drives around Metro Atlanta in celebration of National Voter Registration Day on September 23:
Coalition for the People’s Agenda will host a Voter Registration Drive with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. from 10 am-2 pm at Greenbriar Mall located at 2841 Greenbriar Parkway SW Atlanta, GA 30331.
Georgia Stand-Up will host a Voter Registration Drive from 10am to 6pm at the Food Depot located at 6642 Highway 85, Riverdale, Georgia 30274.
Georgia Stand-Up will host a Drive-Thru Voter Registration Drive event from 10am to 7pm at their Riverdale office located at 6483 GA Hwy 85, Riverdale, Georgia 30274.
Coalition for the People’s Agenda will host a Voter Registration Drive at the Somali American Community Center located at 436 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021, starting at 12 pm.
Planned Parenthood Southeast will be on the campuses of Spelman, Clark Atlanta and Morehouse from 12pm to 2pm registering to vote students of the AUC.
9to5 Atlanta Chapter will be conducting Voter Registration at the West End Mall from 12pm to 2pm.
The Feminist Women’s Health Center will be conducting Voter Registration at Agnes Scott from 1pm to 3pm partnering with their chapter of URGE.
Coalition for the People’s Agenda will host Voter Registration Drives at various MARTA Stations including:
Indian Creek Marta Station: 3901 Durham Park Rd. Stone Mountain, Georgia 30080
Bankhead Marta Station: 1333 Donald Hollowell Pkwy Atlanta, Georgia 30318
North Springs Marta Station: 7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328
College Park Marta Station: 3800 Main Street Atlanta, Georgia 30337
GALEO will be participating in a Voter Registration Drive at Georgia Gwinnett College from 10am to 1:30pm in the Student Center’s 2nd Floor Lounge. There will also be voter registration efforts at Gwinnett Technical College, other retail locations and promoting online voter registration at the website, www.GALEO.org.
Georgia NAACP and the Gwinnett County Branch NAACP have partnered with the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter? of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to participate in National Voter Registration Day targeting Millennials/First Time Voters/18-29 demographic by hosting voter registration drives at Gwinnett High School and College campuses, with 9 schools across Gwinnett County committed. The time frames across the locations range from 10:00am-2:00pm.
Georgia WAND and SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW are partnering to conduct Voter Registration at the Hamilton E Holmes MARTA station from 2pm to 6pm.
Georgia Conference of the NAACP will be hosting voter registration drives across the state through our 118 units. Contact local unit for more information or call 404.577.8977.
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About Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
GALEO’s mission is to increase civic engagement and leadership of the Latino/Hispanic community across Georgia.
CORE BELIEFS: Inclusive, Non-Partisan, Diversity, Responsive
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