The new voting laws cut Early Voting by one week, removed out-of-precinct voting on election day, and require people to bring a specific type of ID to the polls.  Many of the rules are pending Federal Court decision, generating mass confusion in the community on what is and is not required. This is why it is critical to have volunteers out in our communities getting everyone educated and registered so they can successfully cast their ballot this year.

This is where the YOU CAN VOTE campaign comes in. You Can Vote is a grassroots, nonpartisan, volunteer coalition here in the Triangle area. We register people so they CAN vote. We make sure citizens know how to navigate the ID requirements so they CAN vote. We help  voters go to the right polling place so they CAN vote. We help people VOTE BY MAIL so they don’t have to worry about going to the right polling place or having to show photo ID.

A lot of people feel overwhelmed and defeated by the new law. We believe it is our civic duty to find these citizens and to help them participate in our democracy. The more people who participate, the better leaders we will elect. But we need your help.

We can train you or your constituencies to help us find those who will need information on how to successfully vote in 2016.  If you want to help with this effort, please sign up on our website, YOUCANVOTE.ORG.

 

— Barbara Middleton-Foushee