|
|
|
Let’s Get Out the Vote!
Suggested Program Activities & Resourcesfor Voter Registration & Getting Out the Vote
Click here to download: * This Document of Suggested Activities and Resources
* Flyer for Early Childhood Professionals
* Get Out The Vote - You Can Make A Difference
* Calendar
1. Register voters. Encourage your staff and parents to register by October 10, 2006. Remind them that every vote counts. Keep voter registration forms in easily accessible common areas, have staff members distribute them to parents and/or designate a “VOTER REGISTRATION DAY” in your program. (Keep a stack of voter registration forms handy all the time; voter registration can be a year round process.)
2. Educate yourself about what the candidates say about education/early education on their websites. Go to: www.paQUEST.org for a compilation of that information. Invite others to be educated voters.
3. Ask candidate questions. Get questions about early childhood education into the public discourse. Send QUEST’s questions** to your local League of Women Voters. Attend a candidate forum and ask a question, or send a question with someone else.
4. Talk with staff and colleagues about the importance of voting and ways to participate in the political process.
5. Create a buzz about the elections. Send reminder emails to colleagues…add a G.O.T.V. tagline. Place flyers around the program publicizing Election Day and voting hours. Challenge parents and staff to each get five additional people to the polls; keep a public tally of committed voters.
6. Involve the children. Offer 4 and 5 year olds the opportunity to have a mock election/vote for something of interest to them (i.e. snack food or a special activity) a few weeks before the election. Then encourage parents to take their preschoolers with them as they vote. Children will see that we all have a voice!
7. Wear a sticker the day before the election encouraging people to vote. Use messages such as: “I’m voting on Nov. 7, 2006! Are you?” or “Kids can’t VOTE, but YOU can! Vote on Nov. 7th”. DOWNLOAD STICKERS
8. Send a goodie bag home with children on October 27, with information for parents about the election, including the QUEST web site and your program’s plans for extended coverage that day.
9. Provide flexible hours on Election Day to make it easier for parents and staff to vote before or after work.
10. The one we missed – just let us know what you feel it should be!
**Candidate Questions: 1. What are your specific federal (for congressional candidates) or state (for PA candidates) proposals for child care, Head Start, and other early care and education programs serving children from birth to kindergarten?
2. The field of early childhood education has a very underpaid workforce and high staff turnover rates, which undermines programs' ability to provide high quality experiences for young children. How would you address this problem at the federal (for congressional candidates) or state (for PA candidates)
Resources: q Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, at www.pa.lwv.org/voting/vote for the 2006 PA Voters Guide, FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), Voter Registration, websites, Election Calendars, etc. q NAEYC’s “Guide to Nonpartisan Voter Registration & G.O.T.V. Drives”, at www.naeyc.org/policy/toolbox.asp for more ideas on flyers, stickers, buttons and resources. q Project Vote Smart, at www.vote-smart.org, for more information on candidates by districts. Click on “Current Candidates” at top and select either “US Congress” or “State Officials”. q QUEST: Gerri (215.368.3435 or gerri@dvaeyc.org) or Pamela (215.963.0094 or pamela@dvaeyc.org).
QUEST does not support or oppose any candidates for public office, and QUEST’s voter registration services are available without regard to the voter’s political preference. Information and other assistance regarding registering or voting, including transportation and other services offered, shall not be withheld or refused on the basis of support for or opposition to particular candidates or a particular party.
QUEST 100 North 17th Street, 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.963.0094 Fax: 215.963.0805 mail@paquest.org www.paquest.org |
