Today’s the fourth Tuesday in the month of September, which can only mean one thing—It’s National Voter Registration Day! Your Girl Scout might not be old enough to cast their own ballot this election season, but that doesn’t mean they can’t mobilize their community in other ways. Behold: Promote the Vote. One of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Service Projects, National Civic Action: Promote the Vote is an initiative to encourage Girl Scout troops to find ways to join in on the democratic process. We can all play a role in helping people exercise their right to vote—let’s find out how.
Find Out About Voting
November 3 is right around the corner, but because of COVID-19, voting this Election Day might be extra challenging for some. While in election years past, we might have simply walked into our local polling station, now many are opting to mail in their ballots instead. But with that comes some other confusion—when do I register; am I already registered; if I submitted a request for an absentee ballot for the primary, do I need to submit another one for the general election; is there a difference between an absentee and mail-in ballot? So many questions! Registration deadlines and procedures vary from state to state, so use these sites to explore voting information for your state:
Talk About Why We Vote
The late US Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis once stated, “The right to vote is the most important nonviolent tool we have in a democracy. I risked my life defending that right.” As we mark the centennial of the 19th Amendment, we also recognize that the struggle to win the right to vote was a long and arduous one. Lead your troop in a conversation about why voting matters and how they can amplify their voices at the local, state, and federal level.
Plan to Vote
Did you know that people are more likely to vote if they’ve made a plan beforehand? Encourage your girls to have conversations with their family, friends, and neighbors about their intentions to vote. They could share information that they found out through the voting resources above, including:
- How to find their polling place.
- Voting guidelines for their state. For instance, if they can vote early and how to request a mail-in/absentee ballot. (Spoiler: There’s a difference between the two!)
If you have girls in your troop who will be 18 by Election Day, you can confirm if they’ve registered to vote (or provide assistance if they haven’t yet) and how they’ll be voting come November 3. Senior and Ambassador girls who won’t be of-age by then, but are 16 or older, can still find out if they’re eligible to pre-register to vote (that means they’ll automatically be registered to vote once they turn 18).
Spread the Word
Research shows that if you persuade one person to vote, that person will likely influence at least one friend or family member to vote too! Imagine the ripple effect of that small action. There are so many ways your troop can inspire others to register and make a plan to vote:
- Write a letter or send an email (Use the handy templates provided by GSUSA)
- Post on social media
- Make a yard sign
- Call or text
- Create a video or other public service announcement
Every vote matters. When we vote, we let our elected officials know what kind of future we want for ourselves, and those we love and care about. Each election cycle isn’t just an opportunity to be part of the American political process—it’s a way to use our voices to make a lasting impact.
Lily Yu –Lily is a Program Resource Specialist at River Valleys. She earned her BA in comparative literature and Japanese from Hamilton College and has a background in publishing and advertising. Though she wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up, Lily is making up for lost time as a volunteer and troop cookie manager for her daughter’s Brownie troop. In her free time, she enjoys going for long walks, reading, and spending time with her family (And rescue dog, Neil!).