Getting Out the Vote for Our Climate Future
Across the country, many Americans care deeply about protecting our climate, public lands, clean air, and water. Yet millions of environmentally concerned citizens do not vote regularly.
Increasing voter participation is one of the most effective ways to ensure that environmental priorities are considered in public policy.
SSAFE encourages members and residents of senior living communities to participate in our democracy and to support efforts that strengthen voter turnout. The organizations below provide nonpartisan ways to help more citizens vote and to ensure environmental issues remain part of the public conversation.
Resources to Encourage Voter Participation
The Environmental Voter Project
The Environmental Voter Project identifies citizens who care about environmental issues but do not vote consistently. Using research and voter data, the organization encourages these individuals to participate in elections. Much of this outreach happens through volunteer phone banking and direct voter contact, which have proven effective at increasing turnout. By helping more environmentally concerned citizens vote, the Environmental Voter Project works to strengthen support for policies that protect our climate, public health, and natural resources. Sign up to help at: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/
Center for Common Ground
Center for Common Ground works to increase voter participation through nonpartisan outreach, particularly in communities where voter turnout has historically been lower. One of their primary activities is organizing large-scale postcard campaigns in which volunteers write friendly, nonpartisan reminders encouraging people to vote. For many volunteers, postcard writing is an accessible and meaningful way to support civic participation and help more citizens take part in elections. Sign up, order postcards, and pick up your voter lists here: https://www.centerforcommonground.org/
Resources for Individual Voters
Vote.org
Vote.org is a widely used nonpartisan resource that helps individuals register to vote, check their registration status, request absentee or mail ballots, and find polling locations. The site also provides clear information about voting deadlines and election procedures in every state. At the top of the Vote.org website you will also find an important voter protection resource: “You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).” Learn more at: https://www.vote.org/
Vote411 (League of Women Voters)
Vote411 is the League of Women Voters’ comprehensive online voter guide. It allows voters to find personalized information about candidates, ballot measures, and voting procedures based on their address. Vote411 also provides tools to help voters prepare for Election Day and offers voter assistance resources, including information about election protection hotlines that can be contacted if issues arise at polling locations. Vote411 offers voting hotlines in several languages: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Call or text1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683) (Asian multilingual assistance)1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)
Learn more at: https://www.vote411.org/
How SSAFE Members Can Help
- Support organizations that work to increase voter participation
- Write postcards or make phone calls to encourage environmentally concerned citizens to vote
- Share trusted resources that help residents check voter registration, locate polling places, or report polling place issues
- Encouraging respectful conversations about climate, environmental stewardship, and the importance of participating in our democracy
A healthy democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. By helping more people participate in elections, we strengthen the collective ability to address climate change and protect the environment for future generations.
