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Former First Lady Michelle Obama is making a major push to reach voters before the fast approaching November 6 midterm elections.
Her signature “When We All Vote” campaign just unveiled a new homepage aimed at providing key information. It is designed to help voters find their polling locations; learn options about voting early or by mail; show which candidates will appear on their ballots; and research candidates before heading to the polls.
There’s also a new PSA featuring Mrs. Obama in which she urges Americans to vote and to vote early. “Voting is the only way to ensure that your concerns matter,” she tells audiences.
READ MORE: Black women are galvanizing the vote in the booth and on the ballot in the midterm elections
“When We All Vote” is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that was launched, say organizers, to bring together citizens, institutions, and organizations to spark a conversation about the rights and responsibilities Americans have in shaping democracy via voting.
Besides Mrs. Obama, co-chairs of the effort include Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.
Uphill Battle
The campaign hopes to combat lackluster voter participation and registration across the country.
According to a Pew 2017 study, more than 60 percent of adult citizens had never been asked to register to vote; a majority of adults also said they never had an opportunity to register. (The Pew Charitable Trusts, June 2017)
Moreover, 21.4 percent of all American citizens eligible to register to vote were not registered in 2014. And participation rates–especially in midterm elections–have historically been low. In 2014, just about a third (36.4 percent) of eligible citizens voted, the lowest participation rate in midterms since World War II. (PBS, November 2014)
“When We All Vote” has worked to show the importance of voting—be it for the school board, to the statehouse, to Congress. Last month, the campaign hosted a National Week of Action during which partners and volunteers hosted more than 2,500 events in nearly every state across the country.
Watch a recap of the Week of Action here:
