Why We’re Putting Our Agency Behind Voter Turnout Initiatives

As an agency, we believe we have a unique opportunity to put our voices, skillsets and resources behind initiatives that work towards the common good—and voter turnout and access is one of those issues.

We’re by no means experts in the field—and that’s ok! What we can do is offer support to the experts, those who have been on the ground doing this important work, day after day. After all, we’re storytellers, aren’t we? We do this work because we need to to practice what we preach and live up to our agency credo of Do the Right Thing. And if making sure that every voter, regardless of party, has the information and tools they need to make their voice heard is political...then hell yeah, we’re getting political.

Why voting?

43% of eligible voters did not cast a vote in the 2016 presidential election. Let that sink in.

It’s easy to wonder what the world would look like today if those 100M people had cast a vote—or had been able to cast a vote, since while some people abstain from voting by choice, others face voter suppression tactics and systemic barriers that prevent them from showing up at the polls. But in less than two months, we have a chance to make our voices heard again. Talk of voting and voter access feels more mainstream since the 2016 election, with many high-profile names joining the conversation and voter turnout initiatives in full swing. In fact, the 2018 midterm elections saw record turnout at the polls. However, on the eve of this critical election, turnout isn’t the only concern—with half of registered voters expecting to have difficulties voting. We need to do everything we can to make sure eligible voters can make their voices heard—and we’re starting right at home.

In a time of social distancing, many voters, especially those at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, may not feel safe waiting in line at the polls and risking exposure. In addition to mobilizing folks to register to vote and show up at the polls on election day, we’re committed to supporting the expansion of access to vote-by-mail, early in-person voting and online voter registration so every American can cast a vote this November without jeopardizing their health and safety.

So, what is Praytell doing?

This year, we’ve leveraged a few of our Passion Project teams to do pro-bono work in the voter turnout and registration space. Through our partnership with Creative Alliance, we’ve joined forces with When We All Vote, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization launched by Michelle Obama, to amplify Vote Loud, a new initiative rallying young and marginalized voters to participate in this critical election. We’ve also partnered with Vote Early Day, a movement working to spread awareness about early voting options, especially relevant in the age of COVID-19. By providing PR and influencer support to these critical initiatives, we can help make sure their message and information is spread as widely as possible, so that everyone who is eligible to vote has the information and resources they need to do so.

This commitment isn’t just seen in our client work—we’ve made it part of our culture. Just as we’ve moved to observe Juneteenth as a holiday, we’ve made Election Day a holiday since 2018. Giving our employees the day off ensures that everyone can make time to vote and be involved in the ways they want to (working the polls, etc). Election Day is not currently a federal holiday, so if an otherwise-eligible voter can’t take time off from work, find affordable childcare, find a ride to the polls or miss school, they might not be able to cast their vote.

How can I get involved?

We need to make sure that every voter is able to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election, and that starts with you. There’s a wide variety of state-specific resources out there that can help you get involved and make sure you have everything you need to cast your vote, including:

• Voter registration
• Checking your registration status
• Finding your polling place
• Requesting an absentee ballot
• Researching candidates
• Volunteering to text bank or phone bank
• Becoming a poll worker

You can also be an advocate for voter-friendly policies at your own agency or place of work. Giving employees paid time off to vote makes a powerful statement to clients, sets an example for others in your industry, and normalizes something that should be true across the board. Paid time off to vote is the kind of action that demonstrates true commitment versus a performative statement—important for companies who have verbalized support for Black Lives Matter, spoke on LGBTQ+ rights during Pride Month or committed to DE&I initiatives. This is a chance to walk the walk.

Whether you’re voting by mail, voting early, or voting in-person on election day, join Praytell in registering and making a plan to vote, and sharing information with your networks. You can register to vote (and more) HERE, and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you at the polls.