Let’s give a warm welcome to the folks from VAAC – Voting Access for All!
A short introduction from their Act Blue page:
Michigan citizens with a criminal record have a right to vote! VAAC is dedicated to ensuring that all Michiganders understand their rights – even with a felony record, on probation, parole or tether, or awaiting arraignment or trial, even while in Jail – you have the power to vote. Your past doesn’t prevent you from impacting our future.
Your donations help us to:
– educate people who have been misinformed about their right to vote
– motivate those who do not believe their vote matters
– help people overcome the barriers that may prevent them from voting
Watch this video with real VAAC volunteers describing their mission.
As many as 300,000 Michiganders who have a criminal record are eligible to vote, but far too many of them believe they’ve lost the right to vote. VACC is working to empower this woefully disenfranchised community, and their goal for registration and voting in November is a whopping 100,000.
Think for a second about what the margin of victory was in Michigan in 2020.
VAAC is sending formerly incarcerated individuals back into their communities to clarify the law, and they are sending representatives to several urban County jails to register eligible voters who are awaiting arraignment or trial.
They are sending volunteers to “expungement fairs,” where volunteer lawyers help citizens who have fulfilled their obligation to society get their records cleaned up.
Not just that – VAAC volunteers and employees with a criminal record are building their resumes through their efforts, and finding purpose and inspiration.
Consistent with our goal of strategic funding, we are looking to fund “boots-on-the ground” positions. Once we know exactly what the external match amount will be, we will share more details about exactly which positions we will fund.
The enthusiasm of the founders and the volunteers is infectious. Don’t miss the Zoom call next Wednesday, 5/18 at 7:30 pm, where some of the coalition leaders and members (even a couple of the volunteers featured in the video) will join us.
Thanks to the execrable War on Drugs and a criminal justice system with a racist history, the community targeted for outreach is large and persuadable.
With the sheer number of new voters VAAC aims to bring into the system, with the voter protection amendment promoted by Promote the Vote 2022, and with our funding of Four Directions in Michigan, we believe it’s possible to put the Michigan brick firmly back in the Blue Wall.
Enough from us! Ask them anything, watch the video, and check out their website.
Oh, and come meet them in person at the zoom next Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30!
Voting Access for All Coalition
Voting Access for All Coalition – Ask Them Anything!Post + Comments (82)