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According to The Washington Post, more Americans voted in the 2020 election than in any other in more than 100 years. Still a large percentage of eligible voters remain unregistered. As more days pass, much national focus has shifted from national Election Day to Georgia’s runoff for both of the state’s U.S. Senate seats. Voter access and rights remain an important point of concern for many as the runoff election date draws nearer.
Members of the legal community looking to offer their expertise, time or other donations to voter outreach and protection efforts—during the Georgia runoff and beyond—can start by checking out these organizations.
Election Protection
Founded in 2001, Election Protection is a national non-profit, nonpartisan organization focused on guaranteeing that voters have an equal and fair opportunity to vote and truly be part of the vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state, and national partners, the organization’s goal is to prevent voter discrimination as well as fight to modernize the voting process.
Election Protection is looking for lawyers, paralegals, law students, and other legal professionals to help protect and maintain a secure election. Anyone interested in getting involved can volunteer to help assist voters by answering important questions, guiding them through the voting process, and responding to incidents. There are also opportunities to volunteer for a Field Program, often on-site at polls to answer any of voting questions and respond to any voting issues. Beyond legal-related work, anyone can join their efforts, whether it may be to work as a social media monitor or helping with direct voter contact such as texting/calling voters. You can always donate to Election Protection, too. If you have any questions, you can contact Election Protection at volunteer@866ourvote.org or go to their website for more information.
Fair Fight
Founded in 2014, Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, is a non-profit national voting rights organization located in Georgia. It’s dedicated to promoting voting rights and fair elections not only in Georgia, but around the country. Fair Fight works to encourage voter participation, spread awareness about election reform and advocate for it, as well as increase voter education surrounding elections and voter rights. In all, the goal of Fair Fight is to guarantee that elections are honest, equitable, and free from corruption.
Fair Fight is looking for lawyers to help “insure voters have good information so they can cast their votes and not be harassed or intimidated away from their constitutional right to vote.” While legal expertise is helpful for certain aspects of their mission, anyone can join whether it may be volunteering as a poll worker, assisting with line warming, or calling and/or texting voters. You can always donate to Fair Fight, too. If you have any questions, you can contact NGP at Organizing@FairFightAction.com or go to their website for more information.
The New Georgia Project
Founded in 2014, the New Georgia Project (NGP) is a non-profit, nonpartisan voter registration program focused on increasing registration and civic engagement in Georgia. According to NGP, over the past decade, the Georgia population has increased by 18%, resulting in an increase of potential voters. Moreover, according to NGP, this growth is mostly due to “The New American Majority: people of color, those 18 to 29 years of age, and unmarried women,” which constitutes 62% of the voting age population in Georgia; however, only 53% of this population are registered voters. Therefore, it is NGP's goal to register all eligible, unregistered citizens in Georgia.
How can one get involved with the NGP? It is very simple. Be a volunteer. NGP holds volunteer registration drives across Georgia in all 159 counties every day. At NGP there is a role for everyone and many ways to plug into their mission, many of which offer opportunities to leverage legal expertise.You can also sign up and be an active advocate for many of NGP’s programs such as Agenda for Young Georgians, VIBE, “Loose The Chains” Faith Agenda, Reproductive Justice for NGP, and the Peanut Gallery. You can always donate to NGP, too. One can also join the list host to get weekly reminders as to where there are upcoming volunteer opportunities in your area. If you have any questions, you can contact NGP at volunteer@NewGeorgiaProject.org or go to their website for more information.
