Future Hindsight

Census data supports communities Government and businesses rely on census data to provide the necessary services that make healthy and vibrant communities possible. The data reveals how many grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, or schools are needed, and even influence public transportation routes and budgets. An accurate and fair count will ensure that adequate resources are allocated.

Undercounting and the citizenship question Asking whether the census participant is a citizen could decrease the count because people are afraid that it would undermine their safety and privacy. Undercounting hurts all communities because it will imply that they need fewer resources. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, a bipartisan body of mayors, has joined a lawsuit to take the question off the census.

The basis for political power Political redistricting happens as a result of significant demographic shifts. After the 2010 census, 18 states changed their number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes, starting with the 2012 elections. Texas gained four seats, and Florida gained two. Another 6 states gained on seat each, while 8 states lost one seat, and New York and Ohio each lost two.

Find out more: Ashley Allison is the Executive Vice President of Campaigns and Programs at The Leadership Conference, the nation's premier civil and human rights coalition. It works on a wide range of issues, representative of the breadth of today's civil rights movement from immigration to disability rights, to the census and religious freedom. If you're interested in getting involved, email [email protected] and check out the Census Counts 2020 website.

The power of love and relational organizing When people realize that their vote matters personally to others, they are more likely to show up and exercise this right. Ineligible voters, such as teenagers or formerly incarcerated people, can make an impact on elections by drawing attention to how election results concern them and move their network of eligible voters to show up at the polls. Amendment 4 There are over 1.4 million people who are disenfranchised for life in the US, most of them for a small felony conviction. Amendment 4 is an initiative in Florida that aims to restore the right to vote to former felons. If we believe in second chances and the capacity of people to change for the better, a more representative voter pool would include those who have paid their debts to society.

Understand the issues The disenfranchised have a variety of policy issues that are often overlooked by those who do have the right to vote, such as on immigration or youth. "Movers" bring attention to the issues that affect them through their messaging. A wider perspective and a deeper understanding on the policy proposals of candidates on the ballot are additional reasons to turn out on Election Day.

Find out more: Esther de Rothschild is the founder of The Love Vote, a platform where people who cannot vote use love to mobilize those who can. Aicha Cherif is the Outreach Director, as well as a mover.

Brian Miller is the Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE, an organization that partners with other nonprofits to integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities. We discuss the importance of promoting voter registration to achieve full representation in excluded communities, and the benefits of a non-partisan, in person approach to do so.

Nonvoting feedback loop

The main reason people don't vote is that nobody has reached out to them and asked them to vote. Furthermore, most non-voters are not affiliated with either party. Anyone with a history of voting is more likely to be contacted by campaigns, increasing the odds that this person will vote. If a person does not normally vote, campaigns are unlikely to reach out, which in turn reinforces the non-voting habit. Asking to register and to vote

Many studies show that face-to-face engagement is one of the most effective ways to get people to show up at the polls. Making eye contact and asking someone to register and to vote because his or her opinion is valuable, increases the likelihood of that person showing up at the polls.

Nonprofit advocacy for voting

Nonprofit service providers, such as health centers and food pantries, are trusted messengers in the communities they serve because they have an established relationship. Communities who participate and vote, help nonprofits achieve their missions, and empower themselves by having their voices heard.

Find out more:

Brian Miller is the Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE, the leading source of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services, and the managing partner of National Voter Registration Day. The organization works with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve to participate and vote.

A sneak peek of the first episode of Season 4: Brian Miller makes a case for registering and voting. National Voter Registration Day is on September 25, 2018.

Pam Elam and Namita Luthra serve on the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Fund. Their Monumental Women campaign will bring the first statue commemorating real women to New York City's Central Park in 2020. We discuss the importance of honoring women and their contributions to society in public spaces.

Rethink history to shape the future Women and people of color have been largely left out of our nation's narrative, instilling the impression that they made no significant contribution to our society. Rethinking history in a more inclusive way allows us to see that a diverse group of people made a difference, and that all of us can shape our world and our future. It matters who we honor with monuments in public spaces. The worth of women The Monumental Women campaign to honor Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony with a statue in Central Park encountered an uphill battle that reflects how women continue to be excluded. The dearth of women in boardrooms, in the highest echelons of government, and in public monuments, confirms that women are still widely regarded as worth less than men.

Women are ready to advocate for themselves The women's suffrage movement is the largest nonviolent revolution in the history of the US. It took 72 years for women to achieve the right to vote. Recent marches and the rise of new movements for women's equality are proof that women have a renewed commitment to augment their role in society and put their issues first.

Find out more: Pam Elam and Namita Luthra are members of the Board of Directors of The Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Fund, Inc. Their work has been key for the success of the Monumental Women campaign to bring the first ever statue of women to New York City's Central Park.