Category: VoteRiders Blog

What is a Provisional Ballot and How to Make it Count

First, what is a provisional ballot? A provisional ballot records your vote when there are questions about your eligibility to cast a regular ballot. Provisional ballots serve as a back-up option to make sure eligible voters aren’t turned away from the polls. In some states, they may be called challenged, affidavit, questioned, or special ballots. […]

“I’m passionate about so many issues. I want to help make a small difference by voting,” Says Arizona voter.

BY ERIN CARDEN, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — OCTOBER 25, 2024 After losing her birth certificate during a move to Arizona, Nicole Karpinski faced major obstacles in getting the ID she needed to vote in the 2024 General Election. With time running out, she discovered VoteRiders, who covered the costs for notary services, a new […]

Who has an ID in Texas & Georgia?

BY LAUREN KUNIS, CEO & DIRECTOR, VOTERIDERS — OCTOBER 25, 2024 As we sprint toward Election Day, I want to share VoteRiders’ newest research into the impact of voter ID laws in two battleground states: Texas and Georgia. Both of these states had voter ID laws in 2020, and both states moved to make them even stricter in […]

Pro Bono Lawyers Work in Service of Democracy

By Ceridwen Cherry, VoteRiders Legal Director – October 23, 2024 October 20-26 is the American Bar Association’s 2024 National Celebration of Pro Bono. For the past 16 years, legal organizations across the United States have participated in the National Celebration of Pro Bono to draw attention to the need for pro bono participation and to […]

Q&A with Texas Rising’s Ofelia Alonso: "Young people in Texas have immense collective power."

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Ofelia Alonso, Director of Texas Rising, spoke with VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator about her organization’s commitment to empowering young Latino communities through civic engagement. Texas Rising works closely with partners like VoteRiders to ensure young Latino voters register and have the information and support they need to overcome barriers […]

“If I hadn't had this opportunity to renew my ID then I might not have registered to vote for the first time, so I thank VoteRiders for that,” Says first-time voter

BY ERIN CARDEN, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 Seiyonna, a 21 year-old Nebraska resident, contacted VoteRiders for help renewing her driver’s license and registering to vote for the first time. For the first time in her life, Seiyonna Terrell has the chance to vote for the candidates she believes can lead the […]

Voting Rights Are Disability Rights: Q&A With Arizona Disability Rights Partners

During Disability Voting Rights Week, Renaldo Fowler, Senior Staff Advocate at Disability Rights Arizona, and David Carey, Disability Justice Educator at Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council (AZSILC), speak with VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator about their collective efforts to empower Arizona’s disability community through advocacy and voter participation. — SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 Tell me about yourself […]

“Being homeless and going to school with no ID was the most challenging thing,” Says Arizona Voter

After experiencing housing insecurity while studying at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, Jarell Blake was determined to get the ID he needed to secure stable housing, become a registered nurse, and participate in democracy. BY ERIN CARDEN, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — AUGUST 29, 2024 Jarell didn’t know when things would get easier, […]

Q&A With Vot-ER's Emily Polak: "A Healthy Community Is Powered By a Healthy Democracy"

In celebration of Civic Health Month, Emily Polak, Vice President of Partnerships and Organizing at Vot-ER spoke with VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator about Vot-ER’s nonpartisan mission to create “Healthy communities powered by a healthy democracy.” Through collaborations with organizations like VoteRiders, Vot-ER ensures voters not only register but also have the information and support they […]