I work directly with Nebraskans to make sure they know how to engage with their ballot. That they are confident they are casting intelligent votes. And, once they’re ready to cast it, that they have the right to do just that.
I suppose we could just drag people to the polls, but that wouldn’t be a very sustainable way of building democracy. Instead, we educate citizens on the process of democracy so they know why they should be voting. That’s what keeps them coming back each Election Day. They’re involved in the process of making things better.
Right now, there’s a lot of playing defense because voting rights are under attack. The Voting Rights Act was damaged in 2013 (following the Shelby County v. Holder ruling). Today we’re at a place we haven’t been in a while: fighting to get back rights we already had.
The people are democracy. The more they participate, the more modern and robust it will be. That’s why we help Nebraskans connect with the State Capitol to see their senators, to testify, to learn how the policies for which they advocate get put into law. Those policies impact the way they live their lives, especially when they go to a polling place.
Without our Voting Rights program, it would be a lot harder to vote. You look at things like online voter registration – that’s something Civic Nebraska worked really hard to achieve. During our Election Protection Program trainings, I’ll hear, “I was at this polling place, it wasn’t the correct one, and I didn’t know how to find the right polling place. Civic Nebraska is what got me there.” Those people wouldn’t have voted without the program. We make a difference.
Voting is a right. It’s in the Constitution. Over the years, people have fought and died for the right to vote. It’s not a privilege – it’s an honor, but it’s also a right.
There is nothing more beautiful than people having their voices heard. I get to help Nebraskans do that. It’s a blessing, and I can’t ask for much more.