Voter Canvassing Training
As United Methodists, “[w]e hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections…The form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens” (The Book of Discipline. “Social Principles,” paragraph 164, p. 138). Therefore, we partner with God to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to express their voice. In our American context, this expression includes the right to vote.
This Voter Canvassing Training is for anyone who would like to get involved canvassing door to door in your neighborhood, specifically making contact with people who have been removed from or are getting ready to be removed from Florida voting rolls because of inactivity during the last two election cycles.
Florida law requires that registered voters who have not participated in at least two election cycles be sent a postcard in the mail notifying them that they are going to be removed from the voting roll unless they notify the supervisor of elections. The response rate for these cards is about 10%. That means that 90% of the people who haven't voted in the last two election cycles may not know that they are being removed from voting rolls and therefore no longer registered to vote. If they show up on election day expecting to vote, they will not be able to do so.
This canvassing effort is organized by Faith in Florida, whose mission is to build a powerful, multicultural, nonpartisan network of congregation community organizations in Florida that will address systemic racial and economic issues that cause poverty for our families.
Our mission for this canvass is simply to notify people who either have been or may soon be removed from voting rolls, making sure they know how to get registered and participate in voting. We will be encouraging UMC congregations to make contact with AME congregations in their community to share in this important work together. Many AME Churches in Florida have already begun or have plans to do this work in partnership with Faith in Florida.
If you have any questions please reach out to David Williamson at david@gracestaugustine.org
This Voter Canvassing Training is for anyone who would like to get involved canvassing door to door in your neighborhood, specifically making contact with people who have been removed from or are getting ready to be removed from Florida voting rolls because of inactivity during the last two election cycles.
Florida law requires that registered voters who have not participated in at least two election cycles be sent a postcard in the mail notifying them that they are going to be removed from the voting roll unless they notify the supervisor of elections. The response rate for these cards is about 10%. That means that 90% of the people who haven't voted in the last two election cycles may not know that they are being removed from voting rolls and therefore no longer registered to vote. If they show up on election day expecting to vote, they will not be able to do so.
This canvassing effort is organized by Faith in Florida, whose mission is to build a powerful, multicultural, nonpartisan network of congregation community organizations in Florida that will address systemic racial and economic issues that cause poverty for our families.
Our mission for this canvass is simply to notify people who either have been or may soon be removed from voting rolls, making sure they know how to get registered and participate in voting. We will be encouraging UMC congregations to make contact with AME congregations in their community to share in this important work together. Many AME Churches in Florida have already begun or have plans to do this work in partnership with Faith in Florida.
If you have any questions please reach out to David Williamson at david@gracestaugustine.org