How Can Democracy NC Restructure its Souls to the Polls Program to Encourage Faith-Based Community Members to Vote in the 2012 Elections?

As Election Day approaches, organizations across the state will increase their efforts to “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV). Voters complain about the endless stream of phone calls, emails, and volunteers asking the same question: “Are you heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 6?”

Despite the public’s frustration’s with election season, studies have shown that “regular voters” (registered adults who say they “always vote” and are “certain” they will vote in the upcoming elections) are more likely than “intermittent voters,” (registered adults who are “less certain” about voting in the upcoming election) to say they have been “contacted by a candidate or political group encouraging them to vote, underscoring the value of GOTV campaigns and encouraging political participation.”

Democracy North Carolina is committed to increasing the number of educated voters across the state. Part of our strategy involves reaching out to faith leaders that want to engage their congregations to participate in civic and community life. While Democracy NC has partnered with congregations in the eastern, southeastern, and western parts of the state, we have not had the time, staff, or resources to conduct a “Souls to the Polls” program in Durham, where our main office is located.