As the election grows nearer, many local groups are working to get out the vote. One group focused on conservation aims to get 2 million people to vote within the first week they get their ballot.
“We saw an increase during the primary for Washington state of 14% at the ballot box,” said Joy Stanford, political and democracy director for Washington Conservation Action. “I'd like to see that double, maybe even tripled for the general election.”
Washington Conservation Action wants to “protect the planet and people,” and as part of that mission, they’re working to get as many people out to vote as possible. They’re working to make that a reality by getting voters to pledge to turn their ballots in within the first week of receiving them.
“The political team decided to do a defend our vote project where we are asking people to be a first-week voter to, definitely when you get your ballot, you're filling it out. You're sending it in during that first week, you're using a ballot box and then you're telling other people,” Stanford said, “Some people say, tell three friends. No, I say tell 10 friends.”
Stanford says they’ve found success with both the pledge and sharing a text service through the Washington Secretary of State to track your ballot once it’s been dropped off.
For Stanford, the main message is clear: get out and vote, no matter who is or isn’t on the ballot.
“The only way you're going to have your voice heard, and the only way we're going to make change is if we vote,” she said. “What's really important is people understand every election is important. Just because the president isn't on the ballot doesn't mean it's not important”
