How do we increase electoral participation so that our democracy better reflects the needs of all of its citizens?

This was the question that the Voter Action Fund set about answering in 2004.

More than 23 million adult Americans do not participate in our democracy. This is particularly true in many low-income communities across the country. Voters living below the poverty line traditionally have a voter turnout rate of approximately 38%. With little political clout, entire communities are marginalized and ignored by our elected officials. 

Within the practicalities of voting – from how people register to how many workers staff their polling place to how the votes are counted – sit the fundamentals of our democracy.  The 2000 election in Florida raised awareness of, and sparked outrage about, the inherent inequities and flaws of our electoral system.  It also gave momentum to a broad range of strategies intended to remove barriers to voting and actively encourage the exercise of electoral power by everyone.

In 2004, the Tides Voter Action Fund supported grassroots organizations working to build an informed, engaged, and diverse electorate as well as policy and advocacy groups working to address the legal, procedural, and technological barriers to electoral participation.  The Fund made grants totaling more than $4 million including partner or donor-designated grants to over 100 organizations working to strengthen and increase donor participation across the U.S.  The grants focused on:

The cumulative work of these grantees and their partners across the U.S. saw short- and long-term results:

  • Turnout in historically under-represented communities increased by over 5 million;
  • There was an unprecedented level of financial support for c3 and c4 voter participation initiatives;
  • The 2004 victory of the minimum wage ballot initiative in Florida, along with the passage of the clean energy initiative in Colorado, the defeat of a measure in Montana to allow cyanide in gold and silver mining, and a new law in Washington to regulate toxic waste – all signaled that, when given a clear choice, voters are supporting progressive ideas, particularly on the environment and economic justice.
  • There was greater collaboration in the field: at the state level through the creation of coordinating committees, and nationally through the work of networks like National Voice and the Campaign for Communities.
  • Many small grassroots community organizing groups got involved in electoral work for the first time – some with the support of the Center for Community Change’s Community Voting Project. 
  • Some social services organizations – including those serving Latino communities – connected voter registration and education to their core work. 
  • New groups such as Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes emerged to engage single women voters. 
  • Young voters were the target of by innovative youth-led efforts such as the League of Young Voters (aka League of Pissed off Voters).  
  • Project Vote worked with ACORN affiliates and other organizations to register over a million voters in 26 states. 
  • Groups used new technology for organizing including GIS mapping tools, PDAs, and web-based outreach.

These achievements made it clear that, instead of waiting for the next presidential election, we need to build on this momentum.  The Voter Action Fund is continuing to invest in the organizations that are building a "constant campaign" that engages citizens and builds electoral power in every election.