Washington, DC: Today, When We All Vote announced more details about its largest-ever Party at the Polls program. Thousands of get out the vote celebrations will engage more than 30 million voters in combination with direct outreach — including mail, SMS, live calls, emails and digital ads. Now in its tenth year, the program is proven to increase voter turnout by 2–4 percentage points.
This announcement comes as the right to vote has been under attack across the country, making it harder for millions of Americans — especially Black, Latino and young voters — to access the ballot box. These attacks include the denial of campus voting sites at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina; the further dismantling of the Voting Rights Act and the redistricting that has followed; threats of violence and federal government interference at the polls; confusion surrounding mail-in ballots and USPS regulations when delivering ballots; recent rulings surrounding voter data privacy; and many more efforts creating chaos and confusion.
To safeguard the rule of law and defend democracy against these attempts to silence voters, We The Action lawyers will join the Party at the Polls program to ensure voters can access the polls, support those who run into issues casting their vote and make sure every vote is counted through the election canvass.
“As early voting starts in the midterm elections, we can’t ignore how different and heavy voting feels for some Americans. That’s why our largest-ever Party at the Polls program will ensure voters across the country feel empowered and energized to show up with and for one another. These events are more than just fun — they’re effective. Every vote has the power to determine an election, and with more than 80,000 elections happening this November, these parties will shape key races across the country,” said Kalisha Dessources Figures, When We All Vote Senior Advisor.
Showing up for each other through fun, peaceful celebrations is more than an important tactic for boosting voter turnout — it is also a form of community care. Alongside the thousands of Party at the Polls events hosted at or near polling locations by community partners nationwide, When We All Vote will host five flagship events, including in:
● Greensboro, North Carolina, on October 22 at North Carolina A&T University with Marsai Martin
● Detroit, Michigan, on October 24 with the Detroit Pistons and Loni Love
● Phoenix, Arizona, on October 24 with Poder Latinx Collective Fund
● Jackson and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, from November 1–3 with Mississippi MOVE and Hoopbus
● Details on Georgia are coming soon
When We All Vote is partnering with over 400 community organizations, small businesses, faith-based groups and national nonprofits to host events across the country. Partners include NAACP, National Urban League, ACLU, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Latino Media Network, Black Chamber of Arizona and more. In collaboration with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, 180 colleges and universities across the country will also host parties on campuses for students. Other partners include Lyft, who will provide free and discounted rides to the polls in select areas; Clare V., who will host events in Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles on October 24, and donate 15% of proceeds during these events to When We All Vote on Vote Early Day; and Tony’s Chocolonely, who will provide chocolate bars to select parties across the country.
Voters can find a party near them at WeAll.Vote/Party. While events will take place nationwide, Party at the Polls will be concentrated in 21 states identified by the the Voting Rights Lab’s Election Risk Heat Map, including:
● Alabama
● Alaska
● Arizona
● Colorado
● Florida
● Georgia
● Indiana
● Iowa
● Louisiana
● Michigan
● Mississippi
● Missouri
● Nevada
● New Jersey
● North Carolina
● Ohio
● Pennsylvania
● Tennessee
● Texas
● Virginia
● Wisconsin
In 2024, more than 85,000 people voted early together at more than 500 Party at the Polls events, including a community block party with bull rides and line dancing in Philadelphia, a walk to the polls across Navajo Nation, events on college campuses and more.
