NAACP CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GOAL

The NAACP Civic Engagement Department has developed a 2006 Voter Empowerment Program (VEP '06) as a nonpartisan campaign designed to empower African Americans and people of color by increasing awareness and participation in the electoral process. The VEP '06 Goal is to increase African American voter turnout by 5% more than the 2002 turnout.

KEY DISPARITIES THAT INFORM THE 2006 VOTER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (VEP '06)

• In 2004, 67.9% of whites were registered compared to 64.4% of blacks
• In 2004, 60.3% of whites voted compared to 56.3% of blacks
• In 2000 and 2004, the percentage of uncounted votes was higher in minority neighborhoods with high poverty
• Ballot initiatives are underutilized as a method of promoting equity and the advancement of a progressive civil rights agenda

TO ACHIEVE THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GOAL, THE NAACP WILL…

• Ensure Voter Empowerment: Provide awareness, training, and programmatic support to ensure registration, education, administration, and election protection
• Ensure Voters' Constitutional Rights are Protected: Promote the constitutional right to vote, have it counted, and protected
• Monitor Redistricting and Census Information: Assure fair and proportional elected representation
• Promote Ballot Initiatives to Address Social Justice Issues: Ensure ballot initiatives advance progressive civil rights agenda

VEP '06 MOBILIZATION STRATEGY

The VEP '06 plan concentrates efforts providing support in the following areas: Technical Assistance and Training; Capacity-Building; Database Management; Research and Strategic Planning; and Public Messaging. The nationwide program places special emphasis on the 5 Gulf Coast States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas in addition to Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Overall, the VEP '06 plan includes 5 components:

1. Voter Registration
2. Voter Education
3. Election Administration
4. Election Protection
5. Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)

Civic Engagement History

CURRENT INITIATIVES AND CAMPAIGNS

"ARRIVE WITH 5"
The NAACP's "Arrive with 5" campaign is a national voter empowerment initiative aimed at increasing voter registration and participation in the November 7th elections. Over the past two election cycles, we have fought a valiant battle to register African American voters and ensure that each ballot cast is counted but our work is far from over. During these same election cycles we witnessed a surge in African American voter turnout, but we also realized the magnitude of voter suppression strategies that continues to hinder our vote. In 2006, our goal is to increase the overall African American voter turnout by 5% more than the 2002 African American turnout. As elections fast approach, now is the time to prepare. Working in partnership with People for the American Way, the NAACP asks participants to identify five (5) friends or family members who are committed to helping register others to vote and to "Arrive with 5" to the polls on Election Day. Value your Vote by doing more than simply casting a ballot. Help someone else register to vote and cast their ballots as well. Together we can Value our Vote and Vote our Values!

NAACP PUBLICATIONS IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Value Our Vote: 2006 NAACP Voter Empowerment Guide

Value Our Vote: 2006 NAACP Candidate Checklist

Value Our Vote: 2006 NAACP Election Issues Pocket Guide

Focusing on the Heart of the Matter: The Impact of Hurricane Katrina

TAKE ACTION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Q:  Why Vote?
A:  Voting is a fundamental right and a tool to express your opinion about how the government should function and who should be its leaders.  By voting, you are exercising your right to be a part of the decision-making process that determines who will represent you, your family, and your neighbors at the local, state, and federal levels.

Q:  Who can vote?
A:  To be eligible to vote, you must be at least 18 year of age; you must be a U.S. citizen; and you must be registered to vote.

Q:  Where can I register to vote?
A:  Registration applications may be obtained from either the local election official in your county or city, or through registration outreach programs sponsored by groups such as the NAACP and the League of Women Voters.  You can also register to vote when applying for a driver’s license or identification card at your state DMV or driver’s licensing offices; State Offices providing public assistance; State offices providing State-funded programs for the disabled, and at armed forces recruitment offices.  Many states also offer registration opportunities at public libraries, post offices, unemployment offices, and a public high schools high schools and universities.  Colleges, universities, and trade schools participating in federal student loan programs also offer voter registration applications to enrolled students prior to general elections.

Q:  How can I register to Vote?
A:  Visit the Election Assistance Commission web site at www.eac.gov/register_vote.htm and download a copy of the National Voter Registration Form.

Q:  When is the last day to register to vote in my state?
A:  State registration deadlines vary from state to state.  For a listing of the voter registration deadlines in each state, visit: www.eac.gov/register_vote_deadlines.htm.

Q:  Who is the Election Official in my state?
A:  In most states, the Chief Election Officials is the Secretary of State.  In some states, it may be the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections or the Lieutenant Governor.  To determine who the official is in your state, visit your state’s official web site.

Q:  What are the Voter ID requirements in my state?
A:  Identification requirements vary from state to state.  For a listing of the current requirements in your state, please visit www.electionline.org.

Q:  How can I help others register to vote?
A:  One of the best ways to help others register to vote is to volunteer in a voter registration drive.  Contact your local NAACP branch to get involved!

Q:  When is Election Day?
A:  Election Day is November 7, 2006.  Please note, however, that states host primary elections in the months leading up to November 7th.  To find out when your state will be hosting a primary election, please see pages 5-6 of the NAACP Voter Empowerment Guide

Election Resource Sites

Federal Election Commission 
www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.shtml

New York Times Election Guide
www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/2006ELECTIONGUIDE_currentDataSet_senANALYSIS.html

The Election Reform Information Project
http://electionline.org/