Voter Empowerment

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Nebraska Information on Voting:

Q:  Who can vote?

A:  To be eligible to vote, you must be a registered voter. In the State of Nebraska, in order to register, you must:

bulletBe a United States Citizen
bulletBe at least 18 years of age or will be 18 on or before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
bulletLive in the State of Nebraska
bulletHave not been convicted of a felony, or if convicted, your sentence and parole have been completed longer than two years ago (Click here to learn more)
bulletHave not been officially found to be mentally incompetent
 

Q:  Where can I register to vote?
A:  Registration information for residents of Douglas County can be found on the Douglas County Election Commission website at http://www.votedouglascounty.com.  You can also register to vote when applying for a driver’s license or identification card at any Nebraska DMV or driver’s licensing offices.  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 or get information on deadlines and ID requirements?
A:  Visit the Douglas County Election Commission web site at www.votedouglascounty.com and download a copy of the Voter Registration Form.

Q.  When do I vote?

A:   In Nebraska, there is a Democratic Caucus, a Republican Primary and the General Election.

bulletThe General Election (for all National offices) is November 11, 2008.
bulletThe Democratic Caucus is February 9, 2008 (for more information, click here). 
bulletThe Republican Primary is May 13, 2008 (for more information, click here).

 

National NAACP Initiatives / Information on Voting:

KEY DISPARITIES THAT INFORM THE 2008 VOTER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (VEP '08)

bulletIn 2004, 67.9% of whites were registered compared to 64.4% of blacks
bulletIn 2004, 60.3% of whites voted compared to 56.3% of blacks
bulletIn 2000 and 2004, the percentage of uncounted votes was higher in minority neighborhoods with high poverty
bulletBallot 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:

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

VEP '08 MOBILIZATION STRATEGY

The VEP '08 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 '08 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 4th 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 2008, 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
 

NAACP Voter Empowerment Guide

NAACP Candidate Checklist

NAACP Election Issues Pocket Guide

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:  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 4, 2008.  Please note, however, that states host primary elections in the months leading up to November 4th.  To find out when your state will be hosting a primary election, please see pages 5-6 of the NAACP Voter Empowerment Guide

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Last updated: 05/09/08.