Election 2020: Remote advocacy during COVID

Now that it’s October, campaign season is certainly in full swing. Making afterschool an election issue is more important now than ever—but advocacy needs to look a little different this year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for afterschool during this year’s election season will look a little different. Below are some ideas for how you can still engage candidates while keeping a safe social distance.

• Organize a letter or email campaign – Encourage parents, youth, program staff, and other key stakeholders to write letters or send emails to elected officials.
• Post on Facebook or Twitter.
• Host a virtual site visit – Is your program still offering in-person opportunities? Take candidates on a virtual tour of your program to show how afterschool is responding to the pandemic. If you are providing virtual learning opportunities, consider inviting candidates to join a class.
• Host a virtual Lights On Afterschool event – The lights are still on this year! Be sure to host a virtual Lights On Afterschool event on October 22, and invite candidates to join in the celebration!
• Participate in a virtual town hall – Many candidates are moving from hosting in-person events to holding virtual town halls. Reach out to your local campaigns to see if they are holding any virtual events. You could also bring together a coalition of afterschool programs from your community to host your own virtual town hall or candidate forum. Just be sure to invite all candidates running for office.
• Candidate questionnaire – Ask candidates to complete a candidate questionnaire.
• Virtual voter registration drive – Get out the vote by hosting a digital voter registration drive! Rock the Vote has a great resource on how to host a digital or socially distance voter registration drive in your community.