tomorrowwevote, Author at Tomorrow We Vote

Lesson 2: What Do State Representatives Actually Do?

TWVU News / tomorrowwevote / April 24, 2020

This week’s lesson revolves around State Representatives. We vote them in but do you know what they do in your state capitol? Watch the video and discuss among yourselves or wherever you see the video posted. Click below to view the video and join TWVocalize to discuss. Video Transcript: Hey! Do you feel like learning something important? Well, let’s talk about what a State House Representative actually does! Let’s go! A state house representative is part of the Legislative branch of state government. Each state will have their own elected number of representatives which make up the State House. For instance, Arizona has 60 Representatives which makes up 2 house members per district. Considering there are 30 districts in the entire state, the numbers coincide with how many reps make up the state. The House can draft, introduce, and vote on legislation. They have the ability to enact laws and propose amendments to the state constitution as well. Like the United States House of Representatives, the State House of Representatives hold the power to impeach elected state officials whereas the Senate holds trials and convictions. The terms for the Arizona State House is for two years. That’s when you as a voter come into play to vote them in or vote them out. Not bad for so much power to hold. Each state may vary when it comes to duties and age restrictions, so check your state for specifics. Hmm.. Maybe that sounds like something you’d like to run for someday.

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Lesson 1: Why Do We Vote on Novembers and on Tuesdays?

TWVU News / tomorrowwevote / April 17, 2020

On our weekly lessons, we’ll discuss why we vote on Novembers and Tuesdays for election dates. It’s pretty simple as to why that happens but with Early Voting methods, personal voting days can vary for each individual voter. Click below to view the video and join TWVocalize to discuss it. Transcript: Have you ever wondered why federal elections are always held on a Tuesday or why presidential and mid-terms are held in November? Well, believe it or not but farming has a lot to do with it. In 1845, Congress passed a federal law designating the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day.* But let’s backtrack to even before that time. When the Founding Fathers met at the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 for a brief moment, they left things unresolved and were too exhausted to continue. One of the items left on the table was when federal elections should be held? Considering that incomplete, states were left to decide their own voting dates and that left the country with several decades of chaotic voting timetables.** This brings us to 1845 where lawmakers had decided that Monday couldn’t be a possible voting day due to traveling to polls in their buggies on Sundays which was the Sabbath. And considering most worked as farmers and lived far from their polling stations, they decided Tuesdays would be a much better fit since Wednesdays was Market Day for farmers.* Now, this explains Tuesdays but why November? Well, Spring and early Summer elections interfered with planting season and late summer and early fall elections would overlap with the harvest season. November fit the bill because by then, the harvest was complete and in time before the harsh winters. As a result, Election Day is only a civic holiday in states which include Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, and others as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. Some states have made it easier to vote early and by mail which gives voters better opportunities to cast their decisions without waiting till election day to stand in poll lines. Maybe one day voters will come together to help make Election Day a federal holiday to give people the opportunity to vote and increase turnout. That will be up to you! *History.com** NPR

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Introducing Tomorrow We Vote University!

During this pandemic, we’re urging everybody to stay safe, keep washing your hands, staying healthy as possible, and make the best out of a bad situation. We know it’s difficult and young people love staying active. With school and our planned presentations canceled, we felt the need to create something to help young people stay engaged and learn about voting in the process. Welcome to Tomorrow We Vote University or TWVU. This will be a resource hub where we’ve created a space for young people to be able to learn more about voting, increase their awareness, understand their own power better, and urge others to get involved. Our presentations have been made in front of thousands of students and we didn’t want the momentum to stop. TWVU is designed as a weekly updated process with new videos, new quizzes, and other resources updated. The site will naturally expand as ideas are introduced, young people help build, and also they become the face of TWVU. There will even be times when young people will read and write the video scripts as well as create their own quizzes regarding voting and the political process. We encourage anyone under the age of 25 to get involved and complete a profile on our social network, TWVocalize. This way, the future leaders of this next generation will be able to share ideas in a safe environment and with Tomorrow We Vote’s resources and mentorship. If this sounds like a good idea, please head on over and fill out your registration. This current situation of distance doesn’t have to remove engagement. We just have to think outside of the box and make due. The future won’t stop so we hope the young people take control of it. Visit: https://www.twvu.org

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State of Arizona Executive Order – Stay Home Order

COVID-19, News, TWVU News / tomorrowwevote / March 30, 2020

Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey has enacted an executive order called “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected – Physical Distancing to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission.” It’s designed to keep people home during the coronavirus epidemic that’s sweeping the country. The order asks for citizens to only exit their dwellings for essential items and activities. It’s not as strict as people should take as this pandemic spreads around the world. As COVID-19 reaches passed 1,157 contractions and 20 deaths in Arizona alone, we recommend everyone just stay home. Don’t go outside unless you need to. Wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid people at a 6-foot distance when in passing. We need kids to return healthy to school when this is settled. To see the governor’s Executive Order, please view it below or download it here.

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2019 Year In Review

News, Uncategorized / tomorrowwevote / December 31, 2019

In 2019, Tomorrow We Vote presented to over 8600 people in 40 events which include 22 High School presentations and resulted in 744 voter registrations of Arizona students – most of whom will be voting for the first time in November 2020. Our approach to directly address students where they are with an education focus is working. And we also registered and updated information for 132 other residents. Our Accountability Surveys also hit over the 500 mark. We look forward to 2020 and hoping to double the results we’ve had here. That will take volunteers, donations, and a lot more time before the November 3, 2020 elections come. The youth are resilient and so are we. As long as they have a thirst to obtain knowledge on the importance of voting in their interests, we’ll be there to urge and encourage them! If you’d like to have Tomorrow We Vote present to your high school or college, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 480-500-8116. You can also visit www.tomorrowwevote.org and contact us there. If you’re an Arizona resident and would like to complete the Accountability Survey, please do so at http://twv.cz/account Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat – @tomorrowwevote

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Election Day for City of Phoenix Council Districts 5 & 8 is this Tuesday, May 21!

Arizona, News, Uncategorized / tomorrowwevote / May 20, 2019

Important Dates and Times Monday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 (Election Day) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting Centers Voters in City of Phoenix elections are not required to vote at a specified polling place in the voter’s precinct. Voter can use any of the 11 voting centers to cast a ballot. This method of voting is only available for City of Phoenix elections. For faster service, voters are encouraged to bring their driver license, state-issued identification card, or voter identification card. Broadway Heritage Neighborhood Resource Center 2405 E Broadway Rd 24th St / Broadway RdCesar Chavez Branch Library 3635 W Baseline Rd 35th Ave / Baseline Rd Desert West Community 6501 W Virginia Ave 67th Ave / Encanto BlvdEastlake Park Community Center 1549 E Jefferson St 15th Street / Jefferson StHelen Drake Senior Center 7600 N. 27th Ave 27th Ave / Northern AveMaryvale Community Center 4420 N 51st Ave 51st Ave / Campbell AveMemorial Presbyterian Church 4141 E Thomas Rd 44th St / Thomas RdNorth Phoenix Baptist Church 5757 N Central Ave Central Ave / Bethany Home RdPendergast Community Center 10550 W Mariposa St 103rd Ave / Camelback RdPhoenix City Hall 200 W Washington St 3rd Ave / Washington StSouth Mountain Community Center 212 E Alta Vista Rd Central Ave / Southern Ave All information can be found here: City Council Run-Off Election

Election Day for City of Phoenix Council Districts 5 & 8 is this Tuesday, May 21! Read More »

Students Hold A Candidate Debate For City Council Districts 5 & 8 Ahead of Election

Arizona, News / tomorrowwevote / May 17, 2019

On Friday, two students from Peoria High School held a candidate debate for the four remaining candidates running for Phoenix City Council in districts 5 and 8. Twin sisters and President and Vice-President of the Peoria High School Tomorrow We Vote Club, Elena and Larisa Andreyeva, helped organize the debate inviting the candidates to appear and answer questions regarding their positions on various issues. City Council Debate Video The students challenged the candidates Held at the Tomorrow We Vote Office in the Cosecha Co-Op space, the hosts asked various questions to Carlos Garcia and Vania Guevara of Districts 8 and 5 respectively for nearly 45 minutes. Opponents in the same race, Mike Johnson and Betty Guardado, called in advance regarding a conflict in the schedule and were unable to attend. Garcia and Guevara answered questions regarding police reform, school safety, the environment, and more. The questions asked by the Andreyevas were well-thought out and the candidates responded candidly and succinctly. Mail-in ballots have already been mailed and the polls will open for Election Day on May 21, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ at the following locations. Thank you Carlos and Vania for attending and for Larisa and Elena for hosting and organizing the event. High school students who aren’t old enough to vote are already engaged in the electoral process enough to help plan this event. So, do your part and vote! To view Michael Johnson and Betty Guardado’s positions, watch the previous first run-off election debate by clicking here. More information, visit the Phoenix City Council Runoff Site.

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Phoenix Candidates Campaign for Votes in Speed Dating – Type Forum

News, Uncategorized / tomorrowwevote / February 14, 2019

Tomorrow We Vote is serious about voting and getting the vote out. And at the same time, we like to do things a bit different to make the political experience less intimidating. So, last Thursday, on February 7, we created a speed dating forum for the Mayoral and City Council candidates for Districts 5 & 8 in the Cosecha Co-Op, located next to the Tomorrow We Vote office. The result was every candidate in city council showing up and the Mayoral candidates opting out and substituting themselves for surrogates to speak on their behalf. Members of the community came to support and participate and have an intimate 2-minutes with each of the candidates before moving on to the other. This method was chosen due to the typical forum style which chooses selected questions written by audience members for each candidate to be asked and answered. As we like to give voters a chance to meet candidates intimately and know who they are personally, the speed dating allowed each person to have a conversation and actually get to know them. The community style worked so well, people eventually ignored the 2-minute limits and began having deep conversations with each person in the room and with each other. The entire Cosecha space turned into a community center where all involved were listened to and allowed to express their concerns on which they’d like fixed in their districts. Meanwhile, the entire event was recorded and broadcasted on Tomorrow We Vote’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts simultaneously to be rewatched, shared, and posted by anybody in Phoenix who wants to get their word and platform out for every voter participating in the March 12th event. The Mayoral candidates missed out greatly in this opportunity for people to get to know them in a unique environment and choose community and voters over every thing else. Maybe the next scheduled events will convince them to participate and get to know the people who will put one of them in office. Check the videos above to view the event. Photography by JJ Johnson of Intrinsic Imagery

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Phoenix, AZ – Mayoral & City Council Election Information

Arizona / tomorrowwevote / January 23, 2019

Phoenix, AZ has a special election coming up to decide their City Council officials for District 5 & 8 as well as one for their Mayor. Former Mayor Greg Stanton left the position to run (and win) a U.S. Congressional seat leaving the role of Mayor open. After a four-way split for Mayor, nobody went over the 51% mark so there is a special election for the front runners, Daniel Valenzuela and Kate Gallego. The other races for the City Council positions for Districts 5 & 8 will also be on the ballot. Listed below are each candidate in those Phoenix Districts for City Council: District 5:Vania Guevara, Audrey Bell-Jenkins, Betty Guardado, Lydia Hernandez District 8:Gilbert Arvizu, Carlos Garcia, Michael Johnson, Michael Langley, Lawrence Robinson, Camaron Stevenson, Warren Stewart, Jr., Onesimus Strachan Important Dates February 11, 2019 – Last day to register to voteFebruary 13, 2019 – Early voting beginsMarch 8, 2019 – Latest date to vote early Voting Dates March 9, 2019March 11, 2019March 12, 2019 (Election Day) More information: https://www.phoenix.gov/cityclerk/services/election-information/march-2019-special-election

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TWV presents Souls to the Polls – October 28, 2018

News / tomorrowwevote / October 27, 2018

The upcoming election on November 6th will determine a lot of local positions which could change the course of history in the United States. Tomorrow We Vote had done a lot over the last couple of weeks to ensure people used their right to vote. Having a Souls to the Polls event wasn’t on our schedule at first until we realized voting didn’t have to assume to be dull and lifeless. Sure, you could vote by mail or at the polls but what if people celebrated the act? What if people enjoyed their right by gathering together and making a festival out of it? And that’s where it started! After advertising through many means of digital videos, billboards, flyers, phone calls, and texts to remind citizens not only of the upcoming mid-term elections but to vote early on a special day off and drop off their ballots along with a celebration. The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office worked with us to open four locations throughout the valley on Sunday for citizens to vote. And they came in droves! Burton Barr Public Library was ground zero for not only the poll but where the Souls to the Polls Festival was to take place. The festival included a cultural experience Phoenix had never seen before. Puerto Rican dancers and singers, an R&B Singer (Vaughn Willis), First New Life Church Gospel Choir, Live Indigenous Art (Craig Cleveland), DJ Juicy Boy, face painting, spoken word and more! This free event which lasted from 1PM – 5PM brought community together in a political setting where even candidates running for office came to participate. We’d like to thank those who partnered with Tomorrow We Vote to pull this event off: Zulema Rodriguez and Movement Voter Project, Pastor Reginald Walton and the AACCC, Dulce Juarez, Jenny Eisel and Stand Indivisible, Keisha Jones, Yolanda Medina and VoteRiders, Equality Arizona, The Three Amigos (John, Manny, and Shantelle) and many volunteers along the way! Without you all, this wouldn’t have worked! Photography (except above pic) by Moonlight Photography

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