Are you registered to vote?

At Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, we are dedicated to increasing civic engagement among our staff, supporters, and those that we serve. 

And September 22 is National Voter Registration Day - a single day to reach thousands of new voters. 

So register to vote! Ask your family and friends if they are registered. We created a page on our website that has information about registering in Arizona - and four of our offices have paper registration forms available. 

Need a reason to register? Here are 5. 

  1. Vote for those that cannot vote. Many people that we serve at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest don't have a vote. The children in our Family HOMES foster care program aren't able to vote. Our refugees aren't able to apply for citizenship until they have been here for five years, and are not able to vote. But the elections can greatly impact their lives. Be their voices at the polls.
     
  2. Vote for the vulnerable. Many populations that we serve at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest are underrepresented in the electoral process - including Latino voters, voters under 30 years old, and voters with household incomes under $25,000.
     
  3. Vote to make a difference. Every vote is equal. It doesn't matter how old you are, how much money you make, your race, or your gender! All votes are equal. All votes matter. A famous example of this is the 2000 presidential election where only a handful of votes decided the election and the fate of our country. 
     
  4. Vote because you can. Many people across the world cannot vote - or have lost their lives for the right. Many people in the world do not live in a democracy or government that recognizes freedom of speech. You have the opportunity to be a participant in democratic process - or you can be an onlooker. 
     
  5. Vote to change history. In 2016, for the first time ever, people of color, young Americans, and unmarried women will likely cast over half of all ballots in the presidential election. For the first time in our nation's history, the most diverse electorate ever will enter the voting booths. Let's start getting ready now!