The Only Way is Up: A Discussion to Boost Voter Turnout in New York
Nov. 18, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
New York Law School, 185 West Broadway, NYC
Citizens Union, League of Women Voters and others invite you to join us on November 18, 2016 at a half-day symposium, The Only Way Is Up: A Citywide Discussion to Boost Voter Turnout in New York. This free event will bring together policy makers, advocates, organizers, educators, and thought leaders to address the urgent issue of low voter turnout throughout our state, which currently ranks third lowest in the nation. In the days after a consequential national election, join us to assess New York State’s current voter turnout, and identify ways we can work together to improve it.
REGISTER HERE (or email Rachel Bloom at: rbloom@citizensunionfoundation.org)
The Only Way Is Up: A Citywide Discussion to Boost Voter Turnout in New York, marks the launch of Citizens Union’s new ten-year campaign to turn around New York’s abysmal voter turnout. The symposium will examine why voter turnout is so bad in New York State, what policy changes are needed, what administrative structures and processes need an overhaul, and what education and cultural innovations can help. Coming out of the symposium, Citizens Union will develop a coalition-informed road map and planning document to lay out a campaign to boost New York voter turnout, including examining ideas of pilot programs from around the country to test some of the methods identified at the symposium to improve voter participation. We will disseminate the road map to diverse stakeholders and invite them to join the campaign. Citizens Union Foundation will collaborate with other advocacy groups that are already engaged in voter turnout work, and will also reach out to community organizations that could establish community structures to create and support consistent voter engagement.
REGISTER HERE to join us at this important launch event, and help boost voter turnout in New York!
Symposium Agenda
8:00-8:45 Breakfast and Mingling
8:45-9:00 Welcome Remarks
9:00-9:30 Keynote Remarks
9:30-11:00 Plenary – Why is Voter Turnout in New York So Low:
Election Policy and Practice in New York
11:00-11:15 Transition to Panels
11:15-12:45 Concurrent Panels
Proven and Successful Ways of Increasing Voter Turnout in New York Communities
Partisanship in New York and Its Impact on Elections
12:45-1:00 Transition
1:00-2:00 Lunch, Featured Speaker, and Next Steps
This event is proudly co-sponsored by New York Law School * AALDEF * Common Cause New York * Generation Citizen NYC * Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law* League of Women Voters of New York City * League of Women Voters of New York State * New York Immigration Coalition * NYPIRG * Open Primaries * Reinvent Albany. List still in formation.
