I want to help register new voters in Pittsburgh; who can I contact?

September 26, 2024 3:06 PM

I am from out-of-state, but I am free to go there to help register new voters.
posted by ebesan to Law & Government (7 answers total)

There are a few events left that the Black Political Empowerment Project needs volunteers for per their website, though I don’t know whether they’re looking for non-locals.

PUMP also does work in this space and may know who needs volunteers.
posted by Stacey at 3:17 PM on September 26

Swing Left has a list of canvassing events but they are more targeting to getting out the vote than voter registrations. You can search here and enter the city or zip code to see what they have planned.
posted by metahawk at 3:59 PM on September 26

Assuming you're a Democrat, check out Field Team 6. They target Dems.
posted by gigondas at 5:20 PM on September 26

There will be a Pittsburgh Dems office. Allegheny Cty Dems. Call them. Explain what you want to do, they should welcome you enthusiastically (I am managing a regional Dem office). Dems in Maine, affiliated with the national office, are well-organized and extremely responsive.

The Dems have the best info on voters, are doing good targeting but MoveOn, SwingLeft, WomensMarch and others are active. Pittsburgh has lots of colleges - lots of young voters.

Ask the Dems to find you housing with a nice local Dem, or maybe even give you housing/ perdiem payment.

Pro Tip. An ironing board is fast and easy to set up/ take down/ carry, and can be set at a comfortable height for filling out forms. A letter from VP Harris today said when I ran my first race -- for District Attorney in San Fransisco -- I took three things with me everywhere I went: An ironing board, a roll of duct tape, and a sign that read: "Kamala Harris, a voice for justice."

Thank you for your commitment and action.
posted by theora55 at 6:26 PM on September 26

Please check the registration rules before you go.

Our city clerk is having to reject lots of registrations because out-of-state volunteers aren't getting the forms filled out right. (I hate those forms, for what it's worth as a longtime election official.)

It's not wholly the end of the world because my state still has same-day registration, but... please check the registration rules.
posted by humbug at 8:09 PM on September 26

Besides the state rules, check the county where you expect to work. You might have to qualify for a specific county.
posted by NotLost at 8:26 PM on September 26

You can also drive voters to the polls during early voting and on election day. I was really hoping to be able to do this but I probably can't. They definitely need volunteers!
posted by Threeve at 7:43 PM on September 29