There is a great need for this right now, Secretary of State William Galvin said at a press conference held to announce the campaign's kickoff. Galvin said that while initiatives such as the so-called Motor-Voter Law are aimed at increasing voter registration, not enough is being done to get those already registered to the polls. Not showing up to vote is, in effect, a decision to be powerless, he said. Madhu Sridhar, who heads the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, said the Web site -- evolved from focus groups held on college campuses across the state, allowing students to weigh in on Web site design techniques that successfully attract the attention of young voters. Dancing words, surveys and quizzes offering prizes are some of the features that came from those conversations. Organizers are also using the momentum of the campaign to press for other voting reforms, including improved training of poll workers and more accessible voting registration options. Voters who want to participate in the March 2 presidential primary must register by Feb. 11.
Web-Based Voter Registration Campaign
Web site used as the centerpiece to attract inactive voters in the commonwealth of Massachusetts
As the deadline for registering for the March 2 presidential primary draws nearer, the League of Women Voters launched an effort to boost voting among young people, minority groups and Massachusetts' newest citizens. Using a flashy Web site as the centerpiece of their attempts to lure inactive but eligible voters, organizers and state leaders say they are trying to break down cumbersome information scattered throughout the Internet to make it easier for voters to understand their options. For those who are just forgetful or are simply in need of a gentle prodding, reminder e-mails will be sent out to anyone who signs up.
There is a great need for this right now, Secretary of State William Galvin said at a press conference held to announce the campaign's kickoff. Galvin said that while initiatives such as the so-called Motor-Voter Law are aimed at increasing voter registration, not enough is being done to get those already registered to the polls. Not showing up to vote is, in effect, a decision to be powerless, he said. Madhu Sridhar, who heads the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, said the Web site -- evolved from focus groups held on college campuses across the state, allowing students to weigh in on Web site design techniques that successfully attract the attention of young voters. Dancing words, surveys and quizzes offering prizes are some of the features that came from those conversations. Organizers are also using the momentum of the campaign to press for other voting reforms, including improved training of poll workers and more accessible voting registration options. Voters who want to participate in the March 2 presidential primary must register by Feb. 11.
We need to look at same-day registration, said Leonard Alkins, who heads the NAACP's Boston chapter. Kerry Costello, president of the League of Women Voters of Boston, blamed inadequate training of [poll] workers for miscommunications and misunderstandings that often discourage new voters. Better training, Costello said, would help bring voters back to the polls. Meanwhile, minority groups are looking for ways to use the campaign to stimulate greater interest in political issues in their communities. "Our community is still learning to exercise our right to vote," said Serene Wong of the Asian Outreach Group. Galvin said he hopes the League of Women Voters' efforts will also reduce Election Day complications that inevitably surface, with voters showing up to vote in the wrong polling location, or not realizing they are not registered to vote. This is the time to resolve those issues, he said.
There is a great need for this right now, Secretary of State William Galvin said at a press conference held to announce the campaign's kickoff. Galvin said that while initiatives such as the so-called Motor-Voter Law are aimed at increasing voter registration, not enough is being done to get those already registered to the polls. Not showing up to vote is, in effect, a decision to be powerless, he said. Madhu Sridhar, who heads the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, said the Web site -- evolved from focus groups held on college campuses across the state, allowing students to weigh in on Web site design techniques that successfully attract the attention of young voters. Dancing words, surveys and quizzes offering prizes are some of the features that came from those conversations. Organizers are also using the momentum of the campaign to press for other voting reforms, including improved training of poll workers and more accessible voting registration options. Voters who want to participate in the March 2 presidential primary must register by Feb. 11.
