Elections & Voting

Civic Resources Guide: Tools for Democracy and Voting

This comprehensive resource guide helps citizens become more informed and engaged in democracy. It includes links to voter registration tools, election information, and ways to contact elected officials. The guide covers voter guides, poll site locators, and registration deadlines. It also lists organizations that help with civic education, immigration assistance, and community organizing. Key resources include Ballotpedia for election information, the League of Women Voters for civic education, and NYC Votes for voting guidance. The guide emphasizes the importance of reading, researching, and asking questions as informed citizens. It provides both national resources like the Census Bureau and local New York-focused tools. Additional sections cover money in politics tracking through Open Secrets and data resources through USA Facts. This serves as a one-stop directory for anyone wanting to participate more actively in their democracy.

How to Vote in New York Elections - Registration and Absentee Info

This guide helps New York voters understand how to register and vote in elections. It explains voter registration deadlines, including special rules for the 2020 primary that was moved to June due to COVID-19. The guide covers absentee voting, which became easier during the pandemic - voters could request absentee ballots by citing potential COVID-19 exposure as a temporary illness. It provides step-by-step instructions for getting absentee ballot applications in English and Spanish, with important deadlines for both primary and general elections. The guide also lists specific polling locations in Forest Hills, Queens, and explains why New York has separate primary dates for federal and state elections. Additional resources include candidate information websites and details about NYC's charter revision process. This comprehensive resource helps voters navigate New York's election system and exercise their right to vote safely and legally.

Civic Learning Center Blog with Community Stories

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is an Alabama organization that helps people learn about civic engagement and community building. Their blog shares stories about their programs and community work. They run the Jean O'Connor-Snyder Internship Program where college students work with local organizations to help communities. They also have a Civic Educators Fellowship that trains teachers to bring civic learning to classrooms. Recent blog posts tell stories about mental health support in rural areas, downtown revitalization in Jasper, Alabama, and animal welfare officers who care deeply about their communities. The center partners with universities and other organizations on federal grants to improve civic education nationwide. They focus on deliberative dialogue, which means helping people have thoughtful conversations about important community issues. The blog shows how young people can make a difference in their communities through internships, volunteer work, and learning about civic engagement. Many posts feature personal stories from interns and community members who are working to solve local problems.

Troy Student Wins Award for Teaching Kids About Civic Life

Lauren Cochran won the 2025 Jean O'Connor-Snyder Award for her work at Troy University in Alabama. She helps college students get involved in their community through programs like Campus Kitchens, which recovers food and gives it to people who need it. She also runs programs that teach middle school kids about democracy and citizenship. Her office helps college students learn civic skills while serving their community. They run a summer camp for younger kids to learn about government and being good citizens. The university also has a food pantry that helps students who don't have enough food or school supplies. This pantry serves 50 students each week and gives out over 500 pounds of food and supplies. Students say the pantry helps them do better in school because they can focus on learning instead of worrying about basic needs. The award honors people who teach others how to be active citizens in their communities.

2025 Speakers at David Mathews Center for Civic Life

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life announces its 2025 Civic Institute speakers who will share expertise on community engagement and civic participation. Chandra Scott from Alabama Possible leads statewide efforts to expand college access and remove barriers to prosperity through education and advocacy. Chuck Holmes of Alabama Humanities Alliance brings journalism experience and believes storytelling can drive positive change in communities. Dr. Joe Sumners, former director of Auburn University's Government & Economic Development Institute, helps communities solve complex problems through citizen engagement and strategic planning. Mike Waters from Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform works on banking and financial services issues. These speakers represent different approaches to strengthening civic life - from education access and humanities programs to community development and constitutional reform. Their presentations will likely cover topics like citizen engagement, storytelling for social change, community problem-solving, and removing barriers that prevent people from participating fully in civic life. The event appears designed for community leaders, civic organizations, and citizens interested in learning practical approaches to building stronger, more engaged communities.

South Dakota GOP Race Shows How Elections Work

This article explains how a Republican primary election works in South Dakota for the 2026 governor race. Four candidates are running: Larry Rhoden (the current governor), Toby Doeden (a business owner), Jon Hansen (a state lawmaker), and Dusty Johnson (a congressman). The main issue they're debating is property taxes - how much homeowners have to pay on their houses. Each candidate has different ideas about how to lower these taxes. Some want to raise sales taxes instead, while others want to eliminate property taxes completely. The election will be held on June 2, 2026. If no one gets 35% of the votes, the top two candidates will have another election in July. This shows how the democratic process works - voters get to choose their leaders, and candidates must explain their ideas to win support. The article also explains how political experts rate the race and what the candidates' backgrounds are.