Advocates for Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads

Tomorrow is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

Poll workers strengthen our electoral process and helps America vote. Before National Poll Worker Recruitment Day on 1/25 go to elections.virginia.gov/officer-of-elections/ to learn more!

Verify your voter registration today!

Happy ! Go to vote.elections.virginia.gov to register or check your voter registration and be .

American democracy requires our constant care, vigilance, and full participation to determine the course and conscience of our Union.

A Proclamation on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week, 2021 | The White House For 234 years, America's Constitution has guided our growth, shaped our progress, and defined us as a Nation of sacred laws and fundamental values. 

The election has begun, but you can still register to vote, or update an existing registration until Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Go to https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Early voting for the Nov. 2 election has begun! You can vote in person or apply for a mail-in ballot. Find out more at elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting or contact your local voting registration office, elections.virginia.gov/localVRO.

Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month proclaimed in recognition of contributions of Hispanic and Latino Virginians

Governor Northam Encourages Virginians to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Governor Ralph Northam, 73rd Governor of Virginia

With the People is based on the idea that democracy is strengthened when citizens, institutions, and governments find ways to work with one another on public issues that impact our lives. Learn more about the With the People initiative and accompanying resources at www.nifi.org/en/with-the-people.

With the People With the People is designed as an ongoing initiative that encourages sustained practices of public deliberation on campuses and in communities across the country.

The 8 public hearings preceding map drawing are finished, but it's not too late to let the Redistricting Commission hear your voice.
Do you think the Commissioners should draw new maps "from scratch", or start with the existing disricts?
Do you think they should hire a nonpartisan map-drawing expert to draw new maps or draw the maps themselves?
You can use the new public portal on the VA Redistricting Commission website to share your thoughts:

Virginia Redistricting I ask that you not start your line-drawing from the heavily gerrymandered existing maps. No matter how much these lines are tweaked, starting from this baseline inevitably will bake gerrymandering into the final product. Your legal counsel has suggested this option because they believe there is not....

Make sure you are ready to participate in democracy!

Celebrate the 4th of July by making sure you are registered to vote. Register or update your voter information at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov.

"The return to normal operations is also sparking discussion about transparency and civic engagement, and whether some aspects of virtual meetings should be kept once the pandemic’s over.
"Some have suggested updating the state’s transparency laws to give everyone more flexibility to participate in public meetings remotely. Others see a key difference between allowing citizens to be involved remotely and letting officials stay remote and shape policy through a screen or a speaker."

Governance via Zoom is coming to an end in Virginia. Should it? - Virginia Mercury Public bodies will have to transition back to in-person meetings after June 30, the expiration date of the state of emergency Gov. Ralph Northam declared at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

Tuesday, July 20, 2pm in Hampton

These public hearings are especially important if you live in a community that should not be split up! Let the Commission know so they don't dilute your voting strength.