Right now, we are living in some pretty uncertain times. The daily news rolling in plagues communities and workplaces (with some of us now officing at home) with worry and many unanswered questions. So, what now?
One thing we should all remain certain of is the reality that our communities need to heal and rebuild outside of COVID-19. We must continue strengthening our peers and changing the political makeup of today. The work toward equality and fairness cannot cease simply because our lives, for the most part, are moving onward indoors.
Each of us who are able must remain vigilant advocates for whatever issue or issues matter most to us and adapt to doing so from home.
Here are a few ways to do just that:
Update your voter registration
- If you have an Arizona Driver License and/or an Arizona non-operating I.D. card issued by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) you may update your voter registration online.
- Log on to Service Arizona (link is external)
- Select your language preference, then click "Begin/Update Voter Registration"
- Verify your voter eligibility
- Enter your information in the required fields
- Update your address if you have moved, otherwise select No on question A & B and click continue.
- You can now update any other information that has changed, including your name or party preference
- If you are having trouble logging in to the Service Arizona website, you can print off a Voter Registration Form (PDF) and fill it out with your new information. After you finish, mail the completed form to your County Recorder's office and your information will be updated.
- For more information, visit the Arizona Secretary of State’s website.
Fill out your census form
- Participation in the Census by everybody makes for a healthier democracy. If people are not counted, their communities will receive less representation in government and fewer resources.
- Census data informs our nation’s most important decisions, including how the federal government spends $900 billion on critical services like building roads, providing for health insurance, and supporting education. More information here.
Write your Representatives and Senator.
- Though the legislative session is currently adjourned until April 13, this session kicked off with a multitude of terrible bills. From banning trans girls from playing on girls’ sports teams to criminalizing political speech, our civil liberties are under attack.
- If you’re tired of seeing bills like this, email your lawmakers right now and remind them that you’re going to the ballot box with their voting history in mind. Just be sure to research how your lawmakers voted first. Find out how to contact your representatives here.
Set up phone calls or Zoom chats with folks in your community to prep for what’s next
- Right now, everyone might be sequestered to their houses, but that doesn’t mean planning for the future is out of the question. Set up a time to chat with your friends, neighbors, or colleagues and formulate a plan of attack for when it is safer to congregate publicly to tackle your plans for advocacy. Sign up for a free account here.
If you can, watch the news
- Keep informed on what's happening out in the world so you can keep ahead of issues in your community and know when to act. Just make sure your sources are credible, accurate and reputable.
- You can find information on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Get your family involved where it is appropriate
- We know that advocacy comes in all forms and quite frankly, is appropriate for nearly any age. Whatever work you do, be sure to get your family involved – even the little ones! Check out our ACLU coloring pages below that can be printed off on demand. They’re perfect décor for your fridge or home office.
Once colored in, post a photo and tag our Facebook page and encourage your friends to do the same.
We'll get through this, Arizona.