Washington, D.C. – In the last days before the November 5 election, People For the American Way Foundation’s nonpartisan Defend the Black Vote campaign is making its final push to reach 3.5. million Black men, via direct peer-to-peer text messages, for voter turnout in 21 states — Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado.
Building on the success of peer-to-peer texting in the 2022 midterm elections and the 2020 presidential election, the messages will emphasize voters’ responsibility to their community to use their right to vote. Messages will remind voters that their voting history is in the public record. Past iterations of the Defend the Black Vote campaign have shown the effectiveness of this motivational messaging over other approaches. People For collaborated with the Analyst Institute to study the results of the campaign’s last election cycle to further refine it for 2024.
“When Black men come together, we have the power to redefine the future and every individual decision to cast a ballot between now and November 5 has the power to change what comes next,” said People For the American Way Foundation President Svante Myrick. “Voting is an opportunity to challenge the status quo, stand up for justice, and strive for progress. Vote for our freedoms, our families, and our futures.”
“We are excited about the 3.5 million Black men that Defend the Black Vote will reach during this 2024 election cycle,” said People For the American Way Foundation Chief Advancement Officer Roger Vann. “This has been an ongoing effort to encourage civic participation among Black men and our families, in record numbers and for the long term. Defend the Black Vote is a chance to create a legacy that future generations will look back on with pride, and being part of this pivotal moment in history will be a proud moment for all of us.”
In 2020, the first iteration of the Defend the Black Vote campaign sent more than five million text messages to two million Black male voters ages 18-35 in 23 states in the general election. In 2022, the campaign encompassed 15 target states and expanded to Georgia for the Senate runoff with peer-to-peer texting, as well as radio and digital ads.
States chosen for this year’s nonpartisan Defend the Black Vote campaign include those with critical statewide elections or ballot initiatives where African American voters compose a significant portion of the electorate.
Faith leaders with People For the American Way’s African American Religious Affairs are also supporting Defend the Black Vote with an emphasis on building lasting connections in the communities they serve. These efforts include texting drives with church members and college organizations, phone banking, and social media campaigns leading up to Election Day. Local faith leaders will also engage congregations to hold Souls to the Polls events to increase voter turnout.
“Faith leaders involved with People For the American Way’s African American Religious Affairs bring new insights and a positive dynamic to political arenas,” said People For the American Way Foundation Vice President of Campaigns and Programs Raquel Jones. “We’re focused on getting out the vote and engaging communities of color because we know how crucial their participation is.”
About People For the American Way Foundation People For the American Way Foundation, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: http://www.peoplefor.org
