Why I Work for Voting Rights

In July of 2019, I retired from a long academic career, and I was ready to begin a new chapter in my life. As I was considering various volunteer opportunities, I attended the URJ Biennial Conference in Chicago in December 2019. I remember attending a panel discussion focused on: "Achieving a 100% Voting Congregation." After I left that session, I remember thinking, "Now that's something we could achieve at Temple Sinai." Shortly thereafter, as we all recall, the COVID shutdown occured. Nevertheless, I was inspired by the story of how a congregation in New Jersey mobilized to make sure everyone in their congregation voted. And, throughout 2020, leading up to the November presidential election, a group of about 8 of us met weekly and directed our efforts to making sure our congregants knew how to vote by mail and how to utilize drop boxes - which were new procedures at that time. As it turned out, about 98% of our congregants voted!

Since 2020, my work with RAC-PA has included voter education and engagement activities regarding: the statewide redistricting in 2022 and the presidential election in 2024. In the most recent mid-term elections, I was asked by a good friend if I had some time to pass out literature at a neighborhood polling place on Election Day. I said, "Sure". The literature that I was passing out was a reminder for folks to vote to retain 3 PA Supreme Court judges who have, among other things, upheld mail in voting. I only worked for about 2 hours, but the voter turnout in this precinct was very high and I was busy. As I approached people to hand them a card, people repeatedly told me: "I know about the judge issue…that's why I'm here!" As it turned out, all 3 judges were retained because I believe they understood this was a very important election and they wanted their voice to be heard loud and clear!

In 2020, we showed up with people power. 

In 2024, we also built relationships with local election officials. 

And now - for 2026 - we must be agile and bold in protecting our democratic process. We will train to take actions like: 

• Serving as poll watchers 
• Escorting vulnerable voters safely to the polls 
• Responding to ICE activity at polling sites or efforts to intimidate voters 
• Offering 'Know Your Rights' trainings in your communities 

The threats of 2026 are similar and different to what we have experienced before. And how we respond will shape the presidential election of 2028. 

We must be vigilant. We must be ready. And we must act together.