Get Out the Vote and Election Engagement Campaign 2022

The Talmud teaches: “Rabbi Yitzchak said: One may only appoint a leader over a community if he consults with the community.” In the spirit of Jewish tradition, we believe that a strong democracy requires it to reflect the values of its constituents — and that each of us has a responsibility to participate in the democratic process.

As the general election approaches in November, we are offering multiple ways for our congregants to get involved in a non-partisan way.

If you’d like to get involved or have questions, please contact Social Justice Program Associate Steven Morris at (212) 877-4050, ext. 263 or smorris@swfs.org.

Stephen Wise's Get Out the Vote and Election Engagement Campaign

Join us in helping to build a stronger democracy. Below please find a schedule of Stephen Wise programs:

Voter Suppression and Challenges to Voting, Tuesday, October 11, 6:00–8:00 p.m.: Panel Discussion on voter suppression and postcard writing or phone banking session
Voter Engagement, Wednesday, October 19, 7:00–8:00 p.m. (Change of Date): Phone banking session
Voting as a Jew, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7:00 p.m.: Panel discussion with Zioness Executive Director Amanda Berman and ADL NY/NJ Regional Director Alex Rosemberg, moderated by Rabbi Sam Natov.
Voter Engagement, Tuesday, November 1, 7:00–8:00 p.m.: Phone banking session
Election Day, Tuesday, November 8: Get out and vote and/or volunteer!
Election Debrief, Tuesday, November 29, 7:00–8:00 p.m.: Election Debrief Panel Discussion

Other Organizations' Get Out the Vote and Election Engagement Programs

Every Voice, Every Vote: Pennsylvania, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.: Join RAC-PA, One PA, and the Thrive Coalition to contact voters in Pennsylvania. During the registration process select our time block and let them know you are part of the RAC by listing that as the community you belong to. No experience is necessary! The evening will start with a brief overview of the script and phone calling tools. All you need is a smile and the willingness to speak with voters. write postcards alongside members of our partner organizations.

Important Dates and Resources

In-Person Voting:

October 8–November 6: Early Voting
November 8: Election Day

To confirm your registration or find your polling place, click here.

Absentee Ballot:

October 24: Request Absentee Ballot Online or by Mail
November 7: Request Absentee Ballot In Person
November 8: Return Absentee Ballot

Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot

Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City absent from the five boroughs, on Election Day.
Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability (temporary illness includes being unable to appear due to the risk of contracting or spreading a communicable disease like COVID-19).
Unable to appear because you are the primary caregiver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.
A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
In jail or prison for any reason other than a felony conviction. This includes anyone who is awaiting grand jury action, awaiting trial, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

Using the online Absentee Ballot Application portal: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/
If you are visually impaired and require a ballot with accessible features you may apply using the online Accessible Absentee Ballot Application portal: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/home/accessible
By going in-person to your local county board of elections
By designating another person to deliver your application in person to your local county board of elections and receive your ballot

You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application here.

Volunteer for Election Protection

We are encouraging everyone to help protect our elections by becoming a non-partisan volunteer. Election Protection is a national, nonpartisan coalition of more than 300 local, state and national partners that seeks to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count.

There’s a role for everyone — whether it’s helping voters from home, assisting voters safely in person, or tracking online disinformation. Sign up today. Election Protection recruit, train, and deploy thousands of volunteers across the nation. These trained, nonpartisan volunteers serve as voters’ first line of defense against confusing voting rules, outdated infrastructure, rampant misinformation, and needless obstacles to the ballot box.

Are you a lawyer or legal professional? If so, you can volunteer with We The Action, a partner organization of Election Protection, where lawyers volunteer to safeguard our democracy, from identifying critical election administration problems in key states to helping our partners register voters and recruit poll workers, to powering large-scale voter protection efforts at polling places and call centers nationwide, and more, so that the voice of every eligible voter is heard.

Become a Poll Worker

Historically, 55% of all New York’s poll workers are over the age of 60, making them especially vulnerable to COVID-19. As a result, there is a significant need for poll workers who are willing and able to assist with the administration of in-person voting during all elections. New York City and State are still recruiting poll workers. For more information to apply, please click here.