#Vote4Yourself and #Vote4Me

Election Day is less than a week away. The final push is on to get out the vote.

And there is work to do. Gallup projects that voter turnout will be lower than 2004 and 2008:

U.S. voters have not been quite as engaged in the 2012 election as in the two that preceded it, even before Sandy. However, their stated voting intentions and reported thought given to the election suggest turnout would likely not revert to the lower levels of 1996 and 2000. If turnout does come in lower this year -- that is, it looks more like 1996 and 2000 and less like 1992, 2004, and 2008 -- that may be another effect of Sandy in addition to flooding and widespread power outages.

As a co-convener of the Philadelphia Coalition on Black Civic Participation, I am partnering with VILLA, Black Youth Vote and Rising Sons to mobilize young voters.

Philip Fitzgerald, VILLA’s Community Engagement Manager, has issued a call to action:

Through “I COUNT,” VILLA gave people the opportunity to register to vote, but that was only half the battle. Election Day is November 6. We need to help get out the vote and inspire young people to get involved in the civic process.

We are recruiting volunteers to canvass door-to-door and at major transportation hubs. There are four shifts available:

• 8:00am – 10:00am
• 9:00am – 11:00am
• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Philadelphia public schools will be closed, but November 6 should not be a day off. From 12:00pm to 4pm, we will have a program for young people at VILLA at Germantown and Chelten avenues. We are encouraging students to use Election Day as a day of service to canvass their neighborhood and tell their neighbors: “Vote for yourself and VOTE FOR ME!”

To join the movement, follow VILLA on Twitter or send a tweet using the hashtag #215GOTV.