Organizers need to receive their well-deserved credit for flipping key battleground states that pushed the Biden-Harris ticket over the required 270 electoral votes.
Nationally, organizations like the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, When We All Vote, and countless others energized voters around the nation to get to the polls.
On local and state levels, an intricate symphony of organizers and groups, in neighborhoods and large cities did the work needed to have more voices at the polls in the 2020 election. Here are a few.
Michigan
Detroit Change Initiative is a non profit organization dedicated to getting resources to the people of Detroit. Their work extends from voter mobilization to youth mentorship.
Michigan United is an organization that seeks to "build the power our communities need to win the justice they deserve."
The Detroit Association of Black Organizations is a coalition of organizations that have the vision of "creating power for the Black community."
Pennsylvania
Working Families Party is credited with helping to organize a coalition of voters around the city for this election.
Philly We Rise is an organization dedicated to getting people involved in local organizing. They provide resources and information about what organizers are doing around the city.
Amistad Law Project was founded in 2014 and is a group of lawyers and other legal experts dedicated to advocating "the recognition of human rights of all people."
UNITE HERE Philadelphia is a coalition of unions that represent thousands of laborers in the city.
Georgia
Stacey Abrams & Fair Fight Action have already began organizing for the state's Senate runoff races in January 2021.
Black Votes Matter was founded by LaTosha Brown and Clift Albright with the purpose to "increase power in our communities." The organization believes "effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny."
The New Georgia Project was founded by Nsé Ufot and is credited with getting over half a million people registered to vote in Georgia.
Voices To Watch
It’s important to emphasize the work and efforts made by groups who are forwarding democracy by getting more people to the polls and figuring out ways to alleviate the vulnerability of marginalized groups on the ballot. These races were called on Election Day, but not without a fight.
Florida
Florida Rights Restoration Coalition seeks to bring voting rights back to formerly incarcerated people in Florida, specifically with Amendment Four.
Dream Defenders is a Florida-based organization founded in 2012 with multiple project initiatives designed to organize Black and brown communities around the state.
Julius Irving was featured in an episode of The Daily podcast by the New York Times for his work registering voters across the state.
North Carolina
You Can Vote is an organization that educates, registers, and mobilizes voters across the state. Their website includes voting guide information, resources, and ways to get involved.
College Organizers across the state of North Carolina are also applauded for their efforts in volunteering and organizing during the election.
Texas
Texas Organizing Project is "a membership driven organization whose mission is to build Black & Latino power through community organizing and civic engagement."
Mississippi
The notoriously red state saw many state level changes in this election, including a new state flag without a confederate emblem.
Black organizers at the University of Mississippi are credited with ongoing efforts in the state to alleviate the impact of voter suppression.
Mississippi is also home to the iconic Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer who worked tirelessly to bring Black residents of Mississippi to the polls.
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