The APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign continues as the state of Georgia prepares for the Jan. 5 runoff between Republican incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and their Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock in a race to determine who will claim control of the Senate.
The APS Office of Social Studies developed the APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign in partnership with When We All Vote (WWAV), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and reaching every American through strategic partnerships.
The campaign aims to educate and inspire APS students and families about the importance of voting and honors the late Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, who once said, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” Coordinator Janean Lewis is the project developer for the campaign and has enlisted social studies teachers and student ambassadors to support the efforts.
“It’s important that our students stay engaged and immersed in the election process,” Lewis said. “The Senate runoff provides a great opportunity for them to experience civic engagement first hand. Students see, in real time, the impact that their participation in the democratic process is having on their community and the nation at large. Georgia had one of the highest percentages of youth voter turnout (20%) in the Nov. 3 General Election. Atlanta Public Schools students played a major part in that. It’s a great time to be an APS student. This is history in the making.”
The Good Trouble Student Voter Registration Drive, held Sept. 22 through Oct. 5, resulted in 576 new voters being registered for the general election on Nov. 3. Campaign efforts garnered an additional 25 new voters ahead of the Dec. 7 deadline to register to vote in Georgia’s runoff elections.
Upcoming APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign activities and events include:
- Early Voting Promotion, Dec. 14-18, 2020
- NAACP and NACA are providing free transportation for students who need to get their Voter ID and/or vote in person. Call 888-495-6222 to schedule a ride. Masks are mandatory.
- Early Voters Event, Dec. 17, 2020, 3:30-6 p.m. at the Northwest Library at Scott’s Crossing (2489 Perry Blvd)- NOTE: This event was rescheduled due to inclement weather on Dec. 16.
- This event is sponsored by When We All Vote and The Gathering Spot.
- The purpose is to encourage students and families to vote in person early or drop off their mail in ballots. Students, families, and stakeholders will be asked to vote early on this day at locations within their county.
- Social Media Campaign for Voter and Election Education
- Updated information and links to resources.
- Stakeholder e-blasts and community outreach via social media.
- Digital photo booth for voters to capture images of #APSGoodTroubleVoter in action (via OMG Booth).
- Good Trouble Student Ambassadors
- Continue to share educational materials with peers and community members.
- Good Trouble Readers, the Student Ambassadors’ reading project for elementary classes, will take place Dec. 15 and 16.
- A list of children’s books was secured and delivered to the Student Ambassadors. They will read to small groups of elementary school students who are currently participating in the District’s intervention process.
- The Readers will visit classes to engage with students. They will also share information with elementary classes about the importance of voting and provide information for parents/stakeholders.
- Election Day Activities, Jan. 5, 2020
- Student and staff volunteer at the polls.
- Active support of APS polling sites with highest total active voters (PPE and refreshments).
For more information about the Senate runoff:
- My Voter Page (GA Secretary of State) for personal voter information (registration status, mail-in application status, poll locations, district, etc.): www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
- Fulton County Resources (voter guides, sample ballots, early voting info, candidate information, poll worker info. etc.): www.fultoncountyga.gov/services/voting-and-elections
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