Alameda Korean Presbyterian Church

In our democracy, the ability to vote is the most powerful tool that a citizen can wield. Yet across California, millions of people neglect to reach out and grab that power. During Governor Schwarzenegger’s recent special election in November of 2005, only 49.6% of registered voters turned out to vote, and this figure does not include the millions of potential eligible voters who still have yet to register. Studies show that in each election in which new voters are registered, 50% will go on to vote in the next election.

Many people in our community refuse to accept this lack of participation. Pastor Myong Bae Choi of the Alameda Korean Presbyterian Church is one of them. Realizing that many of the poorest and newest residents in his community were not exercising their right and responsibility to vote, Pastor Choi and his congregation decided to become involved.

Studies show that in each election in which new voters are registered, 50% will go on to vote in the next election.

He started by attending workshops held by our Social Justice Program and FAITHS Initiative to educate nonprofits and congregations on how to register voters in their community. These workshops are part of an overall strategy of the Foundation’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Mini-grants Program. By offering quick-turnaround grants from $500 to $5,000 to grassroots organizations and local churches, these groups are able to engage in voter turnout, registration, and voter education. The Program especially targets low-income residents, people of color, young people, and new citizens.

The seeds of our GOTV Program were the efforts by many in our community to educate minorities and youth on the impact that Proposition 54 (which would prohibit the state from classifying any person by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin) would have on their lives. They came to us for funding and we responded by hosting a vigorous and exciting convening. As a result our GOTV Program was born.

In a joint effort with the FAITHS Initiative, GOTV provided grants to organizations that registered voters for the 2004 general election. These organizations were responsible for 20% of all the newly registered voters in the counties served.

Nonpartisan voter education is essential to creating lasting increases in voter turnout. Studies show that in each election in which new voters are registered, 50% will go on to vote in the next election. We see this as a longterm effort to build the rolls of engaged voters in the Bay Area. Through the GOTV Program, our partners provide clear, easy-to-access information that encourages active participation in our democratic process.