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Thank You Election Heroes

Thank You Election Heroes

November 2, 2020

Members of the Harvard and Cambridge community have been working tirelessly over the past days, months, and year to ensure that Harvard students, faculty, and staff have all the information and resources they need to participate in the 2020 election. Election Hero Day, today, November 2nd, is a chance for us to say, thank you. We appreciate the late-nights, early-mornings and endless hours you spent helping us and our democracy. 

There are hundred of people to thank, but here...

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12 Days and Counting

12 Days and Counting

October 22, 2020

Our updates are normally authored by one member of the Challenge coalition. We do this to show the diversity of people and initiatives happening across campus. But today, we couldn't pick just one person to talk about our work in the final days until November 3rd. Over the next twelve days, all of us, together, are working to make sure members of the Harvard community can cast their ballot.

Every voter is unique and needs different support, however, we've received some common questions over the past few days: 

  • What do I do if my mail...
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National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day

September 22, 2020

All of us are dedicated to building a civic culture here at Harvard by helping our peers register and vote. With only 41 days (!!!) until the November 3rd elections, we're doing this work day in and day out. So, what makes today, National Voter Registration Day (NVRD), so special? 

National Voter Registration Day first started in 2012, and has since grown to become the staple, non-partisan, nation-wide mobilization effort that we look forward to each year. It's a day of energy, excitement, and joy. Just look on social...

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Celebrating #HerVote

Celebrating #HerVote

September 17, 2020

On the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, we are encouraging people to engage with women in their lives by asking: Are you going to participate in the 2020 election? Why? How?

The #HerVote initiative, hosted by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, invites you to participate in the #HerVote civic engagement project. 

#HerVote brings together students, adults, and elders around the issue of political participation. The initiative aims to provide a platform for women and girls to share...

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Powering the Polls

Powering the Polls

August 20, 2020

Election season is in full swing, but this year we’re facing new, unique challenges due to COVID-19. Among them is an anticipated severe shortage of poll workers on Election Day. A majority of those staffing the polls are in an age demographic that makes them more vulnerable to the threats of the pandemic, with many likely to opt to stay home for safety’s sake.  

While the above may sound alarming, there is still time to tackle this predicament. If you’ve thought about what you can do to help make democracy work better, becoming a poll worker...

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Computer featuring the Harvard Votes Challenge website

Let's talk digital

August 11, 2020

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about working in political communications. At the end of the day, it isn’t about crafting a hilarious tweet, responding with the perfect GIF, or taking the most beautiful photo. It’s about building a relationship with voters and giving them the information they need to get offline and cast a ballot — that’s it.

That’s why I’m excited to share a new digital series that we’ve been working on with you. We’re tapping into all the virtual organizing tools at our disposal — from social media and newsletters to text banks...

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We're hiring paid graduate student organizers!

We're hiring paid graduate student organizers!

August 10, 2020
The Ash Center seeks two Graduate Assistants to coordinate the growing civic engagement program work at the Harvard Kennedy School. The ideal applicant will have a passion for civic engagement and democracy.  As well as experience in organizing, communications and event planning.
How do we recruit volunteers?

How do we recruit volunteers?

July 22, 2020

Like many of you, I’ve long been passionate about civics and politics. During an internship in high school, I was thrown into helping run a voter registration drive and recruit volunteers. I built a passion and experience for voter engagement and brought it with me to college.

Since my first days with HVC in Fall 2018, recruitment has been the tool that makes our work possible. Having served as Harvard College’s HVC Director of Membership and Director of Organizing, I have learned so much. The work of Harvard Votes Challenge would not be possible without the massive...

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