As we all prepare for the mailers in our mailboxes, the ads on our social media feeds, televisions and radios, and the phone calls and text messages that make us all aware that campaign season is officially underway, I invite KCL readers to remember that our country’s democracy is calling you to stay engaged even when it can feel exhausting.
It’s easy to get burned out on the campaign mudslinging, bad news cycles, and contentious dinner conversation but we are called to show our American spirit and determination despite all of that.
Your Kansas electric cooperatives know that with more than 42 million co-op members in 47 states, electric co-op members can stand together as a powerful voice in our federal, state and local elections.
That is why the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the service organization that represents more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-member electric cooperatives, started the Co-Ops Vote program in 2016.
Since that time, Kansas electric d-ops have been actively engaged in this non-partisan campaign that strives to inform both coop consumer-members and candidates running at all levels of government about issues that are important to America’s electric co-ops and the communities they serve. From the need for affordable and reliable electricity, to broadband access, to the economic development needs most critical for rural Kansas, our Co-Ops Vote program is a great reminder of why we must continue to use our voices at the ballot box.
This year, I invite you to take the pledge to be a co-op voter. You can learn more by visiting www.vote.coop. This resource also provides information on registering to vote, learning about candidates running for office, and getting background on what Co-ops Vote is all about.
As the county and our state look to re-open following a pandemic shut down, now is a great time to mark these important upcoming dates on the calendar and to make your plans now to engage in our nation’s democratic process.
- July 14, 2020: Last day to register to vote in the primary election
- July 28, 2020: Deadline to apply to the county election office for your mail-in ballot
- August 4, 2020: Kansas’ Primary Election Day
- October 13, 2020: Last day to register to vote in the general election
- October 27, 2020: Deadline to apply to the county election office for your mail-in ballotNovember 3, 2020: General Election Day
As a part of our Co-ops Vote efforts this year, many Kansas communities will have special ways to engage in National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Sept. 22, 2020. NVRD is a non-partisan civic holiday celebrating our nation’s democracy. The holiday was first observed in 2012, and has quickly gained momentum. To date nearly 3 million voters have registered through NVRD programs. For more information on you can visit: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/.
