As the 2024 election draws to close it is a good time to reflect on our successes.
A
BIG thank you to all 100+ volunteers. You were incredible and made it possible for us to have a very successful election season, with 82.17% ballot return.
Our 2024 election season started on January 24 and finished November 5 with approximately 110+ events. Our outreach continues to grow each year with new volunteers and the addition of new event sites. We try to accommodate all requests as our community learns more about our work.
Lastly,
thank you, to the GOTV Team that makes all this happen. Jean Scribner, Sue Cole, Sue Wright, Paula Rotondi, Betty Barats, Debbi Barnes- Josiah, Barbara Sardarov, Annette Holcomb, Joy Monjure, Jamie Donaldson, Minda Rae Amiran, and Eileen McCracken.
These individuals help organize events, and provide valuable experience/support/ and insight on how we can better serve the community and bring Voter Services to ALL parts of Whatcom County.
This is truly a TEAM effort. Thank You.
Here are some stories from our volunteers:
Betty
On September 17, we staffed a voter registration table at BTC from 9am to 4pm. We registered or changed addresses for 12 students. One that was particularly memorable was a young woman, probably in her early 30s, who had just become a citizen. She was so excited, this being her first opportunity to vote, and she had emigrated here from Ukraine. I was as excited as she was.
Jaime
Just in time for Halloween, Jamie Donaldson and Paula Franck staffed a table at the Bellingham Goodwill. It was a fruitful morning with six voter registrations that ran the gamut of types: brand new citizen, former felon, new to the state, updated address, pre-registration. Great conversations, too.
Annette
When Jean and I helped a 17-year-old woman register so that she could vote next year, she told me she wanted to vote for her father and that her father wasn’t allowed to vote due to committing a crime. We were able to explain that he really could vote again. We shared one of our handouts with her and encouraged her to talk with him about registering online so that he would receive a ballot and vote this year.
Cam
While at Blaine Harbor Harvest this October I had a woman approach our LWV table. She said, ”I want to register to vote. I have been trying to for the last 4 years and didn’t know where to go”. A woman brought her 18 year old son to the table so he could register and vote in the November 2024 election. It was our first time at the event and really wondered if we would get much action!
LWVUS Board Member
I have a good League friend whose daughter is a freshman at Western, and she needed help in getting her ballot submitted. She saw the Bellingham League's table at Western, and you all helped her. She appreciated it.