Although state and local voting laws vary, many areas allow and even require public libraries to serve as voter registration sites and polling locations. Madison Public Library in Wisconsin is among them. “All 9 of our library locations serve as absentee voting sites,” reports Krissy Wick, Director of Public Services: “Residents can come to the library to vote two weeks prior to each Election Day (even on nights and weekends). This is in addition to the voter registration we do regularly all year. Our libraries now see more voting than our City Clerk’s office!”

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 mandated that states provide broader access to voter registration through state and local agencies. Some states have designated their public libraries as voter registration sites to comply, meaning that in addition to offering information, voter registration forms are accepted from citizens and transmitted to election officials. “When people register to get a library card, we ask if they would like to register or update their voter information,” says Renae Rountree, Director of the Washington County Public Library in Florida.

Many libraries also serve as polling places on Election Day. Paul Kagebein, Adult Services Programmer at the Garland County Library in Arkansas, explains how he began the process of becoming a polling place: “I reached out to the Garland County Election Commission and invited them to see our facility. They agreed it would be a wonderful partnership… The Election Commission is fully responsible for setup and operating of the voting process. We provide the space and adjust our hours on voting day to accommodate the legal polling hours.” Kagebein believes the library is ideal for this purpose: “…hundreds of people come into the library in a given day just to access other resources. It’s a perfect opportunity for a significant number of people to have an easier opportunity to vote.”

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) in New York serves 2.6 million residents, and 20 of their 59 branches serve as polling places for primary and general elections. On Election Day, all branches open for voting offer a Community Open House with coffee and snacks. “Anything to make the process more bearable and welcoming,” explains Nick Higgins, Chief Librarian of BPL. While citizens wait in line to vote, staff offer library card applications. “It’s a great opportunity to get new users in the door, welcome the community, and keep them coming back,” Higgins says. For residents, the library is recognizable and familiar, putting voters at ease.

The process is not without logistical challenges. BPL branches that serve as polling places open at 5am on Election Day and stay open as late as midnight to enable all in line to cast ballots. This requires some adjustment of staff schedules; however, library services are available only during regular library hours. Some public space is temporarily sacrificed for voting equipment and crowds, but there have been very few complaints: People “recognize the importance” of the event, Higgins explains.

For library staff, welcoming voters is an opportunity to “live the mission of the public library” Higgins adds. Two BPL locations will be open for special hours on President’s Day for voter registration. Every visitor will received a pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution. 

Many libraries partner with their local chapter of League of Women Voters (LWV) to provide voter registration services. Slover Library, a branch of Norfolk Public Library in Virginia, contacted their local LWV about partnering to offer voter registration once a month on a Saturday afternoon at the Library. “Our first event registered six customers; updated one customer’s address; and fielded several questions about registering to vote,” reports Josette Dubois, Programs Librarian.

The Voter Education and Registration Assistance Project (VERAP) is a collaboration between League of Women Voters of the Northwoods (LWVNOW) and Wisconsin public libraries serving the same area. Kris Adams Wendt, Public Library Consultant for Wisconsin Valley Library Service, has been “advising and serving as liaison between LWVNOW voter services committee and the wider Wisconsin library community to get the word out about the VERAP tools.”

Your state or local election office can advise on voter services at the library. The American Library Association (ALA)’s guide Libraries and Voter Engagement includes useful resources and steps for getting starting, such as keeping the library’s board and administration apprised and ensuring all staff and volunteers understand local voting laws pertaining to library activities. 

Please see my previous article, Election Year at the Library, for more ideas on engaging voters during the election season.

The post Voting at the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Town and Country Public Library in Illinois has a similar event for both kids and teens. Children vote for their favorite cookie, and teens vote for their favorite pizza. “The library gave out samples of the cookie and pizza that won these junior elections,” reports Roving Reference Librarian Dwayne Nelson.

While no advance registration was needed for these kid-friendly events, millions of adults find out too late that they missed a deadline to register or update their information before Election Day. Some proactive libraries are promoting National Voter Registration Day with programs and displays. The holiday celebrating democracy occurs the fourth Tuesday of September each year.

Madison Public Library in Wisconsin partnered with Local Voices Network prior to their last mayoral election to collect information about concerns of citizens. The program utilized digital hearths to record over 60 discussions and convey perspectives of diverse community members to candidates, policymakers and the media.

Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Virginia conducted a “Speed Repping“ event in which “state assembly candidates were invited to speak with the public in a speed-dating style setting,” according to Tracy McPeck, Adult Services Coordinator. The event was in partnership with League of Women Voters Fredericksburg Area (LWVFA) and other local groups. They also partnered with LWVFA on ‘Civic Lab: Dear Elected Official’, which McPeck describes as “informal lobby tables that engage passersby in discussions on where to vote and how to contact their legislators.”

Many libraries create LibGuides for voters, such as Be A Voter, developed by Reference Librarian Haley Samuelson and colleague Nate Gass of Cook Memorial Public Library District in Illinois: “Our goal was to create a one stop shop for the entire voting process. We are located in a deep purple district and have been pleased that patrons of all political stripes have found the resource useful and neutral,” Samuelson reports.

Young voters tend to be least likely to turn out on Election Day. Matt Imrie creates an interactive display to raise awareness. “I have a display in my teen area encouraging young people to register and have a rotating display of books, a weekly countdown, and a random political term with what it means written in plain English,” explains the Youth Information Specialist for the Gardner Branch of the Johnson County Library in Kansas.

Public libraries often serve vulnerable members of the community, including survivors of domestic violence, whose barriers to voting may include privacy concerns. Miranda Dube, who maintains the Librarians for Survivors website, explains how to help: “Libraries can make sure they provide information on how voting records are public as many survivors may be unaware of the risk of registering to vote. Make sure information about local Address Confidentiality Programs (ACPs) are available.” ACP and Confidential Voter Listings are state-administered programs that enable survivors of domestic violence to vote using a substitute address. The National Network to end Domestic Violence maintains a state-by-state list of such programs.

Lack of a permanent address can be a voting obstacle for people experiencing homelessness. You Don’t Need a Home to Vote toolkit, produced by the National Coalition to End Homelessness, includes tips and a chart of state voter regulations. Nonprofit Votes helps nonprofits engage members in voting and elections, including a starter kit and checklist for remaining nonpartisan.

Wondering who won the kids’ vote at the City of Fairfax Regional Library? Let’s just say the kids didn’t agree with the Electoral College results in 2016, but aligned with adult voting results for the county. And in the local election, Marvel Superheroes beat DC Comics’ team by just 12 votes- proving that every vote counts!

The post Election Year at the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.