Forget the candy. This Halloween in Dearborn, it's all about getting voter turnout.
Community nonprofit ACCESS will host its second Trick-or-Vote event on Oct. 31, encouraging Dearborn voters to head to the polls Nov. 6.
More than 100 volunteers in costume will meet at the Arab American National Museum on Wednesday at 5 p.m., to prepare to canvass Dearborn neighborhoods to remind people to vote. Their goal is to knock on 3,000 doors to distribute bi-lingual “Know Your Rights” material in Arabic and English.
Following the canvass, volunteers will regroup at the museum for an after-party with a DJ and music, a scary movie and snacks.
Rachid Elabed, ACCESS civic engagement and field coordinator, is organizing the event.
“This is great, nonpartisan, fun way to encourage young people, new citizens and all registered voters to engage in the democratic process and get out the very important message to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6," Elabed said. "This is one of the most important elections concerning the Arab American community and we want everyone—particularly new voters—to be informed on the voting process and their rights.”
The public is welcome to attend. There is no cost, and families are welcome.
Trick-or-Vote is a nonpartisan volunteer effort that began in 2004 in Portland, Ore. In 2008, it involved 30 organizations in 35 cities—including Dearborn. Costumed volunteers knocked on 100,000 doors reminding people to vote.
Those interested in participating can RSVP to Rachid Elabed at 734-652-3303 or via email at relabed@accesscommunity.org.
cheryl
4:43 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I don't know how to feel about this...one one hand, it's important to remind people to vote. On the other hand, I don't feel Halloween should be hijacked for this purpose.
Jessica Carreras
4:44 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Interesting point, Cheryl. Would you be surprised to open your door for a trick-or-treater and get handed election materials instead? It's a unique idea, that's for sure.