Reaffirming the NAACP Commitment to Voter Empowerment and Election Protection

WHEREAS, the NAACP is the largest and oldest civil rights organization that has fought for voting rights and the protection of such rights for all members of our society; and

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 24 million African Americans who are eligible to vote in the United States; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 64.4 percent of all eligible African Americans are registered to vote; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 56.3 percent of all registered African Americans report voting on Election Day; and

WHEREAS, individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 report the lowest percentages in voter turnout; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to bridge the gaps in voter registration and voter turnout among African Americans, with special attention to young voters; and

WHEREAS, the members of the NAACP stand poised to mobilize and address the disparities in African American and youth voter registration and turnout.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP stands committed to the development, implementation, and documentation of the Voter Empowerment 365 Plan that includes voter registration, voter education, election administration, election protection, and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts that target African Americans and young voters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will pursue funding to develop an innovative and massive mobilization effort to register voters and maximize GOTV efforts on Election Day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will strategically plan for voter education activities that will contribute to a more informed electorate by providing voters with informational tools and resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will support local, state, arid federal election reform practices that increase voter registration and participation by ensuring that elections are administered in a manner that is inclusive, accurate, and accountable; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association implement voter education, voter registration arid voter motivation programs in all of its regular activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirms its commitment to continuing to partner with organizations and individuals to promote a far-reaching effort that is focused on increasing voter participation; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP will investigate election suppression and election fraud, and continue to build strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations.