This fall, voters in New York State will head to the polls for some important elections. While we are in a state of economic uncertainty and devastating budget cuts, it is more important than ever for us to use our votes to elect policymakers who will advocate for the issues that affect our communities.
Drop the Rock has partnered with the Bronx Defenders, to co-sponsor the 2010 edition of Better Ballots NY, a nonpartisan voter education guide for New York voters. The guide is produced by the Bronx Defenders’ Voter Enfranchisement Project (VEP), which is coordinated by Dawit Getachew, a dedicated Drop the Rock coalition member. VEP is “a non-partisan effort that seeks to encourage participation among historically underrepresented voters and ensure that all communities have a voice in our democracy.”
Better Ballots NY will cover candidates running for Governor and Attorney General, as well as the legislative races in New York City districts that are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. Candidate’s responses to the Better Ballots questions will be published in the Better Ballots NY Voter Guide, which will be widely distributed via its website and partner organizations.
We urge organizations that are partners with Drop the Rock to sponsor the voter guide. Once published, we can publicize it widely and hold candidates accountable to their responses. Sponsors will promote Better Ballots NY to their members or client communities, circulate information about how to access the voter education guide, and, if possible, print out the guides for distribution.
If you have any questions about the guide or if your organization would like to sponsor Better Ballots NY, please contact Dawit Getachew at the Bronx Defenders at dawitg@bronxdefenders.org.


