How to get involved in the Georgia runoff elections

Right now, all eyes are on Georgia.

That’s because the outcome of the upcoming Jan. 5 runoff elections will determine control of the U.S. Senate, with hopes of meaningful action on climate, voting rights, equality, reproductive freedom and racial justice hanging in the balance.

Here’s the problem: Runoff elections in Georgia have historically favored Republicans. But the incredible work this November by all the amazing groups in Georgia, including CREDO grantees Fair Fight, Vote Forward, Vote.org, the ACLU and others, proved that organizing, fighting voter suppression and turning out young voters and voters of color were big keys to flipping the state.

And that’s where your help again could make a big difference. We’ve put together a quick guide on how you can get involved in the Georgia runoff election, no matter where you are.

Volunteer with Fair Fight

CREDO grantee Fair Fight, the organization founded by progressive voting rights activist and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, helped register 800,000 voters in Georgia and played a major role in flipping the state in November.

Now, with the focus on Georgia again, Fair Fight is mobilizing voters for the January runoffs — and they’re looking for volunteers to call and text voters in the state to make sure they have the information they need to make a plan to vote either by mail or in person.

To get started, you’ll need to attend one of the many Zoom training sessions being held over the next few weeks. Sign up to attend a training and start volunteering with Fair Fight here.

Help turnout young voters with Sunrise Movement

Young people in Georgia voted in record numbers in November, and our allies at Sunrise Movement are working hard to replicate that turnout with younger voters this January. Whether you’re new to phonebanking or a seasoned activist, you can join one of their phonebanks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 – 8pm EST to contact young Georgia voters and ensure they vote in the upcoming election. 

Sign up here to help turnout young voters with Sunrise Movement. 

Mobilize Latinx voters with Mijente

November election exit polls in Georgia found that Latinx voters overwhelmingly rejected Trump and Republican Senate candidates, so their voices and votes will be critical to the outcome in the January runoffs.

CREDO grantee Mijente is working to turnout Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican and other Latinx voters across Georgia, so if you speak Spanish (although not required), you can help the organization with its mobilization efforts ahead of Election Day.

Learn more and sign up to help mobilize Latinx voters with Mijente.

Turnout Black voters with the NAACP

The NAACP doesn’t mince words on its civic engagement website: “Black voters in Georgia will decide the future of America” and “Black voters in Georgia are the most powerful voters in America right now.”

The NAACP is recruiting volunteers from out-of-state and within Georgia to boost Black voter turnout. Sign up to help with their text and phonebanks, join their poll watching efforts or provide legal protection for voters, if you’re qualified.

Apply to become an ACLU Poll Worker

If you live in Georgia, you may be able to apply to become a poll worker in your county through the ACLU of Georgia. While the organization is currently recruiting previous poll workers who participated in the recent election, you still have the opportunity to apply through the ACLU’s website. 

Learn more about becoming a poll worker and how to apply here.

Georgia Voter Resources from Vote.org

If you vote in Georgia, our friends and grantee partners at Vote.org have all the information, rules and deadlines you need to request your ballot, vote early or in person, track your ballot, provisional ballots, and what to do if your ballot is rejected.