The right to vote is as American as pie. In a perfect world, all U.S. citizens would have full access and understanding of this right. But many Americans are still left out due to factors like gender, race, age, and health. The nonprofit sector has a responsibility to utilize its time, resources, volunteers, and expertise to advance the greater good — including making sure that every citizen can have a voice at the ballot box.
One group, steadfast in this mission, is the League of Women Voters, an Independent Sector member. The nonpartisan, grassroots organization takes on voter engagement to help ensure all citizens are represented in our democracy.
Founded in 1920 at the onset of the women’s suffrage movement, the League of Women Voters has evolved to tackle voter rights and information for underrepresented communities across America. The League consists of over 700 local chapters, which are crucial to voter education given the unique nature of election rules within each state and local government, as well as a national chapter.
From toolkits to informative events, the national and local leagues partner closely to successfully engage voters. This year, the League has launched another innovative partnership in a space accessible to everyone: libraries.
As a “third place” — a space between work and home — libraries naturally align with the League’s focus on equity, civic education, and access to information. With this natural alignment enters “Reader. Voter. Ready.,” a partnership between the League and the American Library Association to promote education and action for local, state, and national elections.
Adam Ambrogi, chief of external affairs at the League of Women Voters
“We are really trying to bring in and encourage a whole new group of folks that are not traditionally focused on voting, elections, democracy, into this process,” said Adam Ambrogi, chief of external affairs at the League. With this partnership, the League hopes to provide resources and education to these groups, using the important community space of libraries.
“Reader. Voter. Ready.” launched in April 2024 as part of the overarching campaign from the ALA to promote civic engagement. The main goal of “Reader. Voter. Ready.” is to ensure that library workers are registered, informed, and ready to vote in federal, state, and local elections, so that they can support their communities in doing the same.
With resources like voter engagement guides, tip sheets, and informative one-pagers, “Reader. Voter. Ready.” commits to utilizing libraries as the cornerstone for civic engagement they have always been. The two organizations have also worked to distribute the League’s nonpartisan voter information guide, Vote411, in ways that librarians can support the public with good, nonpartisan voter information and tools.
“Reader. Voter. Ready.” is an extension of existing relationships between many libraries and voter leagues. For example, the Cincinnati, Ohio League has a nearly 100-year relationship with the Hamilton County Public Library — hosting informative sessions, providing books and resources, and offering voter guides. In Amarillo, Texas, libraries host civics 101 classes for the members of the public, taking participation and engagement education directly to their communities.
In this partnership, each library can weave its unique interests into its campaign vision. “Some leagues and libraries may be excited about the power of art and music,” Ambrogi explained. “Other folks like debates and hard-headed facts to educate people. … We want folks to find out what inspires them to improve civic life in their community.”
As libraries navigate budget cuts, political polarization, and censorship, librarians continue to do extraordinary work. They volunteer and juggle multiple roles, collaborating with League leaders amid a tough civic climate where nonpartisan efforts can be controversial. They advocate for democracy, striving to increase voter access and civic knowledge, in even less politically glamorous locales. Over the next six months, hundreds of library events nationwide will reach countless individuals, underscoring the vital role of government employees, nonprofit workers, and volunteers in strengthening civic life.
With a historic election around the corner, the League and the ALA are doing everything they can to help support groups that have historically been excluded from voter information.
“It’s just tremendously exciting, gratifying, and reinforces the importance of people working for the nonprofit sector, people who are volunteers and are really pitching in, finding innovative ways to help community, build community, and a stronger civic life,” Ambrogi said.
This election year, partnerships like “Reader. Voter. Ready.” are not just timely, but essential. As we confront challenges of misinformation, voter disenfranchisement, and historic political campaign changes, collaborations like the one between the League and ALA become even more critical to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts. The commitment of these organizations to civic engagement demonstrates the spirit of democracy itself — inclusive, informed, and dedicated to a future where every American can confidently exercise their right to vote.
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Jessi Mitrovich is the communications and marketing associate at Independent Sector.
