On September 11, 2024, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with Citizen University and Arizona Town Hall, sponsored by Pettitt Wealth, produced A Civic Event. Generously hosted at the Acre, 40 community members came together to share whether they feel well-informed about issues in Arizona elections and where they typically get their information.
The group then delved into deeper conversations about the issues most important to them when deciding how to vote in Arizona elections. They further discussed their thoughts on voter turnout in Arizona speculating on why they think some people don’t vote. They were asked: What are ways to engage people in the voting process?
With lovely music played acoustically on guitar by David Oxford and a delightful charcuterie table, guests were motivated to share and participate. Book ended with inspiring performances, one an original poem written and read by Mary Flatt, the other an astounding solo by Autin Watts, the encouraging and informative civic message was delivered by Tara Jackson, of Arizona Town Hall. The event was well attended and well received.
An interactive exercise posing this question was answered in numerous ways:
How do you think Arizona's politics affect national elections?
Answers included the following:
- “Arizona is a swing state and is pivotal”
- “[It] depends. If the ballot counting is manipulated, the results will not be accurate.”
- “Being that we are a swing state, we have opposing perspectives on issues around immigration, abortion, the economy, and the war. I think divisive perspectives can be a challenge.”
- “No comment”
- “Heavily”
- “Arizona controls ⅛ of the swing state vote.”
- “Being a swing vote state, we wield a powerful say in national politics. And with that comes great responsibility to vote.”
- “It may turn the current majority over.”
- “Arizona politics is essential to the overall growth of our country. Vote. Vote. Vote.”
- “Our demographic trends foreshadow national ones.”
- “Picture a thunderstorm hitting an ocean with a sun behind the clouds.”
- “Being a border state, Arizona presents a unique perspective.”
Some key takeaways from the discussions included the following, as composed by Arizona Town Hall:
VOTER TURNOUT IN ARIZONA (GROUP Consensus Report)
Voter Turnout in Arizona is dismal –especially in the primaries which have such a big impact.
People don’t vote because they are overwhelmed with the candidates and the issues. People take voting for granted and often think their vote doesn’t matter. We should spread the word about how it does matter and encourage all people to vote by empowering them with the knowledge of and the value of voting. We also need to provide people with reliable sources so they can make informed decisions about who to vote for. We need to recognize that it can take research and time to make an informed vote—we need to encourage people to make these efforts and convince them of why it is so important and valuable to our communities and to our country.
We should spend more time in schools letting our kids know how important voting is and how to be an informed voter. We should have programs beginning in grade school and continuing in high schools, and in our colleges and universities. In high schools and colleges, we can have a voter drive like a blood drive to increase education and involvement. We can also increase knowledge and interest by talking about local elections and how these impact the everyday issues that everyone cares about.
We can engage people in the voting process by letting them know it’s OK to vote on just one part of the ballot if it’s overwhelming. We can also support their efforts with resources that will help them make an informed decision. We need to respectfully spread the news about the importance of voting –regardless of how someone chooses to vote.
The elections systems can also make a difference in encouraging people to vote and in allowing them to feel that their vote has an impact. Specifically, we should support changes to the primary system so that people’s votes have more impact and so that they are involved earlier in the process, both earlier in age and earlier in the election cycle.
We need to educate people about the power of their vote and come from a place of positive influence and encouragement. We can each make a difference by talking to our neighbors in a positive supportive and encouraging way about the importance and the power of voting. We can each be the model of or an influencer for positive change.
“We can each make a difference by talking to our neighbors in a positive supportive and encouraging way about the importance and the power of voting. We can each be the model of or an influencer for positive change.”
The next free civic event, open to the public, will be October 9, 2024 at 3:00PM. The location is TBD.
If you would like to contribute to a future event by way of poetry, art, music, space, delivering a civic oriented message, or sponsorship, please reach out to Elaine Kessler Elaine@gilbertchamber.com 480.941.6321