Athens organizations unite for fall civic engagement events

With the town painted red and black, it may seem like a typical autumn in Athens.   Yet football isn’t the only thing on our brains!  There’s a renewed energy in the air, and it’s not just about game day—there’s a surge in civic engagement.

Collaboration is Key!

It’s not just about voter registration; it’s about making sure every voter follows through all the way to the ballot box. It’s a full journey, and we’re here to support that from start to finish.

Together, we’re organizing these events to ensure every voice in Athens is heard. Collaboration is key.  It’s our superpower.  We know we can accomplish more by working together. 

Key Partners

Our efforts are supported by several local organizations, including:

• Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement

• Economic Justice Coalition

• Family Connection-Communities in Schools, Neighborhood Leaders

• Indivisible Georgia District 10

• People’s Agenda

• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens: UU the Vote

• VFW Post 3910 Auxiliary

Upcoming Events

Voter engagement events around Athens are family-friendly, free, and open to the public. These events bring communities together through music, games, cookouts, and resource sharing.

·       Sat., Sept. 28 – Honoring Our Vets; Exercising Our Rights!11 am-3 pm | VFW Post 2910, 136 Glenhaven Avenue, Athens, GA 30606

·       Sat., Sept. 28 – Ready, Set, Vote! Family Fun Day5 pm-8 pm | Dudley Park, 100 Dudley Drive, Athens, GA 30606

·       Sat., Oct. 5 – Level Up! The Future is Yours!11 am-3 pm | Athens Sports Arena, 280 Commerce Boulevard, Athens, GA 30606

·       Sat., Oct. 5 – BBQ & Ballots11 am-2 pm | Fire Station #5, 1090 Whit Davis Road, Athens, GA 30605

·       Sat., Oct. 19 – Family Fun Day: Voter Engagement11 am-2 pm | Iron Triangle ("Triangle Plaza"), 585 Vine Street, Athens, GA 30601

Civic Engagement & Civic Health

Civic engagement isn't just about voting. It also includes volunteerism and civil political discourse, both of which are crucial to building a healthy community. These events foster social connection and contribute to holistic well-being—vital both for individuals and the wider community.

Why does Civic Health Matter?

According to the second edition of the Georgia Civic Health Index (CHI), released in 2019 by Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), and the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), research has linked civic health to:

·           economic resilience

·           workforce development

·           child development

·           adolescent well-being

·           mental health

·           access to opportunity

·           community vitality

·           lower violent crime rates and

·           decreased youth delinquency

·           reduced mortality

By boosting civic engagement, we strengthen not just our democratic processes but also our collective well-being.

The Full Scope of Voter Engagement

While many equate civic engagement with voting, it’s about so much more.

• Voter Education: Ensuring people know how to request absentee ballots, check their precinct, and find early voting locations.

• Voter Registration: Assisting people in accessing, completing and submitting voter registration forms.

• Voter Verification: Encouraging everyone to confirm their registration status, especially since voter rolls can be purged.

Rebuilding Trust in Voting

One of the biggest barriers to participation is the loss of faith in the system—people feeling like their vote doesn’t count. Our goal is to restore confidence that every vote matters.

Georgia will be a key state in the upcoming election, and it’s essential to make sure everyone’s voter information is up-to-date to avoid issues at the polls. Being proactive prevents potential problems on Election Day.

We hope to see you out and about!

Christine Buice

Neighborhood Leader

Family Connection-Communities in Schools

Additional Resources

My Voter Page

Anyone can easily check their information or even register to vote at “My Voter Page.”  Visit  https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ to access the following information:

1. Voter registration status

2. Mail-In application and ballot status

3. Poll location

4. Early voting locations

5. Elected Officials

6. Registration information on file with the county office

7. Sample ballot for the upcoming election

8. Provisional Ballot status

2019 Georgia Civic Health Index

According to the 2019 Georgia Civic Health Index, Georgia shows some of the lowest rates of civic engagement in the nation.

Visit https://gafcp.org/georgia-civic-health-index/ for additional information on this extensive study.