News release
Tell Your Facebook Friends Why You’re Voting
November 1, 2010
Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996
MomsRising Uses Facebook, Email, Word Of Mouth to Explain Importance of 2010 Election, Get Out the Vote
A recent Wall Street Journal article suggested that moms may be too tired and stressed to vote: “The recession has slammed our families, we’re working harder than ever and we no longer care much about voting…All these worn-out moms need to do is stay home to impact the elections.” MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization for moms and everyone who has a mom, is urging moms, dads and others to do just the opposite.
While many people use Facebook to report on what their kids did this afternoon, what they’re having for supper and their family vacations, the organization is hoping to encourage moms and others to use their Facebook status and photos to inspire voting among their friends. MomsRising is encouraging people with Facebook accounts to add a “sticker” to their Facebook profile picture and to post the reason why they’re voting this November.
Facebook newsfeeds on this election eve are being regularly updated with the message, “it's no secret that moms are busy and that we get tired. But we're not letting that stop us from getting to the polls! Check this out and pledge to vote here: http://www.momsrising.org/blog/mothers-sitting-this-election-out/.”
MomsRising also sent email messages to its more than one million members encouraging them to vote and share the reasons why. The email said, in part:
Times are tough and families are hurting. In the coming months, Congress is poised to make important decisions which impact us all, including about whether or not to extend unemployment insurance benefits, whether to continue moving forward with new provisions which will make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage for people with preexisting conditions, and whether we will invest in families who are struggling to make ends meet or instead spend massive amounts on tax breaks for the wealthy.
Reasons are being posted on an interactive map. And include:
“For education, for the environment, for healthcare, and, most of all, for a fair and prosperous future for my children!”
-Sarah, Bozeman MT
“Mine is the only voice my children have in this election.”
-Pam, Universal City TX
“Because I am a Mom, a working Mom, I am pregnant as we speak, I pay taxes & I love my children & want a better place for them to grow up...”
-Jami, Largo FL
“I have a rule: you don't vote, you don't complain... I like to voice my complaints.”
-Sarah, Cozad NE
“Despite the problems our country must work on, it is still a place people die trying to get to. A big part of that is because of democracy,...”
-Lisa, Copper Center AK
“Because it's all about moving forward and not back, my voice must be heard and my family needs my voice...”
-Laura, Salem NH
“This year’s elections are crucial to moms and their families,” said MomsRising Executive Director Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “Their outcomes have the potential to decide whether or not we will get laws that ensure moms and their families can’t be discriminated against in health care, housing and pay. These are not esoteric issues. These are the bread and butter issues that affect each and every one of us. And they are issues that make it important that every one of us exercise her or his right to vote.”