This article originally appeared on the SAGE blog.

In preparation for the 2020 election, SAGE has partnered with When We All Vote. This partnership is a way for SAGE voters to help strengthen our democracy by increasing voter participation among all Americans, especially underrepresented populations. With LGBT elders currently facing disproportionate consequences from COVID-19, such as health risks and social isolation, it is more important than ever that we make our voices heard at the polls. Whether you’re an LGBT elder, an ally, or a member of the community, your vote can enact lasting change. Voting is a way for all of us to honor the LGBT pioneers who have been fighting for decades for their right to live with dignity and respect. Now is the time to join SAGE’s advocacy efforts by helping to create an equitable world that values older LGBT people and offers boundless opportunities for our community to thrive.

By being a SAGE Voter, we will remind the country that LGBT elders refuse to be invisible.

 

HOW TO BE A SAGE VOTER:

1 – Visit the When We All Vote Resource Hub

This Hub is your one-stop shop for preparing for the election. With this helpful tool, you will be able to:

• Register to vote
• Request a vote by mail ballot
• Research your ballot
• And more!

Visit the Hub here start making your plan to vote!

 

2 – Apply to be a poll worker

According to a Pew Research Center analysis from 2018, around six-in-ten U.S. poll workers (58%) were ages 61 and older, including roughly a quarter (27%) who were over 70. With LGBT elders at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to making this year’s election as safe as possible for all voters. If you are healthy and able, SAGE is encouraging people to sign up to be trained and work as a poll worker at your local polling location. Visit workelections.com to find how you can apply in your state!

 

3 – Share resources

#WhatMatters2020
Black Lives Matter
BLM’s #WhatMatters2020 is a campaign aimed to maximize the impact of the BLM movement by galvanizing BLM supporters and allies to the polls in the 2020 U.S Presidential Election to build collective power and ensure candidates are held accountable for the issues that systematically and disproportionately impact Black and under-served communities across the nation.

Vote with Pride
HeadCount
At least 1 million people identify as LGBTQ+ and are not registered to vote. If you’re one of them, HeadCount can help you use your voice. And if you are an ally, you can make your voice heard on LGBTQ+ issues by registering to vote.

Pro-Voter Policies
Movement Advancement Project
MAP has developed a series of resources to build understanding of how pro-voter policies help safeguard our democracy and the integrity of our elections, so that every citizen has the opportunity to vote and have their vote counted.

Voting While Trans
National Center for Transgender Equality
As the fight against restrictive voter ID and other voter suppression laws continues, knowing your rights can help you avoid or solve problems at the polls. Check out this helpful tool from the National Center for Transgender Equality to find out what your state’s laws are, what to expect at the polls, and what to do in case your right to vote is challenged.

National Voter Registration Day: Sept 22
National Voter Registration Week of Action: Sept 22-26
Vote Early Day: Oct 24
Vote by mail request deadlines: Dates vary by state. Visit the When We All Vote Resource Hub for deadlines specific to where you live.

 

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Diverse Elders Coalition.