Party at the Ballot Box
Mobilizing Black Women Voters
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Party at the Ballot Box
Mobilizing Black Women Voters
About this book
How the Party at the Mailbox efforts in 2020-2024 led by Black Girls Vote used celebrations of community to increase voter turnout
Black voters continue to transform America's electoral landscape and can play a powerful role in determining the outcome of elections. In Party at the Ballot Box, Melissa R. Michelson, Stephanie L. DeMora, and Sarah V. Hayes explore the impact of celebratory voter mobilization campaigns led by Black-led organizations on Black turnout, particularly as more states embrace voting-by-mail.
Focusing on the Party at the Mailbox (PATM) initiative, coordinated by Black Girls Vote, Michelson, DeMora, and Hayes underscore what, exactly, motivates Black voters to show up to the polls. Using community-based informational and celebratory packages of materials, and with a mixed methods approach that includes randomized controlled trials, surveys, interviews, and focus groups, they show us how the PATM pilot increased Black turnout in Baltimore by double digits in the 2020 primaries. Despite voting by mail while sheltering in place, PATM made voters feel part of something bigger than themselves—that they were voting as a community. The successful pilot led to further PATM efforts in Atlanta, Baltimore, Detroit, Richmond, and Philadelphia between November 2020 and November 2024.
Ultimately, the authors argue that Black Americans vote as a celebration of community, and that cultivating that sense of community is an effective means of increasing Black voter turnout. With a foreword by Nykidra Robinson, founder of Black Girls Vote, Party at the Ballot Box provides insights into Black voter turnout and its larger implications.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Foreword by Nyki Robinson
- 1. A History of Partying to the Polls
- 2. Black Identities and Black Turnout
- 3. Baltimore Votes
- 4. The PATM Roadshow
- 5. Skinny Sleeves
- 6. Voting for Duty, Voting for Joy
- Conclusion: Come Join the Party
- Acknowledgments
- Appendix
- Notes
- References
- Index
- About the Authors