As the dust settles from last week’s election, we know nonprofit leaders across the nation are reflecting on the implications of the incoming administration and its policies on their work. What does it mean for nonprofits working in the refugee resettlement space? What about nonprofits working on health access, housing, or food security? What about nonprofits working on equity and access issues? Will dramatic changes in federal services drive new surges in client needs? Uncertainty breeds anxiety.
Though these questions and more will continue to swirl, it’s important to take time to rest and recharge, take advantage of the holiday season and spend time with family and friends. As we return to our respective roles, we can take this moment of pause to listen, reflect, and if needed, retool. And after all of that much-needed self care, be recharged and ready to carry on your nonprofit’s important work and mission in the face of whatever challenges and opportunities may come.
That’s what we are doing at Nonprofit VOTE. We know the work of building a strong and inclusive democracy – in partnership with nonprofits like yours – is not defined by one election, one office, or one individual. Our commitment to the values that brought us this far is unchanged. Nonprofit VOTE has been doing this important work since 2005, and we will continue our work with you for many years to come.
While Election Day is behind us now, votes are still being counted in many areas. But as of this writing, we know voter turnout was exceptionally high; the election appears to have been extremely secure; there were no large-scale threats that jeopardized the count or those doing the counting; and all signs point to the sort of peaceful transfer of power that underpins our democracy. The essential respect for the process endured.
Thanks to all who went out and cast their votes. To all the poll workers and election officials across the nation, thank you for the work you did and are continuing to do. And thanks to the nonprofits who worked to make sure your own communities exercised their vote. As always, the work continues.
Sincerely,
Brian Miller
Executive Director
As of November 13, the Univ. of Florida Elections Lab is estimating that 155,547,700 Americans voted in the 2024 general election, which represents 63.6% of the Voting Eligible Population (VEP). This is just 3M short of the 158,481,688 who voted in the 2020 election (65.9% of VEP), but significantly higher than the 136,787,187 Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election (59.2% of VEP) according to the American Presidency Project at UCSB.
