Media Contact

Janna Farley, jfarley@aclu.org

October 7, 2020

With less than a month until the 2020 election, Fargo voters will be encouraging their friends and neighbors to cast their ballots during a Get Out the Vote Rally on Saturday at Island Park.

Local organizations and community leaders are joining forces for the nonpartisan civic engagement event, hosted by OneFargo, to ensure North Dakotans have all the information they need to vote this year.

“The decisions made in the Oval Office, the United States Congress, the North Dakota Legislature and every other level of government affect the lives of all of us,” said Dane DeKrey, ACLU of North Dakota advocacy director. “But decisions really get made by people who show up and vote – which is why casting your ballot this year, whether that is in person on Nov. 3 or absentee – will be critical.”

Voting absentee may be the safest option for many this year during the COVID pandemic and the ACLU of North Dakota will be providing voting rights information and absentee ballot applications at Saturday’s rally.

“Voting is paramount to a healthy democracy, but it’s only effective if we take the time to make our voices heard at the ballot box or absentee,” said Wess Philome, one of the leaders with the OneFargo movement. “We want to ensure everyone is prepared and encouraged to exercise the power of their vote on or before Election Day.”

For everyone’s health and safety, masks will be required and social distancing protocols will be followed at the Get Out the Vote Rally.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Fargo Votes Rally

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10

WHERE: Island Park Gazebo, 302 7th St. S., Fargo

FOR INFORMATION: Details on Facebook

About the ACLU of North Dakota

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of North Dakota is part of a three-state chapter that also includes South Dakota and Wyoming. The team in North Dakota is supported by staff in those states.

The ACLU believes freedoms of press, speech, assembly, and religion, and the rights to due process, equal protection and privacy, are fundamental to a free people.  In addition, the ACLU seeks to advance constitutional protections for groups traditionally denied their rights, including people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit communities. The ACLU of North Dakota carries out its work through selective litigation, lobbying at the state and local level, and through public education and awareness of what the Bill of Rights means for the people of North Dakota.

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