Project Overview: Go Vote Absentee

Sam Friedland says voting by absentee ballot is too difficult for college students. His solution: www.govoteabsentee.org. Sam initial proposal that was submitted at the conference asks for $9,810 in funding to carry out his project. GoVoteAbsentee allows students to type in their zip-code and get instructions on how to fill it out and where to send it to.

In his presentation, Sam said:

"One of the ways to get money out of politics, it to bring people into politics. It's all about accountability." 

In his proposal, Sam writes:

"In the 2004 presidential election, approximately 125 million Americans voted, comprising about 64% of the eligible electorate. That leaves approximately 70 million Americans eligible to vote who did not have their voice heard. This represents 70 million voices who, once they vote, can call their legislator and demand accountability. A record number of citizens engaged in an election, furthermore, could effectively remind politicians exactly who employs them."

"The most effective way to provide that personal attention is through a multi-media system that offers new media solutions—live chat and email support—alongside a traditional media such as phone service. We will provide this service on weekends and during the afternoon, evening, and night-time hours. This is both a time that fits students’ natural schedules and a time when traditional support avenues, like their local election official or the election protection hotline, are unavailable. In addition, we will mail applications to users—like some college students living in dormitories—who do not have easy at-home access to a printer."