(CLEVELAND, OHIO – 11/7/2022) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-Cleveland) has teamed up with dozens of local community-based organizations and nonprofits under the leadership of Cleveland Votes, a nonpartisan democracy building and mobilization entity, to help increase voter engagement in the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections.
Under Cleveland Votes’ Equitable Civic Engagement banner, CAIR-Cleveland has engaged Muslim communities throughout Cuyahoga County in an effort to ensure access to the ballot and voter turnout.
Equitable Civic Engagement helps reach voters where they are in culturally relevant and meaningful ways. As such, CAIR-Cleveland chapter has held voter engagement tabling and outreach drives at the following area mosques and community events:
- Islamic Center of Cleveland
- Chagrin Valley Islamic Center
- Islamic Society of Akron & Kent
- Muslim Association of Cleveland East
- Masjid Rasool Allah
- Cleveland State University Muslim Students Association
- National Voter Registration Day
- Westlake Porter Public Library
- One World Day
“Led by Black women, Cleveland Votes is a supportive umbrella organization that knows how to get the job done of promoting equitable access to the ballot while building enthusiasm in the community for what the fruits of true democracy can look like in America,” CAIR-Cleveland chapter Executive Director Julia Shearson said. “We are honored and proud to be selected as one of the many partners of Cleveland Votes.”
In addition to registering community members to vote and helping to facilitate absentee ballot requests, CAIR-Ohio Cleveland Chapter has sent postcards to more than 8,000 community members in northern Ohio reminding them about the importance of voting as part of a vibrant democracy.
The outreach campaign, entitled “Do Not Surrender the Vote!” is based on a quote from Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in the US Congress and the first African American to serve in Congress from Minnesota who one said, “Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.” The campaign also includes public service announcement videos to engage Muslim voters.
Click the links below to watch our public service announcements.
We Can’t Afford to Stand Idle!
Make Sure Your Voice is Heard!
Voting and Election Questions with Imam Tadese
Vote Like Your Life Depends On It!
For more information on Cleveland Votes click here.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter Executive Director Julia Shearson, 216.830.2247, jshearson@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com
