Join the "500 Women Scientists Vote" U.S. 2020 initiative

This election year has brought unique challenges and changes to how we register and vote in the US. 

The good news is that we can help. 

In 2020, many US 500 Women Scientists pods and members were active in getting out the vote in their communities. We’re excited to build on that this year by sharing what we’ve learned and identifying ways we can make the most of our time and energy between now and November.

We’ve started a new partnership with Vote Forward to reach and encourage potential voters from the safety of our respective homes.

Pods will also be hosting screenings of the inspiring documentary Storm the Gates while we write letters to voters. 

We’re amplifying the great work of our long-time allies at Science Rising, March for Science, and When We All Vote. You’ll see their resources and events in our guides and calendar below!

We’re keeping things simple for you with our own resource guide for registering and mobilizing voters. 

Now is the time to get yourself and your community registered, and to make plans to get to the polls and to get out the vote. And join us on the 500wsPODS Slack under #US2020 to share what you’re doing!

We are taking action around the country in the months leading up to the US election day in November. Check this page for an updated list of initiatives and events from 500 Women Scientists and our partners!

Now announcing our new partnership with Vote Forward!

Vote Forward and 500 Women Scientists are working together to increase civic participation by sending letters to voters to encourage them to make a plan and get to the polls. 

Why VoteFWD? Their letter writing strategy has been proven effective for increasing voter turnout by replicated, randomized trials with control groups. It’s Easy and Fast, with templates, addresses, and a handy online platform all prepared for you. All you need to do is print, complete, fold, sign, and mail.

How do you get started? 

• Create an account here. It’s quick to sign up, and we can track our impact!

• Get approved to send letters in your zip code. This can take as long as a day, so plan ahead!

• Build off of VoteFWD’s easy letter scripts to write a personal letter to a voter. We’ll have writing tips and the voter’s name and address all ready for you!

• Get your letters ready and mail them on our target date! VoteFWD uses voter behavior research to select when to send

Visual learner? Watch this video to see our platform in action!

Pod party planner? Here’s how to get ready for Virtual Letter Writing!

Looking to do more? We are too! Meet some of our other amazing partners in action:

• Get your community registered to vote! At When We All Vote, you’ll find great tools and pledges to make you a registration hero for your family, school, and community!

• Get informed about healthy voting: Public health and elections experts have created Healthy Voting to share voting rules and health guidance for voters. 

Storm the Gates is a film about three women who decided to run for office after 2016—the type of leaders who are finally making our government look more like the people it serves. And when women run, women win!

We will be hosting a week-long screening of the film  Storm the Gates from October 10 to 17 and we’ll be writing letters to voters while we watch! 

Sign up here to view the film and here to join our letter-writing event. If you are planning to join our letter-writing efforts, make sure you sign up early for Vote Forward, our partner for writing letters to voters. If you or your pod need supplies like paper, stamps and printer ink, you can request reimbursement for supplies here.

We want to see women scientists engaging in the democratic process and leading discussions about policies that impact their communities. Here are resources to help our 500 Women Scientists members and pods get involved during the 2020 election season.

• Candidate surveys are a non-partisan way to get your candidates' positions on issues that matter to you. Science Debate provides a science policy questionnaire, but grassroots groups and constituents (like 500WS pods!) are essential voices that get candidates to respond. When candidates provide their responses, pods can publish them as part of voter education and mobilization efforts.

• Several organizations are conducting non-partisan voter registration and mobilization drives around the country

  • The March for Our Lives is conducting a massive youth voter mobilization drive in partnership with the following organizations:

  • The League of Women Voters has more than 700 chapters around the country that work on registering and mobilizing voters.

  • The Union of Concerned Scientists has a guide on Voting and COVID-19, with resources for learning and action to ensure we have a free, fair, and safe election.

• Since we are a 501(c)3 organization, we are obligated to stay nonpartisan. But that doesn't mean we can't advocate for policies that support our values. Bolder Advocacy has put together a useful checklist for what we can and cannot do as a nonprofit to serve as a guide.

• 500 Women Scientists pods can take part in voter education and mobilization efforts.

  • The Personalized Ballot by the League of Women Voters is an excellent resource to learn where candidates stand on issues.

  • Science Debate has posted candidates' answers to science policy questions.