Campaign aims to get rural America voting

The National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) has launched an initiative aimed at getting co-op members in rural America to the polls on election day. On 8 November, America...

The National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) has launched an initiative aimed at getting co-op members in rural America to the polls on election day.

On 8 November, America will vote for a new president, as well as for many state and local government officials. The Co-ops Vote campaign is an attempt to educate members on the issues that could affect them, and to reverse the trend of diminishing votes from rural areas.

NRECA will work with co-ops in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, hosting discussions and attending conferences.

“We want to get people excited about voting,” said Laura Vogel, NRECA senior political affairs advisor.

COV_stacked_Blue (2)“Through Co-ops Vote, we are educating members of issues important to electric co-ops and urging them to act on those issues by casting their vote at the polls. The goal is to see a field of Co-ops Vote badges out there on election day.”

The campaign will focus on a broad range of subjects, including those related to electric co-ops such as broadband service; water regulation; renewable energy; the low income energy assistance program (LIHEAP); cybersecurity; and the hiring of veterans.

Mel Coleman, NRECA president, added: “Many members of congress have no idea what rural America is. Many don’t even have co-op members in their districts.

“Those of us that are in the rural areas, it’s doubly important for us to get involved in the process. You can take the presidential campaign all the way down to the local mayor’s race and you can find issues that are those races that will affect every co-op member.

“And that’s why we must be involved in every one of these races and we must vote.”

In this article

Join the Conversation