My Hope. My Voice. My Vote.

June 2017 - “It was in November 2008 that I first had the opportunity to vote,” Onyeka Obiocha of Hartford reminisced. “As the results came in, I was struck by the power of what I took part in. I was powerful that day.”

In 2016, Main Street Community Foundation joined the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, other community foundations throughout the state and the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy in undertaking a marketing campaign to promote civic engagement in Connecticut and encourage residents to vote in the 2016 elections: "My Hope. My Voice. My Vote." As you may know, voter turnout, especially among low-income residents, is not optimal: turnout in Connecticut for the 2012 presidential election was 46 percent among families with incomes less than $35.000 versus 72 percent for families with incomes of $75,000 or more (2016 CT Civic Health Index, DataHaven).

The campaign, which began in September and ran through Election Day, sought to remind people of the value and good feeling of voting. This nonpartisan initiative featured short first-person videos, one of which featured Onyeka Obiocha, each telling a personal story of their voting experience and the importance voting holds for them. In addition, information about voting in Connecticut was released, including how to register to vote, how to find your polling place and how to obtain an absentee ballot.

And remember: Your vote is important.