New voters Evelyn Malvestuto, Nolan Giovagnoli, Paris Jones, Merik Pohl, and DeMario Steele at the Voter Virginity press conference

Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) launched its “Voter Virginity” campaign (view the campaign at www.votervirginity.com) to inspire first-time and lapsed voters this past Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Cleveland. The event, which was held on National Voter Registration Day, drew a crowd of several dozen people as well as the media to celebrate the joy and power of voting. Five young adults and first-time voters attended the press conference! This innovative, unique campaign is currently being promoted throughout Northeast Ohio on eight billboards, three bus routes, and social media. Additionally, GCC will promote the campaign through neighborhood canvassing every weekend beginning Sept. 28 through Election Day on Nov. 5.

Read the press release here.

Watch the Facebook Live video.

Voter Virginity campaign hopes to seduce people into going all the way (to the polls) (Signal Cleveland)

Greater Cleveland Congregations launches Voter Virginity campaign (Axios)

Spread the word by signing up to be a Neighborhood Captain: Contact Vikki Jackson at vikki@gcc-ohio.org or 216/528-1112 or click here.

Check out highlights from the press conference below.

Rev. James Crews, pastor, Antioch Baptist Church (right): “Many Clevelanders, they don’t see the point in voting. Thus, you have a low turnout across the city, across the county. And this is what they say: the political system doesn’t impact my daily life. My vote doesn’t make a difference. Now, research has shown us that young voters have growing power. But growing power leaves them fatalistic. Everyone agrees voting is important to be a good member of society, but we still have low voter turnout. There’s a huge vacuum of joy in voting right now. So in true GCC style, we said we have to shake this up … We’re going to start a movement and inspire voters.”

Rev. Ryan Wallace, pastor, Fairmount Presbyterian Church (left):

“If there’s one topic the church doesn’t talk about often enough, it’s voting. But there’s a close second and that’s sex. I will vote because I have the power to shape the future. I will vote because I want elected leaders who share the vision for our community’s future. I will vote because this is our community. Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a joy. Vote for joy, vote for our future, vote like it’s your first time.”

DeMario Steele, GCC intern (right): “I’m here because I’m sick of seeing politics tear apart friendships and families. We’re blessed to be alive in a time when our opinion matters. We have the ability to vote for what we want … It’s something we here at GCC believe should be celebrated. Voter Virginity is about bringing some much-needed joy into the depressing world of politics. Voter Virginity is about giving first time voters a reason to be excited. Voter Virginity is about celebrating the hard fought right to vote.”

Paris Jones, GCC youth leader (center): “When I first started canvassing, I was so scared that I’d mess up. But as we went door to door, I eventually got the hang of it. I see how the residents were impacted and inspired by group of youth coming to the door and talking about issues that not only impact Ohio but also the country. Today we’re here talking about voting for first time. I think the term ‘Voter Virginity’ is bold and risky because it connects to young people. We’re always thinking outside the box and experiencing things for the first time."

Vikki Jackson, Neighborhood Captain coordinator (center): I’m a conservative minister, and I gotta tell you, this campaign slogan caused me to pause and say, ‘Shut the front door.’ However, after much thought in the perilous time we find out country in, I think Voter Virginity is exactly what we need. We are in desperate times and desperate times call for desperate measures. Yes, it’s risky, it’s bold, but it calls for us to get off our duff and vote. My first time voting made me feel grown, powerful, independent, by being part of something bigger than me.”

Rabbi Josh Caruso, Congregation Mishkan Or (center): “When my kids were little, voting was a family holiday. I wanted them to see me exercise my right to vote my conscience, vote for our future. We talk with our family about intimacies, and the intimacy of the ballot box is just as important. Just as we should have the ability to make sound and sacred choices with respect to our bodies, so is the vote a sacred instrument to elect representatives that lead according to their values.”