MORE THAN A MILLION VOTERS REGISTERED
ACORN Continues Historic Mobilization of new voters
Unprecedented registration of “unlikely voters” linked to issues that matter

New York, New York (October 13, 2004) – Backed by an army of volunteers and neighborhood activists working 12-hour days and enlisted from the untold ranks of the “unlikely,” the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has delivered more than 1.1 million voter registration cards to state and county election offices throughout the country. Record new registrations have been reported in cities from Philadelphia to Miami, and in states, from Arizona and Ohio to Pennsylvania and Florida. ACORN, which began its historic grassroots voter registration campaign in July 2003, claims the nation’s largest voter mobilization operation, reaching low income and minority communities that are their constituency’s base.

ACORN’s voter participation effort has netted unprecedented numbers in the same neighborhoods where it has for years won issue campaigns around living wages, education and predatory lending policies. With all the focus on “undecided voters,” the 34-year old grassroots organization is calling attention to the “unlikely voters” who have been unrecorded in most national polls.

“We are committed to ensure that working people have a voice in this election and beyond,” notes Maude Hurd, ACORN’s national president. “Our members and community organizers have collectively walked thousand of miles in communities, knocking on doors and convincing their neighbors that they could make a difference by registering and turning out to vote on Election Day. But the key to our success is that they know we will be there after November 2, no matter who wins the election.”

In the last weeks before the election, ACORN will continue to build upon its success by educating and mobilizing their constituency – many from the ranks of new and disaffected voters who do not traditionally show up on Election Day. In a massive “Count on Me” campaign, 10,000 ACORN members, leaders, staff and volunteers will be deployed in neighborhoods across the country. A massive outpouring of phone banks, fliers, door knockers, and lawn signs will accompany this effort.

Founded in 1970, ACORN’s mission is to empower working people to have a voice in the political process. The largest community based organization of its kind, ACORN members include 700 neighborhood chapters in 75 cities with over 150,000 low and moderate income families. To receive registration figures or arrange an interview with national or local ACORN spokespersons, contact Jack Pannell at 202-833-9771, ext 116.

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