NEWARK – Project Ready, the Newark-based non-profit organization which has championed vote-by-mail as a more inclusive and equitable voting process, is launching a multi-faceted campaign to help Newark residents make the shift to a 100% mail-in ballot system in New Jersey’s first all vote-by-mail election on May 12th, including the launch of NewarkVotesByMail.org. Today – April 21st – is the deadline to register to vote for the May 12th election and the day when the Essex County Clerk’s office is expected to begin mailing out ballots to voters.

“Only 9 percent of New Jersey’s votes were cast by mail in the last presidential election, but our upcoming election will be 100% by mail, so for most voters this will be a new process in which one wrong move could result in a rejected ballot,” said Shennell McCloud, Executive Director of Project Ready. “Mail-in elections have proven to increase voter turnout in states like Washington and Oregon and we’re hopeful that many Newark residents will use this opportunity to exercise their power and vote from home, but we need to educate people about how this election will work differently if we expect voters to participate.”

On March 19, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order postponing special elections in March and school board elections scheduled for April 21st to coincide with non-partisan municipal elections on May 12th and for all elections on May 12th to be held solely via vote-by-mail ballots. On May 12th, the City of Newark will hold an election for the Newark Board of Education and approval of the Newark school budget. All registered voters in Newark will receive a mail-in ballot, which must be returned by May 12th.

Project Ready is working to educate Newark residents on the mail-in ballot process, to ensure they have received their ballots, know how to fill out and return their ballots, and understand the importance of their vote.  Project Ready has launched a website, NewarkVotesByMail.org, which includes an instructional video, and will be running digital ads, sending mailers, and calling and texting Newark residents to make sure they cast their ballots. The site will include information in both English and Spanish.

“The coronavirus has disproportionately impacted communities of color, and it’s easy to feel disheartened by everything that’s happening in the world right now,” added McCloud. “This is an opportunity for Newark residents to stand up, speak out, and shape the direction of our schools and our city while staying safe in their homes. We hope every Newarker will use their power and cast their vote by mail.”

About Project Ready:

Project Ready launched in 2018 as a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots advocacy organization devoted to protecting and expanding high-quality education in urban communities. Project Ready works to close the opportunity gap and improve life outcomes for children by powering communities to demand excellence from local schools through voter outreach, voter participation, and advocacy initiatives.  Last year, Project Ready registered more than 1,000 Newarkers to vote by mail ahead of the last Newark school board election.