STRATEGIC OUTREACH PLAN TO PROMOTE A VOTING TOOL FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a national, nonprofit, and non-partisan organization that connects the hip hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. HHC’s Respect My Vote! Campaign empowers first time voters to cast their ballots, educates people with felony records on their voting rights, fights back against voter suppression, and advocates for the voting rights of various communities. To expand its efforts, HHC launched the Respect My Vote! Tool to help returning citizens—people with a felony or misdemeanor conviction—determine if they are eligible to vote. As part of its Respect My Vote! Campaign, HHC engaged a Capstone team to inform updates for the tool in three target states: Kentucky, Louisiana, and Virginia. The team researched legislation on voter eligibility requirements, gathered data on areas with the most returning citizens, and identified potential partners to help promote the Respect My Vote! Tool in the target states. Building on its findings, the team delivered a strategic outreach plan that incorporates recommendations to promote HHC’s Respect My Vote! Tool.