A Statewide Block Party for Democracy

Building on the network of partner organizations we connected with during the We The People of Ohio tour, Indivisible Next 2sday Arts is organizing our next Block Party for Democracy, and this time, we're taking it statewide. Communities throughout Ohio will host their own local Block Party for Democracy events: free, family-friendly festivals designed to celebrate civic life and imagine the future of our democracy together through art, conversation, music, and play.

At its core, a Block Party for Democracy is about building community and giving people a joyful, low-pressure opportunity to relax, be creative, and have fun.

This fall, that also means an important get-out-the-vote component - think of it as a pep rally for the opportunity to vote itself: an energy builder that helps connect the idea, even subconsciously, that your voice and your vote matter, and that you have a direct hand in the future of our country. This isn't only about registering new voters - it's about motivating those who are already registered to follow through and cast a ballot, by helping people zero in on the issues that matter to them and putting the tools and resources in front of them to actually vote.

We're planning this statewide weekend of festivities for September 18th through 20th - your group can pick whichever day (or days) works best for you. Not every group needs a full-scale festival to take part - our new Micro Block Party for Democracy is a scaled-down version of the event, built for groups who want to host something simple during that same weekend of action, whether that's a backyard gathering, a table at a local park, or a spot outside a coffee shop or community center, etc.

If you're an Indivisible group in a battleground state, additional support may be available - contact your state leadership for more information.

The Block Party for Democracy Guidebook walks you through how to plan your own event, with a menu of tested activities you can recreate as-is or use as inspiration to create your own: chalk your hopes onto The Democracy I Want Wall, decorate a flag at Flags of Change, hand out trophies at Civic All-Star Trophies, set up a Hero of Democracy Selfie Booth, or invite people to add a page to The People's Assembly, a collective art piece that grows with every stop. Run a civics knowledge test game-show style, decorate bandanas at Dogs for Democracy, lead the oath at Super Citizen Kids League, offer prizes and kids' activities, and give people something to make and take home. Have resources and people on hand to help attendees who are already registered find a ride to the polls, request a mail-in ballot, or learn how to vote early in person, and offer voter registration for those who need it too. The guidebook includes planning timelines, supply lists, and everything else you need to host your own event.