This story was originally published by the 19th.
Olympic track and field star Allyson Felix is helping moms vote in this election.
Felix, who has been an outspoken advocate for parents, is partnering with the nonpartisan organization Chamber of Mothers to raise awareness for child-care support available to parents voting in North Carolina, New York and Los Angeles this election cycle. This summer, Felix secured the first Olympic child care center.
In North Carolina, Felix and Chamber of Mothers are promoting a program through the nonprofit Politisit that will reimburse up to two hours of child care for parents heading to the polls. Parents just have to fill out a Google form with information on what care they will need and how much it will cost. In western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction at the end of September, Politisit will reimburse up to a full day of care.
Caregivers, especially single mothers, are one of the biggest groups of nonvoters in the country.
In Los Angeles, Brella, a child-care center known for its flexible hours, will be offering up to a full day of free child care for kids 3 months to 6 years of age. Similarly, in New York City and Westchester, select Vivvi child care centers will offer up to a full day of free care to caregivers who are voting.
Bumo, a marketplace for parents to find flexible child care in California, and Smart Sitting, a platform for parents to find babysitters in New York, are also each donating $10,000 in child-care services that parents can access by signing up through Politisit.
A new website is available for caregivers who want to book free care though Politisit and its partners. It includes additional free spots in Southern California, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, New York, Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
“This election, you don’t have to choose between voting and motherhood,” Felix said in a statement. “This election, you can do both.”
Caregivers, and especially single mothers, are one of the biggest groups of nonvoters in the country. Many say they feel “defeated, or that their vote doesn’t make a difference,” said Erin Erenberg, the CEO and founder of Chamber of Mothers. Others cite the potential challenges of standing in long lines with kids or not being able to secure care as barriers that have kept them from the ballot box.
But this election cycle, when candidates have spoken about caregiving more than ever, efforts have ramped up to help parents take part in a consequential election.
In Need of Election Day Child Care?
Check out some of the regional resources available below:
- North Carolina
- Los Angeles
- New York City and Westchester
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
Be sure to check out https://electiondaychildcare.com/ for more Election Day child care options in your area.
The post Need Child Care While You Vote? In Some States, It’s Free appeared first on Truthdig.
