Who is Muslims for Obama?
Muslims for Obama is an ad hoc group working on a voluntary basis to support the re-election of President Obama in 2012. Contact us.
Muslims for Obama is a shared space for American Muslims who support President Obama. We are working to coordinate efforts among individuals in different states and to share information that we think will be helpful.
On Muslims for Obama, you can register and commit to vote, find volunteer events, and donate to the Obama 2012 campaign.
We also have a blog where we are publishing essays from ordinary American Muslims like you about why they are voting for President Obama.
Whether you were involved with similar grassroots efforts in 2008, are working for the campaign or another organization on Get Out The Vote (GOTV), or getting involved in politics for the first time this election season – Muslims for Obama is for you!
How and where do I register to vote?
Our Register to Vote page allows you to fill out a voter registration form online (this tool is provided by the Obama-Biden campaign but the information is not shared with the campaign). Once you have completed the form through this tool, you will need to print it out and send it in the mail to your local election office.
If you would prefer another method, there are many other options. Most election offices provide voter registration forms online through their websites and many high schools and libraries have voter registration forms available to take and fill out. GottaRegister.com provides more information on the options in your state.
If you have moved recently or changed your name since you last voted, or if you plan to do either of these before November 6, you will need to update your voter registration with the new information. Your local elections office may provide online forms or tools for this purpose or have a number you can call to find out what you need to do. Be sure to take care of this as soon as possible.
Your state may also require you to have a certain form of identification when you go to vote. Find out what you need to take to the polls at GottaVote.com and make sure that you’re vote ready well before Election Day.
Important note: In many states you must be registered to vote some number of days (often as many as 30) before the general election if you wish to vote. You can find out the voter registration deadline in your state at GottaRegister.com or by contacting your local elections office. If you plan to register to vote, please do so as soon as possible!
Why should I vote?
Voting is a right and a privilege. Exercising the right to vote is a fundamental part of civic engagement and community involvement.
Whomever American Muslims choose to vote for, being active in the political process is critical for strengthening the position of our community in our country.
Still not convinced? Check out the essays at Election 2012 – American Muslims VOTE and read what other American Muslims have to say about the importance of voting.
Why should I vote early?
Early voting is increasingly important, particularly for Democrats. If you vote early and help others to vote early, you don’t have to worry about voter suppression or other issues on Election Day. Also, you can volunteer on Election Day.
In this election, over thirty states are offering some form of early voting – in some states, voting begins as early as September 26, 2012. According to the Washington Post“>, “many swing states now feature huge chunks of their electorate voting early, with two-thirds of voters voting early in Colorado and Nevada in 2008 and more than half voting early in Florida and North Carolina. And early voting is expected to rise in basically every state this year. These numbers matter — a lot.”
And, “in the five 2012 swing states where a 2008 early voting breakdown is available, Democrats voted early more than Republicans in all five. Even in a very good GOP year in 2010, Democrats voted early more often than Republicans in North Carolina, Iowa and Nevada.”
To find out whether early voting is available in your state, visit GottaVote.com or contact your local elections office.
How can I volunteer?
We encourage you to reach out to your local Democratic Party precint captain or Obama for America neighborhood team and work to get out the vote near where you live. You can find local OFA events through the Barack Obama website. We will share events of all kinds, whether Muslims for Obama activities or general volunteer opportunities with OFA, through our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Be sure to like and follow us there so that you receive this information.