You’ve heard of Rock the Vote? This fall, several Northern Virginia retail outlets are encouraging patrons to shop the vote.
From September through Election Day, four Alexandria shops are joining forces to encourage the local community to take part in the democratic process and get their friends and family to do the same. Stores are offering shoppers free postcards which they can send to friends and family along with a note reminding them to register to vote and then either vote by mail or show up to cast their ballot in person on Nov. 3.
The shops participating in the promotion are Old Town Books, paper goods purveyor Penny Post, independent boutique Threadleaf and Red Barn Mercantile, which sells home goods, accessories and gifts.
“Representation is the foundation of this country, but representation only works when we all make our voices heard, when we all vote,” says Threadleaf owner Nicole McGrew. “As small business owners that are also part of the community we started this campaign as a reminder to folks that your vote is your voice, and your vote matters.”
All four stores will also offer special merchandise on the weekend leading up to National Voter Registration Day on September 22 including “I’m a Voter” pins designed by Katie Gastley of paper goods store Idlewild Co; each pin is free with a $50 purchase or $10 if purchased separately.
On Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., Old Town Books will host a talk with author Martha S. Jones, the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at The Johns Hopkins University. Jones will talk about her recently released title Vanguard, which covers the role that Black women played in the suffragette movement. She will also speak about voter suppression and other continued racial barriers to American Democracy and how area residents can get involved in this upcoming election. The event is free but requires advanced registration here.
“This year marks the centennial of the 19th amendment, [and] It’s hard to believe women are only a few generations removed from being able to vote,” says Old Town Books owner Ally Kirkpatrick. “I wanted to participate in this campaign to celebrate that history, to inspire folks to use their vote, to value it and the work it took to get here–what better way to honor 100 years of the vote than using it?”
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