New initiative Trek the Vote calls on American Star Trek fans to volunteer to protect a fair and equitable election process
The logo for Trek the Vote evokes Star Trek’s Federation flag
There’s a new initiative in the quadrant, challenging Star Trek fans across the United States to take action to promote fair and equitable elections.
Trek the Vote launched yesterday morning with a video starring several recognizable Star Trek actors, reading a Trek-inspired script and calling for a total of 16,000 volunteers (or more!) to commit to volunteering in roles supporting election integrity. Appearing in the video were Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Gates McFadden and Wil Wheaton; Enterprise’s John Billingsley; Robin Curtis from Star Trek III and IV; from Deep Space Nine, Andrew Robinson, J.G. Hertzler, Armin Shimerman, Chase Masterson, Kitty Swink and Hana Hatae; as well as Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr.
Get your personalized Starfleet mission to protect democracy at https://t.co/JZNkrrauY3 today!@TrektheVote is a network of fans, actors, and creators connecting Trekkies with election integrity volunteer opportunities nationwide.#TrektheVote #StarTrek pic.twitter.com/VCX7f7JSnt
— Trek the Vote (@TrektheVote) September 27, 2020
On Trek the Vote’s website, they describe themselves as “a grassroots, fan-driven volunteer drive.” Their stated mission is “to connect our fellow American Star Trek fans with non-partisan groups working to ensure a fair and equitable electoral process in our communities, and to carry the principles and work ethic we've learned from Star Trek along for the ride.” Trek the Vote is not associated with CBS, and claims fair use of themes from the Trek universe but is not endorsed by or affiliated with Star Trek. Trek the Vote was founded by performer and activist Tae Phoenix and lists a combination of Trek personalities and “civilians” as its “Federation Council”.
To participate in the initiative, volunteers can fill out a short form on the Trek the Vote website, to be matched with a partner organization doing work in their area. Partner organizations include:
Power the Polls and the Poll Hero Project, recruiting for poll workers
The Election Protection Project, a hotline and voter assistance field program
Fair Count, founded by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and committed to get-out-the-vote activities,
And more partners to be announced soon.
Also on the website, voters can find a number of tools including links to check your voter registration, find a polling place, or register to vote by mail.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) September 28, 2020
Trek the Vote emphasizes that it is a non-partisan organization, saying, “Each individual member of the Federation Council is free to express their own opinions about everyone and everything on the ballot, but Trek the Vote is a non-partisan initiative. That means our only interest is to have an election in which every eligible American gets to vote easily and safely and each vote is scrupulously counted and certified by local and state elections officials.”
For more information on Trek the Vote, visit trekthevote.com or follow them on social media @trekthevote on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
