Pennsylvania Voice

Pennsylvania Voice is a nonprofit organization incorporated as a 501c(3) entity with the EIN 81-1141448. It is a statewide partnership of more than 50 nonpartisan organizations working together to build an inclusive, just, and reflective democracy in Pennsylvania.

History and Purpose

Established in 2010, Pennsylvania Voice operates as a collaborative table for its partner organizations to discuss, plan, and coordinate their efforts around a collective statewide democracy agenda. The organization aims to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy by amplifying the voices, leadership, and expertise of communities that have historically faced barriers to civic participation. An explicit commitment to racial equity frames its partnership, programs, and culture.

Program Areas

Pennsylvania Voice focuses on several key program areas:

• Civic Engagement: The organization implements year-round integrated voter engagement campaigns designed to increase voting, voter registration, and participation in civic life among all Pennsylvanians, with a focus on communities of color.
• Voting Rights and Access: Pennsylvania Voice works on modernizing elections to make voting more convenient and accessible for all citizens.
• Reflective Democracy: The organization invests in community leadership and governance that is accountable to community interests and needs, emphasizing racial equity and representation.

Impact

Pennsylvania Voice has achieved significant victories in civic engagement and voting rights. These include shutting down voter ID requirements, advancing language access in voting processes, and securing major redistricting victories. The organization also provides coaching and training for partners to ensure they have the skills and data needed to run successful civic engagement programs.

Partnerships

The partnership includes a diverse range of organizations, such as base-building organizations, issue advocacy coalitions, good government advocates, legal nonprofits, and direct service providers. Notable partners include the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Asian Americans United, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, and Planned Parenthood Association of Pennsylvania. This collective effort allows individual organizations to align their work with broader statewide goals, building collective power to achieve meaningful democratic reforms.

Strategy and Operations

Pennsylvania Voice analyzes demographic trends in the state and shares findings annually to inform its strategies. The organization believes that a fair and just society will be achieved through collective action that includes underrepresented communities alongside an activated base of allies. By integrating resources and expertise across its partnerships, Pennsylvania Voice seeks to strengthen democracy and realize its vision of a multiracial democracy in Pennsylvania.