Press

Austin Interfaith Increases Voter Turnout in Traditionally Low Voting Precincts by 85% and 131%: East Austin & Dove Springs

Posted by · May 12, 2012 4:42 PM

As of Saturday evening, Austin Interfaith increased early voter turnout by 65%, and final voter turnout by 85%, in the same precinct in which it hosted the largest event of the election season as well as substantial GOTV efforts by several Austin Interfaith congregations

On April 29th, Austin Interfaith held the largest assembly in the city with 500+ organization members at Mount Olive Baptist Church; the church is located in Precinct 124 in East Austin. Early voter turnout increased by 65% compared to 2011 council election turnout and by 9:30pm Saturday night had recorded an 85% increase over final election day turnout from 2011. These increases in raw numbers of voters were the result of coordinated efforts by Austin Interfaith member congregations in East Austin. Efforts included pulpit announcements to vote in several eastside congregations, GOTV walks held by 24 leaders over two weekends and phone banking involving a team of 9 additional leaders from downtown congregations

Austin Interfaith leaders increased voter turnout in Dove Springs' precinct 450 by 131% compared to 2011 council election turnout. This southeast Austin precinct is known as a low voter turnout neighborhood, but over 100 Austin Interfaith leaders participated in several neighborhood Get Out the Vote walks in 2012, including two during early voting season. On Saturday, May 5th over 25 leaders of Austin Interfaith walked door-to-door in Dove Springs and got signatures from 127 voters who supported the Austin Interfaith agenda, and committed to vote. In addition to door-to-door walks, leaders called over 2,000 voters in south Austin. Leaders continued to block-walk on election day, as well as phone bank and drive voters to the polls.

The voter turnout in these precincts are in addition to the citywide Get Out the Vote Campaign focused on our neighborhoods and institutions. Austin Interfaith is a non-partisan organization of member congregations, schools, workers' associations and non-profits building power through the organization of a voting constituency in support of an array of issues around the interests of families and individuals in Austin.

Video Here

Austin Interfaith Leverages Commitments on Incentive Deals & Electricity

Posted by · April 30, 2012 1:47 AM

At an assembly with 504 Austin Interfaith delegates, candidates for City Council and Mayor committed to raising electricity rates no higher than 20% for congregations and to broaden assistance to people with limited incomes.

Candidates were also challenged about publicly funded incentives, as Austin has been the center of high-profile incentive deals in recent years. Austin Interfaith got all candidates to commit to setting a wage standard for permanent (and construction) workers ranging between $11-20 per hour. Candidates also agreed to a community study and dialogue with Austin Interfaith to determine what constitutes a living wage in Austin.

Candidates for Sheriff and US Congress also committed to working with the organization.

Early Voting Begins in Municipal Races, KXAN

Austin Interfaith Fights Energy Rate Hike on Churches & Poor

Posted by · January 13, 2012 5:43 PM

“Church leaders are banding together to fight a proposed Austin Energy rate increase that they say will hurt their ability to help the poor in the community.

Thursday morning, Austin Interfaith gathered and spoke during public comments to let the city council know they oppose the increase. ‘This could affect the community of faith’s ability to do the ministries they need to do,’ said Pastor Fred Krebs of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in East Austin.”

Austin Churches Unite to Oppose Energy Rate Hike, KVUE News

Austin Interfaith Statements, Austin Channel 6 [Citizen Communication Start at 0:30 & 20:25; Also at Item 107, Part 3 at 33:46]

Be Heard Today on Electricity Rate Increase, KUT