Recovery Voices Do Count!

After the election we surveyed people in recovery and their friends and family members about their experience voting. Here's what they said:

"I got to the polls at 5:35 am and there were already about 25 people ahead of me. I encountered several young men I knew from the community who are in recovery. They were so proud to be able to vote and very touched by being able to have their voices heard. Talking to them made a profound impact on me." Lynnette Small-Gavin

"I voted in 8 previous Presidential elections and I am excited about the how the elections will go. It is now extremely important that pressure be applied to every state's decision-makers to amend medical insurance regulations to include mental illness along with treatment for addictions as "any other illness." Craig Van Doren

"I vote in all elections and believe my vote always makes an impact."

"I feel that my vote allowed me to have a voice in this election."

"Biggest problem was making a decision on who to support, not only as it relates to drug/alcohol recovery, but also as it relates to our country's recovery."

"I feel voting is one of the if not the most important thing I do every year, and I get excited about it and look forward to voting. I think every vote impacts the election, mine included."

"I was so excited to exercise my right to vote in this year's election. It had more meaning for me and many others. I made sure to get the word out to family and friends to vote."

"I feel that every vote counted, and I always feel privileged to vote."

"Exercizing our constitutional right to vote is an exercize which honors our freedom."

"I have never missed an opportunity to vote as long I have been voting age. I believe it is my obligation to have my voice counted."

"I voted based on my personal conscience on the issues that are important to the whole and not special interest: children's healthcare, economy, national/local drug policy issues, healthcare parity and others."

"It was a GREAT experience, better than ever, and I've voted every year and every primary since 1976. I absolutely felt my vote counted."

"Excellent. I stood in line for 50 minutes waiting for the polls to open. The citizens were proud to be in line and committed to making their voices heard. I felt very proud to be an American regardless of the outcome."

"I am 48 year old female that has voted in every election since 18 years of age, and so do my children and any other youth that I can convince to register."

"It was an excellent experience. I was at the Polling location by 5:45 AM and I had voted by 6:10 and I was on my way."

"Perfect. No glitches, no problems. Very smooth, no incidents. Helpful poll people. short lines."

"EVERY vote counts. It was great!"

"My vote impacted the election. There were other local candidates I voted for. The biggest impact is on my 3.5-yr-old daughter... she came to vote with us + got to experience the excitement. Something that will carry on to the next generation!"

"Very positive experience. I always feel that my vote is a responsibility that I take seriously."

"I always vote, now did it impact the election? I guess that depends on what you mean by impact, I figure voting is my way of showing my friends, family, community that I care."

"People were concerned about helping each other and making the process as clear and simple as possible."
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Recovery Voices Count - New Jersey was officially launched by Friends of Addiction Recovery - New Jersey and NCADD - New Jersey at a Statehouse press conference in Trenton on September 25th as the New Jersey Legislature proclaimed September National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. NCADD - New Jersey's Class of 2008 Advocacy Leaders joined in the initiative's launch as part of their full day training on the state's legislative process. To learn more about NCADD-New Jersey’s Advocacy Leadership Program click here.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Recovery Voices Count is one part of a national movement spearheaded by Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) to make it possible for even more of our friends, neighbors and family members to experience long-term recovery from addiction by building recognition of the recovery community as a constituency of consequence.

New Jersey is among 10 states chosen by FAVOR to take part in Recovery Voices Count. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-New Jersey and the grassroots organization it supports, Friends of Addiction Recovery-New Jersey oversees the project in the state. (click here for press release) The initiative will build an addiction recovery constituency in each of the participating states through voter registration and education and a get-out-the-vote initiative, drawing in part from people in recovery and their families and friends.

As recovery community organizations and recovery advocates register voters, educate candidates for public office about key issues and turn out voters in growing numbers, we will have an even greater impact on the lives of people who still need help with their addiction, people in long-term recovery, their family members and communities.

With less than half of eligible Americans voting, Recovery Voices Count is a great way to help people take the first step in civic participation and to build a recovery community organization. Every individual eligible to vote needs to be encouraged to register to vote and, if already registered, encouraged to vote.

One policy issue that is very important to the recovery community is restoring the right of people with criminal convictions to vote. More than five million Americans are barred from the polls because of these restrictions. Many of these disenfranchised people have experience with addiction and face lifetime bans on participating in our civic life as voters. Recovery community organizations around the country are working in coalition with allied organizations to right this wrong.

To assist in your Recovery Community Civic Engagement Campaign, Faces & Voices has provided us with buttons that say “We Recover and We Vote,” “I’m in Recovery and I Vote” and a bumper sticker that says “Another Voter for Recovery!”  

To find out more about registering to vote, or to participate in the Recovery Voices Count Campaign email Jeanette or Candice for more information or call 609-689-0121.

More Resources

Recovery Voices Count Advocacy Tools

The Sentencing Project's 2008 Presidential Candidates’ Platforms on Criminal Justice, published in March 2008, provides information on a range of key criminal justice issues, including sentencing policy, reentry, felony disenfranchisement, and the death penalty.

Recovery Voices Count Powerpoint Presentation

Recovery Voices Count Training Webinar

Rock the Vote

University of Austin-Texas students talk about why Recovery Voices Count

Recovery Voices Count is made possible in New Jersey through a mini-grant from FAVOR