‘Trick or Vote’ on Oct. 31 in Rockville Centre

This Halloween, local community groups have partnered with others across the country to encourage students to vote in the upcoming elections.

Raising Voices USA, the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association and Planned Parenthood of Nassau County will be celebrating Halloween differently this year, by urging students to vote on Nov. 6.

The non-partisan voting initiative called Trick or Vote, originally organized by high school students in Oregon in 2004, calls for young people to remind their neighbors and community members about the upcoming election while trick-or-treating. Adults can join in by putting out “Trick or Vote” signs, or reminding their friends, family and neighbors.

“We’re doing what we can to spread the word,” said Emma Travers, a co-founder of Rockville Centre-based Raising Voices. She added that she and others wrote postcards to some candidates and decorated pumpkins. “We’re moving forward, hoping this will go viral at some point so everyone will do it and get involved,” she said, especially younger people because they make a difference.”

The local groups are partnering with Texas-based #NoRA, the Junior Newtown Action Alliance and Newtown Action Alliance, both of Connecticut, as well as Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Any organization that wishes to be a co-sponsor and support Trick or Vote can send an email to trickorvoteusa@gmail.com.