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about us

UpVote Virginia is a democracy reform organization that believes civic engagement doesn’t end just because an election is over. We will work to ensure that voters have the tools they need to become active participants as their elected officials govern.

About upvote virginia

Our focus will always be on voters, not politics. Although our organization is a movement of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, our operation will be nonpartisan.

We recognize that hyperpartisan influences have often gotten in the way of progress when it comes to preserving the health of our democratic systems and the fairness of our representation.

In the organization’s previous iteration, thousands of grassroots volunteers successfully campaigned to end single-party control of redistricting, establishing what experts agree are some of the fairest legislative maps in America.

With UpVote Virginia, we relaunch with a new name, new leadership, and a new slate of issues that aim to modernize our electoral system while also making our government more transparent and accessible – issues including Ranked Choice Voting, campaign finance reform, fully independent redistricting, and expanded voter access.

Our Mission

UpVote Virginia is dedicated to ensuring that Virginia leads the way in improving the structure of our electoral system to better reflect the will of voters, thus providing for a more representative, inclusive, open, and transparent government.

Our Philosophy

As a democracy reform organization, UpVote Virginia will focus on multiple issues related to making our elections stronger and more equitable. Our analysis and advocacy will aim to answer one guiding question: Is this good for Virginia voters?

Our Team

Our staff work hand-in-hand with our Boards to make sure all Virginia voters are informed, engaged, and mobilized.

Liz White, Executive Director
Chesterfield

Liz White is the founding executive director of UpVote Virginia and the former executive director of OneVirginia2021. After spending the better part of the last decade on nonpartisan redistricting reform, she wanted to expand the scope of her democracy reform work to elevating the voices of Virginia voters through policies like Ranked Choice Voting. Liz helped grow Virginia’s redistricting reform movement, including developing and leading the Presence at the Polls program, which sends volunteers to polling places during elections to educate voters about nonpartisan issues. Liz has a BA from the College of William and Mary and comes from a background in the arts. She currently lives in Chesterfield with her husband and two children.

Tamara Allen, Program Director
Hampton Roads

Tamara Allen serves as Program Director for UpVote Virginia, primarily focusing on recruiting, training, and mobilizing volunteers to grow the organization’s grassroots supporters network. She has worked diligently to promote civic engagement amongst college students and citizens across the Commonwealth. During this time, Tamara gained direct experience in grassroots organizing and volunteer mobilization, strategic planning, and with the Virginia State legislature. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in Political Science and is a native of Hampton Roads.

Board of directors

Below is a list of our Board of Directors, which is led by Kathy Utgoff. She is a longtime supporter of government transparency, and has been actively involved with the Fairfax Local Action Group and on the Leadership Council of the Virginia Public Access Project.

  • Kathy Utgoff, President

    Former Commissioner,
    Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Falls Church

  • Lucas N. Hall, Treasurer

    VP of Administration, VCU Investment Management Company

    Chesterfield

  • Vickie Williams Cullins

    Executive Director, OPN-Door Communications

    Hampton

  • Nicholas Goedert

    Assistant Professor of Political Science, Virginia Tech

    Blacksburg

  • Chris DeRosa

    RCV Chair, League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria

    Arlington

  • Sarah Gross, Secretary

    Past President, Virginia PTA

    Richmond

  • Ankit Jain

    Attorney, FairVote

    Washington, DC

  • Charles V. McPhillips

    Attorney, Kaufman & Canoles

    Norfolk

  • John Stone

    Retired Health System Executive

    Chesapeake

  • Anne Sterling

    Former President, League of Women Voters of VA

    Advocacy Board

  • Greg Lucyk

    Former Chief Staff Attorney, Supreme Court of VA

    Advocacy Board

  • Jerome Legions

    Former President, Richmond Crusade for Voters

    Advocacy Board

  • Deb Wake

    Former President, League of Women Voters of VA

    Advocacy Board

Talking to riders at the Cap2Cap Party Zone for our first annual Ride for RCV! #rankedchoicevoting @fairvoteva @lwv_va @fwd_party @richmondcrusadeforvoters @rankthevote
Volunteers had a blast this weekend at Taste of Annandale talking to voters about #rankedchoicevoting and demonstrating the process in a Best Candy election! You can try it out too - https://app.rankedvote.co/elections/26329/Best-Candy-with-5/27313/v
We had a blast last night with @arlingtonvotes, @uuthevote, and @lwvarlington as we talked to voters about #rankedchoicevoting, answered questions, and got to try it out by ranking incredible desserts from @pastriesbyrandolph (the apricot cookies and
Join us tomorrow in Arlington to learn about using #rankedchoicevoting in the June 20 Dem primary. Thanks to @apl.reachingout, @lwvarlalexcity, and @arlingtonvotes for getting the word out to voters so they can get ready to rank!
Join us Monday for this important discussion! More info + registration link: https://upvoteva.org/blog/feb-27-630pm-virtual-event-the-impact-of-ranked-choice-voting-on-communities-of-color
For more details and to RSVP, visit https://upvoteva.org/blog/in-person-event-rcv-roundtable Join us for a unique opportunity to listen to and engage with others involved in #rankedchoicevoting around the state! Learn about the history of RCV in V

Get involved with UpVote Virginia!