To our supporters, donors, partners, and friends,
As Presidents of the Foundation and Advocacy Boards, we want to let you know that UpVote Virginia will be winding down its operations in the coming weeks.
After years of advancing ranked choice voting and democracy reform in Virginia, Executive Director Liz White has accepted a new position as Virginia State Lead for Common Ground USA. Those who have worked with Liz know that she is enthusiastic and deeply passionate about the work, and a joy to be around. We are grateful for the countless hours she has put into furthering our nonpartisan causes over the years, wish her all the best as she begins a new professional adventure.
To our dedicated supporters – many of whom have been with this organization since its previous iteration: we cannot thank you enough for the time, energy, ideas, and support you have given us over the years. Thanks to you, we have seen multiple successful ranked choice elections, multiple localities are on the road to adopting RCV, thousands of Virginia voters are considering reforms like proportional representation, and the Virginia legislature has passed pro-RCV legislation three years in a row. We have built a coalition around the idea that Virginians can say more with their votes and that communities can be fully represented by their elected officials. Our democracy is unequivocally stronger and more equitable because of the grassroots work you have done.
As UpVote closes this chapter, we are pleased to also announce that Ranked Choice Virginia will continue the work to advance ranked choice voting across the Commonwealth. Executive Director Sally Hudson will be reaching out in the coming weeks to introduce herself and share more about RCVa’s plans for the future. We wish her and her team success as they carry on this important work.
On behalf of the Boards, thank you again for helping to write UpVote’s story. We hope you will continue your advocacy moving forward - it is consequential and important work that strengthens the very foundation of our democracy.
Sincerely,
Kathy Utgoff, Foundation Board President
Jerome Legions, Advocacy Board President
P.S. All recurring donations have been stopped - if you have been a monthly donor, THANK YOU, and you will receive documentation in the coming weeks.
P.P.S. If you have any questions, you can reach out to hello@upvoteva.org.
