HYE VOTES CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF DRAWS OVER ONE HUNDRED VOLUNTEERS

September 10, 2012

Hye Votes volunteers ready register a record number of Armenian Americans to vote in November.

GLENDALE, CA – The Hye Votes Campaign Kick-Off officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday with a successful event that drew over a hundred volunteers from the community ready to hit the streets and register voters in the weeks before Election Day on November 6. After a short introduction by Hye Votes executive director Elen Asatryan, Community Outreach Coordinator Talar Malakian and Volunteer Coordinator Ara Karamian prepared the new volunteers with information on voter registration best practices. While the Hye Votes office was abuzz with the sound of incoming calls and phone bankers answering questions, young and old volunteers from throughout the Los Angeles area grabbed clipboards, pens, and registration forms before leaving to register new voters.

“The Armenian American community is already one of the most active in the United States and its strongest base is in Southern California,” noted Asatryan. “Hye Votes will be tapping into the even greater potential of our community to further develop our role as engaged and motivated citizens in the American civic process.”

Hye Votes was established to achieve the following goals: to significantly increase the numbers of registered voters; to create public awareness regarding the importance of civic engagement and the electoral process; to provide voters with comprehensive nonpartisan information about the contests on their ballots; and, to encourage civic engagement and volunteerism by partnering with local non-profit organizations and student groups.

Those interested in becoming involved may contact Ara at 818-533-8683 or at ara@hyevotes.org. The office is located at 211 W. Chestnut St, on the third floor of the Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center in Glendale, CA.

The HyeVotes Campaign was launched by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region in 2012, as a region-wide, non-partisan initiative to engage community members in the electoral process. The HyeVotes efforts, in coalition with a network of non-profit organizations, student groups, and community members, are intended to register and encourage the community to vote in the November 6 General Election while also serving as a source for voter information.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

ANCA Western Region Board and Staff members with Montebello City Councilman Jack Hadjinian and Hye Votes volunteers.

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