Anyone following world politics knows that the U.S. election on November 3 is a huge deal. Not everyone may realize that the Tuesday is a work day (versus a national holiday), and with lines lasting hours to cast a ballot, the challenges of work and childcare add up quickly. Luckily, Care.com is stepping in to help with part of that equation to help everyone exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Many Americans consider the 2020 election the most important vote of their lifetimes. And issues related to kids weigh heavily on the electorate; Care.com’s recent survey presents critical data to consider. 82 percent of parents surveyed are registered to vote and fully intend to cast their ballot, while another 11 percent say they’re registered, but cannot find the time to participate on election day.
If that sounds troubling, consider this: 89 percent of parents surveyed report that childcare policy has a meaningful impact on how they will vote. Quick math tells us this: there are parents who have a vested interest in child-related issues, but may not have the opportunity to cast a vote on November 3 due to other obligations. With 44 percent of respondents admitting they’re paying more now for childcare than pre-pandemic, there are multiple simultaneous crises, and many of them complicate voting access for moms and dads.
That’s where Care.com is taking action. Partnering with Armed Services YMCA, they are working to provide free childcare on election day to relieve that stress from parents’ long lists. Participation can be kicked off with a simple registration.
As Fatherly explains, folks can register by going to the ASYMCA page and reserving "a four-hour spot, free-of-charge, at one of the participating locations near them. The locations will be available to the public, with a select few locations reserved for military families.”
Locations offering free childcare through Care.com include:
San Diego, CA (1 location)
Twentynine Palms, CA (1 location: only available to military families)
Colorado Springs, CO (3 locations)
Daytona, FL (2 locations)
Augusta, GA (1 location)
Savannah, GA (1 location)
O’Fallon, IL (1 location)
Jacksonville, NC (1 location)
Rochester, NY (1 location)
Watertown, NY (3 locations)
Oklahoma City, OK (2 locations)
Nashville, TN (2 locations)
El Paso, TX (1 location)
Fort Worth, TX (3 locations)
San Antonio, TX (2 locations)
Salt Lake City, UT (2 locations)
Each participating location will serve a minimum of 20 children, and facilities will ensure the safety of all children, workers, and parents with preventative COVID-19 protocols in place. Parents can drop off their children for their reserved time and migrate to the polls to cast their vote. Parents will need to show identification upon arrival to ASYMCA locations, and should note that participation may only occur with pre-registration.
With nearly a dozen states offering locations so far, we may see an increase in spots available through this partnership – and perhaps other organizations inspired by the combination of patriotism and community service. Election day lines may still be long, but parents can breathe a little easier knowing they have support from these incredible organizations to vote with their kids safely cared for – and vote with their kids’ needs in mind.