Feature photo: MA Voter Table staff holding regional map (Massachusetts Voter Table)
Shanique Rodriguez steers the way for progress, urging more Massachusetts voters of underrepresented backgrounds to go to the voting booth.
Rodriguez works as executive director of the Massachusetts Voter Table, a Boston social worker organization committed to representing marginalized voters.
“It's really important that we continuously engage and build trust for those folks to engage in our elections because that's how we move towards a more multiracial democracy,” Rodriguez said.
The nonprofit establishes trust with voters by talking to communities. Rodriguez said voters were more likely to turnout when they were contacted than those who were not, showing voters will turnout when connected with the right resources and support.
“They're the best people to do that work because they know the lay of the land,” Rodriguez said. “They know their community and they know the people in the community.”
The organization uses foreign language interpreters when teaching the importance of voting to underserved communities.
The group has representatives who work to reach voters in all areas of Massachusetts, instead of just focusing on Greater Boston. In 2023, the goal of reaching 300,000 voters in key demographics was hit.
Achieving voter engagement has not always been easy. The Massachusetts Voter Table struggles with funding, in comparison to other political machines, Rodriguez said.
The organization also faces citizen disinterest in politics. After dealing with the recent pandemic, inflation and shelter crises, Rodriguez said many eligible voters are desensitized to social issues and do not bother to vote.
The group hopes to make an impact in increasing voting rates in specific communities for the upcoming election, Rodriguez said, and getting more residents involved in the election process and politics.
With this organization gaining momentum, Rodriguez hopes to see change in the future with a higher voter turnout rate. She said there are other organizations focused on voter engagement that collaborate with the Massachusetts Voter Table.
“So much of our lives is run by politics,” Rodriguez said. “Pretending it doesn’t exist and opting out doesn’t change anything.”