Allyson Felix making it easier for women to vote like a mother.
Olympic champion Allyson Felix and the national nonprofit organization Chamber of Mothers are joining forces to tackle one of the biggest hurdles that prevent mothers—particularly Black moms in under-resourced communities—from voting: access to childcare.
This partnership will be brought to life in three markets, North Carolina, New York and Los Angeles with partners POLITISIT, Brella, Vivvi, Bumo and Smart Sitting.
In North Carolina, Felix and COM are working with nonprofit Politisit to reimburse up to two hours of child care for parents who are early voting or heading to the polls on election day.
“Parents can hire their trusted local babysitter and know that they’ll be covered for up to two hours of childcare while they head to the polls to cast their ballot,” COM shared on its website.
In Western North Carolina, Politisit will reimburse a full day of care, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in the region.
How do parents access this? All they have to do is fill out a Google Form with information on the kind of care they will need and how much it will cost.
“Why North Carolina?” COM continued. “Black mothers there continue to be severely under-resourced, North Carolina is a child care desert, their vote here truly matters, and so many have been further challenged by the recent horrific storm.”
In Felix’s hometown of Los Angeles, moms can access childcare vouchers for early voting and Election Day voting, as well.
Through a partnership with the initiative, child care provider Brella will offer a full day of free child care for kids ages 3 months to 6 years old.
The company also notes that it will offer the same support in its core service areas, which include New York, Jersey City, Hoboken, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Those interested can similarly fill out a form on Brella’s website.
“You should never have to choose between your profession, your passions, and motherhood,” Felix said in a statement. “I’m honored to… tell moms that this election, you don’t have to choose between voting and motherhood. This election, you can do both.”
Lastly, in New York City and Westchester, families will be able to access Election Day child care in select Vivvi locations in the state. The child care and early learning provider will offer up to a full day of child care.
“This means you have time to research and fill out your sample ballot, head to the polls, wait in line, and cast your official vote without having to stress one bit over child care,” COM said.
Interested parties can fill out a form to find care through Vivvi.
While these service areas reach a large number of voters in major cities across the country, lack of access to child care remains a potent issue of the moment — a concern many parents may bring with them as they cast their ballots.
COM and Felix are also sharing a library of resources to make voting easier for mothers, including guides on how to take time off from work, get transportation to the polls, find rules about bringing children to the polls, and more.
A nonpartisan “Vote Like A Mother” educational platform also provides insights on candidates’ stances on child care, paid family leave, and maternal health. Folks can build a sample ballot to come prepared to the polls, as well.
In an Instagram comment about the initiative, Felix summed up her feelings in a short statement.
“Nothing should stop us,” she wrote. “Let’s do this.”
Header images courtesy of Allyson Felix/Instagram and Kārlis Dambrāns (CC BY 2.0)
