Democracy doesn’t defend itself—people do.
At BigTentUSA’s August 12 workshop, BigTentUSA’s Voter Engagement Coordinator Samantha Cohen kicked off the conversation by sharing how BigTent’s 2026 letter-writing campaign is mobilizing members to reach voters directly. Cohen explained the difference between VoteRiders’ voter ID outreach and Vote Forward’s turnout efforts, walked participants through requesting and mailing letters, and highlighted why handwritten notes can cut through today’s digital noise. She also shared that BigTent members have already written more than 1,000 letters this summer.
VoteRiders CEO and Executive Director Lauren Kunis detailed how restrictive and changing ID laws can create significant barriers to voting—and how targeted outreach can make a measurable difference. In Texas, 92% of voters contacted through VoteRiders’ letter campaign after having a ballot rejected successfully voted in the next election.
Together, Cohen and Kunis equipped participants with the tools, information, and motivation to take action. Now it’s time to pick up a pen, write a letter, and help make every eligible voter’s voice count!
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Kunis is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director of VoteRiders, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring every eligible voter has the identification they need to cast a ballot that counts. Since joining VoteRiders in 2020, she has led the organization’s strategic growth, expanding its nationwide voter ID education, outreach, and free assistance programs to reach millions of voters while building partnerships with thousands of community organizations across the country. Prior to VoteRiders, Lauren served as Program Director for National Voter Registration Day, where she helped lead one of the largest nonpartisan civic engagement coalitions in the United States. A recognized leader in voting rights and civic participation, Lauren is a frequent speaker on voter access and democracy and is committed to removing barriers to the ballot box so every eligible American can participate in elections.
Samantha Cohen is the Voter Engagement Coordinator at BigTentUSA, where she leads volunteer engagement initiatives and voter outreach efforts, including the organization’s nationwide letter-writing campaign to encourage civic participation. She is a member of the Duke University Class of 2030, where she plans to major in Public Policy on the pre-law track. Samantha previously served as a U.S. Senate Page for Senator Chuck Schumer, gaining firsthand experience with the legislative process and public service. She is passionate about strengthening democracy through civic education, community engagement, and empowering others to make their voices heard. Samantha looks forward to pursuing a career in law and public policy while continuing to expand access to civic participation for communities across the country.
