 James Manrique is a nonpartisan, local-voting, get-out-the-vote enthusiast. For 4 years, he's led volunteer projects to increase voter turnout through CCVA, a local, nonpartisan voting organization he started on May 23, 2017. CCVA is the home of an online Candidate Information Guide. James developed the site to provide nonpartisan information about candidates in contested races in Champaign County. It includes candidates' answers to questions, links to candidate websites, contact information, videos and information on candidate forums. The goal is to make it a simple, one-stop for voting information. The Candidate Guide, and other useful links for voting, are found on the CCVA website at VoteChampaign.org.  Since 2018, James has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) as a League member and a Board Director. As a League member and partner, he has continued development of the Candidate Guide and worked with League volunteers and teams on multiple get-out-the-vote projects.  A feature story in last February's News-Gazette describes more about James, CCVA and the LWVCC partnership. This photo from the story shows how James and other League volunteers distributed get-out-the-vote door hangers directly to homes prior to the February 2021 primary election, even in the dead of winter. With the onset of Covid-19 last spring, the get-out-the-vote volunteers observed safe practices but still managed to distribute information to 1500 homes in low-turnout areas and asked local businesses to put flyers in their windows. This summer, they are making plans for the 2022 election season, hoping to expand efforts event further. IJames and CCVA were just featured in a "I Have To Ask" podcast by Elizabeth Hess. Listen to the interview here. It's about 12 minutes long. Thanks to James Manrique and the other get-out-the-vote volunteers for their work in expanding voter participation in Champaign County.
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