Stand Up and Be Counted is Wichita firm Greteman Group’s message during Open Streets ICT 2018. This community-building event in downtown Wichita’s design district runs from noon-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23. Douglas Avenue from College Hill on the east to Delano on the west will be closed to vehicle traffic. Businesses along the route set up activities in the street. Most are free.
Anyone over the age of 18 who is not registered to vote is encouraged to stop by Greteman Group’s fun voter registration booth, set up outside its offices at 1425 E. Douglas. Agency team members will be on hand with smartphones, tablets and laptops to help people register. Afterward, people can take photos with a mod, patriotic backdrop and signs that say everything from “I registered” and “First we register. Then we vote. Then we win.” to “I am the future. My vote matters” and “Only 9% of young people vote. We can do better.” Sharing the photos on social media spreads the message—and the motivation.
“Voting is a solemn duty, but we’re going to make registration a blast,” says Sonia Greteman, agency president and creative director. “Let’s embrace the democratic process and empower all voters, especially young ones.”
According to the League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro, 18 to 24 year olds make up 25 percent of the voting population in Sedgwick County, but only nine percent of people under 25 are registered to vote.
“When we learned about the staggering number of young people who aren’t registered to vote, we had to get involved,” says Jordan Walker, Greteman Group digital director. “Open Streets ICT is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how easy it is to get registered. Young voters must stand up and be counted.”
