Intellectual freedom voters believe that the freedom to read and learn is the bedrock of a free society. Stand with us and pledge to vote like our democracy depends on it. Because it does.
TAKE THE FREEDOM TO READ PLEDGE
I stand with readers across the U.S. in support of the freedom to read, which we believe is an American value that must be protected.
Everyone should have the right to choose what they read. Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what they and their families read.
Free access to information and knowledge is fundamental to democracy. Book bans inhibit the free flow of ideas. The freedom to read plays an essential part in informed debate and securing the health of our democratic institutions.
The surge in book banning in our schools and communities is a crisis. Many of the titles targeted for censorship are by or about people of color and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Book bans harm, isolate, and discriminate against people of color and LGBTQIA+ people by denying them access to stories that reflect their lives. Everyone deserves to see themselves in the pages of books.
I pledge to vote and to make my voice heard.
Once you have signed the pledge form, you will have the option to contact your representatives in Congress to make them aware of your stance on this important issue.
* Note: The list of gendered prefixes in this menu is a system requirement for the federal Congressional communication service that delivers these messages. ALA and multiple other organizations have requested changes to allow for more expansive self-identification.
Spread the word with this profile photo frame and tell the world: I AM A FREEDOM TO READ VOTER.
VOTER CHECKLIST
Unite Against Book Bans partners and supporters are Readers, Voters, and Ready! Please use and share our voter checklist for the 2024 election.
PLEDGE TO VOTE. Commit to vote your values and opt-in to receive election-related updates.
PREPARE FOR THE ELECTION. Register or confirm your voter registration and know what's on your ballot.
ADVOCATE WITH UNITE'S ACTION TOOLKIT. Share the candidate questionnaire or use it to ask key questions during public forums. Review talking points, contact media, and more.
RAISE AWARENESS. Participate in Let Freedom Read Day on September 28 during Banned Books Week. Take at least one action to protect the freedom to read.
ORGANIZE YOUR COMMUNITY. Use your influence to help your community prepare for elections and turn out to vote. Check out Unite partners’ resources for library professionals, educators, faith groups, students, parents, and authors.
SHOW UP & SPEAK OUT. The freedom to read is a non-partisan, American value. On Saturday, October 19, participate in the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action. Together we can mobilize our communities to vote in every election for pro-library, anti-book banning candidates.
VOTE!
Unite Against Book Bans is a national coalition led by the American Library Association. As a 501(c)(3), ALA and its Unite campaign do not support or endorse candidates for political office. Unite’s voter resources are informed by ALA’s Reader Voter Ready campaign.