TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE COALITION LAUNCHES “HEY AMERICA—LET’S VOTE!” GOTV MAKE GOOD TROUBLE VOTE TOUR

National Tour Honors John Lewis Through Votercades, Voter Education, Grassroots Mobilization, and Community Celebrations Ahead of the 2026 Midterms

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Party at the Polls, AFT, SEIU, Civic Nation, Common Cause, the National Coalition of the Homeless, local municipalities, faith and civic leaders, and a host of community partners, will spearhead a major nonpartisan statewide Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort to energize voters during early voting for the 2026 Midterm General Election called “Hey America—Let’s Vote!”

At the heart of this national mobilization is the acclaimed John Lewis “Make Good Trouble—Vote!” Bus and Votercade, which will expand its reach through two buses traveling simultaneously along separate routes, one covering the Southeast and the other traveling throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Accompanied by lively processions of decorated vehicles, horns blaring and lights flashing, the Votercades will transform streets across America into moving celebrations of democracy. Along both routes, multiple stops will culminate in vibrant “Celebration Villages” featuring food, music, voter education and resources, and legal guidance for returning citizens, bringing communities together in a shared commitment to civic participation and the power of the vote.

“Our goal is simple,” said Barbara Arnwine, TJC President and Founder. “We want to make voting a joyful act of power and participation—especially for communities that have historically been excluded, ignored, or discouraged.” “Mobilization of the Black voting-age population is key to ensuring that our voices are heard in the 2026 midterm elections. Our history reminds us that the right to vote was neither freely given nor easily won. Sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of our collective voice secured it. Our responsibility is not simply to exercise that right, but to ensure every eligible voter understands the power of their ballot, the importance of their participation, and the consequences of remaining silent. Our vote is our voice, our voice is our power, and our participation is our responsibility, ” added Daryl Jones, TJC Board Chairman and Co-Lead. “In 2024, Black voter turnout was 69.5%. Through this initiative, we aim to push those numbers even higher.”

WHO: Barbara Arnwine, Esquire, Founder/President/Co-Leader, Transformative Justice Coalition
Daryl D. Jones, Esquire, Board Chair/Co-Leader, Transformative Justice Coalition
Gen Z & Young Millennial Freedom Riders from across the nation.
Faith leaders, local officials, union leaders, student organizations, community organizations, and voting rights advocates

WHEN: October 22 – November 3, 2026

Daily Schedule:
BUS 1
• Oct. 22 – Fairfax, VA
• Oct. 23 – Raleigh, Durham & Greensboro, NC
• Oct. 24 – Charlotte, NC
• Oct. 25 – Atlanta, Marietta & Savannah, GA
• Oct. 28 – South Fulton, GA
• Oct. 27 – Atlanta, GA
• Oct. 28 – Florida (Travel)
• Oct. 29 – Miami Gardens, FL
• Oct. 30 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Oct. 31 – Central Florida
• Nov. 1 – Central Florida
• Nov. 2 – Northern Florida
• Nov. 3 – Tampa, FL

BUS 2
• Oct. 23 – Newark, NJ
• Oct. 24 – Paterson & Plainfield, NJ
• Oct. 25 – East Orange & Essex County, NJ
• Oct. 26 – Jersey City, New Brunswick & Newark, NJ
• Oct. 27 – Camden, NJ & Philadelphia, PA
• Oct. 28 – Cleveland, OH
• Oct. 29 – Columbus, OH
• Oct. 30 – Cincinnati, OH
• Oct. 31 – Indianapolis, IN
• Nov. 1 – Detroit, MI
• Nov. 2 – Highland Park, MI
• Nov. 3 – Detroit, MI

WHERE: Multiple high voter engagement areas with strong minority populations. Event venues and Celebration Village locations to be announced.

WHY: To increase voter turnout—especially among young and minority voters—while countering suppression and making voting a joyful community event.

VISUALS:
• Nationally acclaimed John Lewis “Make Good Trouble—Vote!” Bus
• Dozens of decorated vehicles, “Good Trouble” banners, and voter engagement teams
• Live DJ and community celebration at multiple stops
• Clergy-led “Souls to the Polls” events and Freedom Riders engaging voters

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Founded in 2015 by Barbara Arnwine, president emeritus of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, where she created the national election protection program. Ms. Arnwine serves as President and Founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, which seeks to be a catalyst for transformative institutional changes that bring about justice and equality in the United States and abroad. Learn more at tjcoalition.org.

Barbara Arnwine
Transformative Justice Coalition
+1 202-359-9864