SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — There are just under eight weeks left until Election Day and local organizations are making a push for voters to get informed before casting their ballots. 

Faith Coalition for the Common Good (FCCG) is just one organization in Springfield taking steps to educate and empower people to vote. Right now, they are focusing on voter registration efforts and education.

"We want to make sure that people get registered to vote and canvass neighborhoods to encourage people to come out to vote," said Dr. Glenn Walton, President of FCCG. "If people need rides, we try to coordinate rides to go to the polls and vote, and alert them that the election is coming up." 

FCCG say people often struggle to feel empowered to vote because they think their votes don't matter and that issues they care about aren't on the ballot. 

Part of the work FCCG does is helping people connect how the issues they face are connected to upcoming elections and referendums. 

"We start conversation and say, 'What do you think about housing? Do you know that there's housing legislation that's coming up in this round regarding housing?'" said Tyshianna Bankhead, Executive Director for FCCG. "Who you put in office has an effect on housing equity, and so that's kind of how we bridge having them be involved throughout the year." 

Dr. Kent Redfield, Professor Emeritus in Political Science at UIS, says elections often rely on undecided voters to cast their ballot, especially when it comes to local elections and issues. He says following the presidential debate, it's crucial for organization to connect with voters. 

"The vote does not count until you actually get the person to fill out the ballot or to go to the voting booth," said Dr. Redfield. "In this kind of environment, we have many more voters that don't have strong party alliances, or have single-issue candidates." 

Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 5th. 

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