Civic engagement
Through citizenship promotion, election protection, and turnout, PIC works to build immigrant electoral power and to address barriers to the civic participation of underrepresented immigrant communities.
New Citizens, New Voters
New Americans are a rapidly growing voting block in the United States, with an estimated 16 million New American voters nationwide. In the keystone state there are 600,000 New Americans statewide, which is larger than the entire city of Pittsburgh, the second biggest city in Pennsylvania.
PIC is committed to ensuring all new citizens are given information to register to vote and exercise their newly obtained voting rights. 2024 PIC volunteer Belinda Glijansky said,“As a naturalized citizen myself, I recall my naturalization ceremony as if it took place recently, though it was many, many years ago. Therefore, it was with admiration and humility that I watched as new Americans accepted the responsibilities and privileges of USA citizenship. I so appreciate having the right to vote! So, I was thrilled to register voters so they could soon exercise this right, too. Most people who registered showed enthusiasm and some said they would encourage friends and relatives to register and/or vote. Thank you, PICC, for this volunteer opportunity."
PIC's non-partisan civic engagement and election protection program provides education about voting rights, voting by mail, identification requirements, and language assistance through voter education calls and GOTV outreach.