Evanston Groups Hold Poll Party Before Midterms

Delta Sigma Theta and the Evanston/North Shore NAACP encouraged early voting with a community event at the Robert Crown Community Center.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a brick civic building with an arched doorway and a flag on its roofline, evoking community civic participation. — Evanston's Delta Sigma Theta chapter and the Evanston/North Shore NAACP held a Poll Party to encourage early voting before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you plan to vote in the November midterm elections?

The Evanston-North Shore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Evanston/North Shore NAACP held a community Poll Party ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Attendees wrote responses to 'Why was it important for you to vote today?' on a posterboard and received chocolates and stickers.

Why it matters

The event was part of the Souls to the Polls campaign, which seeks to drive voter turnout and civic engagement among Evanston residents. Participating churches are also promoting early voting to their congregations.

Attendees were asked to answer in three words on a posterboard, which organizers plan to turn into a word collage. The event was held ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, but total participation was not reported.

The players

Delta Sigma Theta

A historically Black sorority founded in 1913 at Howard University that runs community service and civic engagement programs across the United States.

Evanston/North Shore NAACP

The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People serving Evanston and the North Shore area of Illinois.

Willie Shaw

The political action and civic engagement chairperson of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP who led voter outreach for the Poll Party.

The details

Organizers obtained lists of local churches from Evanston Own It and Evanston Interfaith Clergy, and participating congregations provided early-voting pledges and posted bulletins urging members to vote. Willie Shaw, political action and civic engagement chairperson of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP, shared that she once missed casting her ballot after being forced to leave town for a family emergency.

Nov. 1: Poll Party held at Robert Crown Community Center.
Nov. 3: Midterm elections.

Civic Engagement Pattern

The Evanston event follows the Souls to the Polls model, in which Black churches promote early voting to their congregations. Here, local churches pledged early voting alongside a community Poll Party ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.

Evanston residents who want to vote early can check with their local churches and community groups for pledge drives and voting information. The Nov. 3 midterm election is the deadline for casting ballots in this cycle.

The takeaway

Community-based outreach through churches and local civic groups can bring voters into the process, especially when paired with early-voting options. Residents who have not yet voted should confirm their plans before the Nov. 3 deadline.