Museum Mixes Halloween Candy With Voter Outreach
Hundreds of families attended a Trick or Vote event at the National Civil Rights Museum that paired costumes and candy with voting information.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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The National Civil Rights Museum hosted a Trick or Vote event on Saturday, combining Halloween candy and costumes with voter resources. Attendees could access voting information and check whether they had already voted as Election Day approached.
Why it matters
The event was designed to make conversations about voting accessible and engaging for families in Memphis ahead of Election Day. Organizers aimed to lower barriers to participation by answering practical questions about registration status and ballot contents.
Organizers reported that hundreds of families attended the Saturday event, though no exact headcount was provided. Whether attendance changed voter registration or turnout remains unmeasured.
The players
National Civil Rights Museum
A Memphis museum on the site of the Lorraine Motel, dedicated to the American civil rights movement and its history.
Venita Doggett
Executive director of MICAH, a Memphis faith-based community organization focused on civic and social justice work.
Veda Ajamu
Chief engagement officer for the National Civil Rights Museum, responsible for community outreach and programming.
Tikeila Rucker
Executive director of Memphis For All, a local organization working on civic participation in Memphis.
Cardell Orrin
Executive director of Stand for Children, an advocacy organization focused on children's education and civic issues.
The details
Volunteers handed out candy while asking visitors whether they had voted and what was on their ballot. Organizers also shared voter resources and helped attendees plan how to vote if they had not yet done so, with visitors encouraged to come dressed as civil rights heroes or voting rights advocates.
Timeline
Saturday, October 31, 2026: Trick or Vote event held at the National Civil Rights Museum.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election Day.
Civic Context
The museum's own history at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, anchors its present-day push to tie civil rights history to voting. Events like this extend that mission into the period immediately before an election.
Residents who have not yet voted can use the resources shared at such events to confirm what identification they need and where to vote. Checking registration status before Election Day can prevent problems at the polls.
The takeaway
Organizers hope families leave knowing where to vote, what identification they need, and how to make their voices heard. Confirming your registration and polling location early reduces the risk of last-minute complications.
What happens next
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when residents can cast their ballots.
Further reading
Explore more Memphis civic engagement coverage for local voting and participation stories.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Actionnews5.
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