Ekhlas came to Maine at age 12, with her family from Darfur, Sudan. As my guest in 2017 she told her personal immigration story and read her own poetry. You can hear that whole interview by clicking here.
Ekhlas is now the Citizenship and Civic Engagement Coordinator for the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center. She is currently registering immigrants to vote in the upcoming general election.
Her insights about the barriers to voting and the joys of participating are shared in this Covid-friendly Zoom recording.
FMI: You can find Ekhlas at Ekhlas@WelcomeImmigrant.org

Other organizations supporting immigrants in the Get Out The Vote effort which Ekhlas refers to in the interview include:
League of Women Voters, Maine (non-partisan)
Gateway Community Services (who offer voting info in numerous languages)
Portland Adult Education (helps with filing forms)

Music: Miley Cyrus sings "The Climb"