Who We Are

Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, an Indivisible group, is a grassroots nonpartisan organization that works to empower Arizona’s citizens to use their voices at the local level. A small group of women created CEBV after the 2016 federal election to facilitate using the Arizona State Legislature’s Request to Speak (RTS) system, recognizing this easy action as the "gateway drug to activism." We offer training, speaker series, policy analysis, ballot guides, calls to action and more, all focused on helping people make their voices heard on the issues that matter to them.

What We Do

Invest

​The CEBV Fellowship program provides young people ages 14-22 with hands-on experience  actively engaging with Arizona local and state government.

RTS

CEBV promotes the use of the Arizona State Legislature’s Request to Speak (RTS) system, which allows Arizonans to support, oppose, and comment on state legislation being considered. 

Amplify

CEBV is a force multiplier, collaborating with local and national groups to amplify our collective impact.

Inform

We provide citizens and groups with information that leads to direct action and positive change.

Advocate

As part of our work with Indivisible, CEBV works to challenge Arizona’s status quo through local advocacy. 

Our Impact

If you aren't at the table, you're probably on the menu.

CEBV helps people find their seats at the table with calls to action designed to drive direct advocacy and positive change. Published on Substack, our Weekly focuses on four key issues: democracy and voting rights, LGBTQ+ issues, our water future, and public education. Out of session, we broaden our focus with special reports on the state of politics in Arizona, including ballot initiatives, the judiciary, municipal and school board actions, and more

Since 2017, CEBV has registered over 18,000 Arizona residents for RTS and held hundreds of trainings on its use.

We present to groups as diverse as neighborhood associations, advocacy organizations, and civic clubs. We have an engagement of more than 20,000 followers in every county and legislative district in the state.

CEBV has forged relationships with numerous issue-based advocacy groups to amplify our collective impact. Voting rights and direct democracy are our foundational interests, as none of the other issues is safe if we are unable to vote for and elect lawmakers who will stand up for our interests.

CEBV's advocacy has continued to grow.

For the 2020 election cycle, based on district metrics and lawmakers' stances on bills tracked, we hosted 15 phone banks for pro-democracy legislative candidates and made over 10,000 calls.

In 2021, CEBV began weekly Zoom Happy Hours assist volunteers with RTS, answer questions about upcoming legislative actions, and share news and information. We also formed regional legislative working teams to focus on accountability for local legislators, election best practices, redistricting oversight and accountability, letters to the editor, and more.

In 2022, we added Testimony Training, a program to help everyday citizens advocate personally in public meetings on the issues they care about. Our Gavel Watch guide resulted in the removal of 3 Superior Court judges who were unqualified or whose biases put them out of step with Arizonans. 

In 2023, we broadened our reach even further with a speaker series featuring local and national political experts such as Rachel Bitecofer, Simon Rosenberg, and Laura Brill.

In 2024, our Youth Fellowship Program and High School Voter Registration projects got started.

What Others Are Saying

"Your training on RTS was professional and detailed. You provide a wealth of links & materials in your emails. The Happy Hour is a great way to stay informed & active. And thank you for answering & responding to my inquiries! I'm looking forward to continuing to work with CEBV!" — Amy in Tucson 

"Thank you for all you have done and continue to do so the public at large can participate in the system and make their voices heard. We couldn't have done it without you." — Cindy in Chandler

"We are in your debt — your premier consistent, insightful voice creates community and guides our energies into informed, meaningful political engagement. Thank you." — Judy in Scottsdale

"Can't thank you enough for all you do for the Big D (Democracy) here in Arizona!" — Linda in Globe

"Thank you for another superb weekly update packed full of useful information. I appreciate all the work that goes into this!" — Susan in Phoenix

"You've got the best perspective in the state! ​Everything you do is first class, reliable and inspirational. You take people by the hand and lead them to action – not an easy task, especially during a pandemic." — Ellen in Sedona

​"I admire the effectiveness of what you're doing. Who is providing you with your playbook? You're definitely too smooth to be just a bunch of volunteers." — Calvin in Snowflake