The Skirball’s upcoming exhibtion is designed to inspire conversations about the democratic process. (image courtesy of Aram Han Sifuentes and Ishita Dharap)

In anticipation of the 2020 presidential election, the Skirball Cultural Center presents “The Official Unofficial Voting Station: Voting for All Who Legally Can’t.”

Conceived by artist-activist Aram Han Sifuentes, this online exhibition reimagines the act of voting as it could be: broad, inclusive and cause for celebration. The playfully designed polling place welcomes everyone to cast a symbolic ballot, regardless of the legal barriers that prevent approximately 92 million people in the United States from participating in elections.

Visitors to the site can choose their candidate for U.S. president, weigh in on the ways they think voting access should be expanded and name the issues that matter most to them. As ballots are cast, the site will keep a running tally, revealing over time the participants’ values and visions for the future of America. Participants will be eligible to receive by mail the artist’s custom Voting Stickers for All, clever infographics about U.S. voting rights and an advocacy toolkit, all created to inspire public support for greater access to the vote.

“The continued expansion of American enfranchisement is core to the democratic ideals that inspire the Skirball’s mission to build a more just society,” Skirball President and CEO Jessie Kornberg said. “We are honored to present the work of Aram Han Sifuentes, whose aspirational voting station envisions how our community might thrive when every voice counts, no matter how young the voter or how new the American.”

Initially planned as a gallery installation, “The Official Unofficial Voting Station” will be a digital experience in light of the ongoing closure of California museums due to COVID-19. It will be free and accessible at skirball.org/voting-station from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. To complement the online experience, Sifuentes is collaborating with L.A-based artists and educators Marianne Sadowski and Carol Zou to lead pop-up, in-person activities in neighborhoods across the city.

In November, Sifuentes will lead a hands-on workshop specially designed for children and families. In the fall of 2021, the Skirball will open “Talking Back to Power: Projects by Aram Han Sifuentes,” which will feature a selection of Sifuentes’s work, including “Protest Banner Lending Library” and her participatory embroidery project, “U.S. Citizenship Sampler.”

“We are honored to work with Aram Han Sifuentes over the coming year and to join her in exploring forms of civic participation and belonging,” Skirball curator Laura Mart said. “With ‘The Official Unofficial Voting Station,’ we urge everyone, whether you can legally vote or not, to cast a symbolic ballot, make your voice heard and confront questions at the heart of Sifuentes’s body of work: Who has, and who doesn’t have, the power to make decisions in our democracy? And what would our elections look like if people who cannot vote could?”

To further showcase its commitment to preparing voters for the election, the Skirball is also launching other events, in addition to serving as a vote center from Oct. 23 through Election Day.

On Tuesday,  Oct. 13, the League of Women Voters Los Angeles and the Skirball will co-present the virtual talk “California Ballot Measures: Pros and Cons with the League of Women Voters,” offering a nonpartisan overview of the most pressing state ballot measures up for a vote in California this Nov. 3. Reservations are required.

For information, visit skirball.org.