By LOU WHEELAND

Special to The Press

Lehigh Valley Stands Up and Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley had a “Vote Today Lehigh County” on Oct. 13 at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. 7th St., Allentown.

Designed as a party, those who submitted mail-in ballots for the General Election were treated to a free taco.

This was the first day voters could drop off their ballots at the collection box at the Government Center.

According to its website, “Lehigh Valley Stands Up is a grassroots organization formed by leaders throughout the Lehigh Valley. Together we will build a multiracial working class force for transformative political change in the Lehigh Valley, making a difference on issues and in elections in the years ahead.”

Ashleigh Strange is a founder and Lehigh Valley organizer for Stands Up, as well as the spokesperson for the group.

According to the Promise Neighborhoods’ website, “Promise Neighborhoods are aspirational neighborhoods committed to the success of children, from cradle to career. Each neighborhood strives to mobilize its unique assets - people, businesses, programs and services, resources, public policy - within self-governing bodies that practice shared decision-making, shared resources, shared accountability, and shared outcomes for the children living and learning in the neighborhood.”