Tuesday Tip: How you can help get out the vote on November 6

Tuesday Tip: How you can help get out the vote on November 6

The 2018 elections are the most important midterms in a generation. And if recent elections are any indication, every single vote will matter.

We need to vote against misogyny, racism, bigotry, and greed and vote for equality, justice and freedom. That’s why it’s more important than ever to all show up on November 6.  

It’s also essential that we encourage our friends, family—everyone we know—to go to the polls. Because these midterm elections are our chance to start reining in Trump and the Republican forces that are enabling him.

This is a defining moment. The November election will decide the future of every issue that’s important to us. Climate justice, environmental defense, economic fairness, women’s and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, voters’ rights, workers’ rights, freedom of speech. All of them will be on the line on election day.

That’s why we’re doing all we can to ensure a decisive turnout on November 6. Here’s how you can help.

Get personal

November 6 is just weeks away and in the final weeks before an election, the best way to get voters to the polls is to give them a nudge in person. Think of the people you know who support your candidates and causes and get in touch.

In fact, research shows that a face-to-face conversation is the most effective strategy to get out the vote. People respond positively to encouragement from friends, neighbors and coworkers they know and trust—like you. Remind them when the election is and ask about their plan for getting to the polls—what time they’ll go, how they’ll get there, etc. A study by Stanford University discovered that a simple chat like this can have a significant influence on voting behavior.

The free app VoteWithMe can help. You can use it to see which of your friends live in swing districts and need a reminder to vote. And if you’d like to do more as the election draws near, check out the Last Weekend, where you can volunteer to take action in the final days before November 6. Sign up and the group will get in touch to let you know how you can make a difference.

Promote the vote on social media

Right-wing operatives and Russian agents used social media to turn the nation for Trump in 2016. You can use social media to turn it back. With posts on your Facebook and Instagram profiles and tweets on your Twitter account, you can encourage your friends to get out and vote for progressive candidates and ballot measures.

Remind your friends that their friends will be voting. Studies have shown that people are more likely to vote if they know others are voting as well. This is called social pressure and it works.

Make sure to include a photo in your GOTV posts, because posts and tweets with pictures perform far better than those without. Take a selfie with a sign promoting your candidate or cause. Include relevant hashtags and encourage your friends to share. You might even build a movement.

Carpool to the polls

A lot of people say they don’t vote because they can’t get to their polling place on election day. You can offer to drive them there. Or let them know that Lyft is offering free and discounted rides to the polls.

Volunteer to GOTV

There are many get-out-the-vote organizations where you can volunteer to help make sure people actually go to the polls. They provide the structure and the tools that make it easy for you to mobilize voters. Check out Rock the Vote, When We All Vote and the Voter Participation Center.

Provide information

As an election approaches, a lot of people have a lot of questions. Am I registered? If I’m not, how can I get registered? How do I ask for an absentee ballot? Where’s my polling place? You can answer these questions by visiting Rock the Vote for polling information, The Voter Participation Center to register, or check out CREDO’s Voter Registration Guide for general information. Share any of these sites on your social media or send them in an email to friends and family to get them ready to vote.

 Your vote—and the votes of everyone you know—can make a decisive difference in the future of our nation and the world. Please do what you can to get out the vote on November 6 and support the progressive candidates and causes you believe in. We’ll see you at the polls.