Share With Your Friends and Family!

People are more likely to vote when they’re asked by someone they know. You are the best ambassador for voting in your community! You’ll be more effective at getting your friends’ attention than a stranger who is volunteering, and it’s one of the easiest ways to maximize your impact this election.

• Share this website! We have put together sample texts, emails and social media posts to help you spread the information you found through National Voter Education Week!
  
• Vote tripling! Vote tripling allows you to leverage your personal relationships and boost voter turnout at the same time! Once you’ve made your plan to vote, invite your friends, family or colleagues to join you! Whether you are just carpooling, making a day out of it, or grabbing lunch and voting on your lunch break, bringing people with you is one of the best ways to build trust in the election! If you’re voting by mail, fill out your ballots together. By encouraging people to vote with you, you can significantly increase the likelihood that they cast their ballots. Vote tripling creates a sense of community and empowers people to play a role in our democracy by doing it with someone they trust!
  
• Start conversations about the election! Engaging in discussions about the election is a great way to raise awareness and inform others. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about why voting is important and share information about key issues on the ballot. These conversations can take place anywhere—over a meal, at a community gathering, or even online. By discussing the election, you help demystify the process and encourage others to participate, fostering a more informed and active electorate.

• Remind them of deadlines ahead of Election Day. Newer voters may not realize they have to register as far as 30 days in advance. Your friends and family may need to update their voter registration if they have recently moved, changed their name, or if they haven’t voted in a few years. Young voters may need support on how and when to get an absentee ballot if they are away at school. They may be planning on going on vacation on Election Day, so you can encourage them to vote early. You know what’s going on with them, so you are the best person to help voting fit into their lives. 
  
• Tell them about their options to vote. Not everyone knows that (in almost all states) you can vote before Election Day, and their schedule may not allow them to stand in line on Election Day. You can share what flexible voting options are offered in your community, such as early voting, in-person absentee voting, voting by mail, and same-day voter registration.
  
• Make sure they cast a ballot that counts. Start a conversation with your friends, family, and colleagues about voter ID if your state requires it. It’s especially important to check if those close to you are:
  • LGBTQ+
  • A voter with a disability
  • A first-time voter
  • A college student
    
• Help them understand what’s on their ballot! Talk to your friends and family about what they are voting for, and encourage them to look into the local, state, and federal candidates, ballot measures, and referendums on the ballot. You can discuss how what they are voting for ties back to the values and issues that they care about.
  
• Build trust in our election systems. Navigating conversations about trust in our elections can be complex, especially given the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. However, there are resources available to help you engage in constructive discussions and promote understanding within your community. Fostering open dialogue is crucial in building trust and confidence in our democratic system.

Starting a conversation about voting with friends and family who may not be interested in participating in the election can be challenging, but it’s essential for ensuring everyone’s voice is heard in our democracy:

• Focus on the issues rather than specific candidates. Encourage your friends and family to reflect on the issues that matter the most to them. Oftentimes, there are local or state candidates or ballot measures that allow voters to have a more direct impact on the issues they care about, and they can have a say in shaping policies that directly impact their lives.
  
• With candidates, there is no “one-size fits all.” While no single candidate will perfectly align with all their beliefs, remind them that they should find a candidate who best represents and is closest to their values. By prioritizing this alignment, they can make informed decisions that reflect their principles and priorities.

• Making a Voting Plan “Hey [Name], I just figured out my voting plan for this election – I’m doing early voting next weekend because Election Day is always so busy for me. Have you thought about when and how you want to vote? There are actually quite a few options!”
• Exploring Local Races “I was looking at my sample ballot and realized there are so many local positions I’ve never really paid attention to – like school board and city council. Want to research some of these together? I figure these probably affect our daily lives more than I realized.”
• Understanding Ballot Measures “Have you seen the ballot measures for this election? There’s one about [school funding/park improvements/transit] that could really impact our neighborhood. I’m trying to understand what they actually mean – want to figure them out together?”
• Connecting Issues to Candidates “I’ve been thinking about what issues matter most to me this year – things like [affordable housing/education/local business support]. Have you thought about your priorities? I’m curious if there are candidates who focus on those things.”
• Building Election Confidence “I just learned some interesting stuff about how our local elections actually work and all the safeguards they have in place. It made me feel way more confident about the whole process. Want me to share what I found out?”

NationalVoterEducationWeek.org has everything you need to get your friends and family up to speed with what they need to know for the election! We have resources and FAQs to help your community register to vote, get to know their ballot, make a plan to vote, and understand the voting process! We’ve put together sample text messages and social media posts to make it easy for you to share these resources with your friends, family and colleagues.

Go straight to the source! Your local and state election official website has the most accurate, up-to-date, and official information about elections in your area.

Get support on Voter ID! VoteRiders provides state-by-state voter ID rules, guides for special circumstances and hands-on support to ensure every voter can successfully cast their ballot!

Yes, it is appropriate to discuss voting with friends and family members who have different political beliefs. It can lead to productive conversations and a better understanding of each other’s perspectives. If you are seeking to avoid conflict, stick to talking about the facts about how the voting process works. For example, you can mention, “Did you know early voting is starting next week?” This keeps the conversation focused on practical information rather than contentious political debates.

• Share information about the voting process and deadlines. New voters may not know which ID to bring or how far in advance to register to vote. Providing information on registration deadlines, required identification, and voting procedures can help them feel more prepared and confident.
  
• Focus on issues rather than specific candidates. If they’re not excited about some of the candidates, pivot the conversation to the issues and how elected officials will impact them. Emphasize the importance of voting for representatives who align with their values and priorities.
  
• Provide ballot research resources. Offer resources that allow them to research candidates and ballot measures. Helping them feel informed about their choices can increase their confidence in participating in the election.
  
• Identify and address barriers to voting. Discuss potential barriers, such as lack of transportation or conflicting work schedules, and offer solutions. Make a plan to go to the polls together and offer assistance with transportation if needed.
  
• Help them make a voting plan and follow up. Work together to create a voting plan, including identifying their polling place and exploring early voting options. Follow up with them closer to Election Day to ensure they follow through with their plan and cast their ballot

Find key, essential voter information for how to vote in the United States in your preferred language, from the menu options below:

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