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Who Votes?

6 Weeks from Election Day

Our democracy is distorted by gaps in voter participation driven by an array of historical and structural factors. Candidates for office and their campaigns, driven by win-lose stakes and rigid deadlines, devote their limited resources to wooing voters with a history of participating in more elections. New voters and those with a less consistent voter history are often overlooked by campaigns. Without that contact voters may be unaware of elections or less interested in participating, fueling a negative feedback loop.

Nonprofits can disrupt the cycle and bring about more voter participation and a more representative electorate. Our goals are not tied to winning or a single election cycle. Consistent, relevant, and helpful information and messaging about voting will increase voter participation among your staff, supporters, and those you serve. Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to equity by standing up for democracy.

Key messages
  • In the last midterm elections, about half of all eligible voters didn’t cast a ballot. Can we beat our state’s voting rate from 2018 and ensure our community moves in the right direction?
  • Elected officials must be accountable to young people and people of color. The diversity of our country should be reflected in who votes.
    • The youth vote could determine the outcome of elections in many states.
    • The number of Latino voters nearly doubled from 2014 to 2018, nearing presidential election levels. Let’s keep up the progress and close the turnout gap.
    • More than half of registered Asian Americans surveyed in 2022 say they plan to vote, but less than half have been contacted by either of the major parties.
  • People who don’t vote regularly are more likely to say that decisions made by elected officials don’t impact them. Let’s connect the dots between voting and the services that matter most.

Templates

Email or Letter

Dear [Name of Receiver],

Dear [Name of Receiver]

There are just 6 weeks before the midterm elections. All eligible voters should check their registration ahead of the deadline and make a plan for how and when they will cast their ballot. Visit NonprofitVoter.org for more election information.

Midterm elections typically have much lower voter turnout rates than presidential election years despite their importance. The outcome of these elections will determine the direction our country and state takes over the next 2-6 years. Education, employment, the environment, healthcare, housing, and much more will all be impacted. If you’re unsure whether your vote will make a difference, look up your sample ballot here to see which elections and measures you will get to decide. You may need to look up what some of the offices lower on the list do, but you might also be surprised by how much they matter!

If you know for sure that you will vote, then you need to share that enthusiasm! Reach out to a few friends or family members and help them connect the dots between voting and services that matter.

[You may insert a relevant local matter or key message from above here.] Thank you for being our partner in democracy,

[Organization Signature]

Text

Hi! I’m [name of sender] with [insert organization] and we are invested in the power of your vote. The election is only 6 weeks away, so make sure your voter registration is up to date at NonprofitVoter.org

Video Chat

Thank you for attending our [Name of event]. We at [your organization] are invested in the power of your vote. The election is only 6 weeks away, so make sure your voter registration is up to date at NonprofitVoter.org

Additional Resources

Sample Social Media

 (right-click on each image to save it to your device) 

Facebook

About half of all eligible voters didn’t cast a ballot in the last midterm elections. Can we beat our state’s voting rate from 2018 and ensure our community moves in the right direction?

The election is only 6 weeks away, so make sure your voter registration is up to date at NonprofitVoter.org. Then reach out to a friend and ask them if they plan to vote. We can only hold our elected officials accountable if more of us start voting!

Twitter

People who skip elections are more likely to say their voice doesn’t matter. They’re also more likely to get their info from social media. So if you’re reading this, you need to get #VoteReady at NonprofitVoter.org