Nonprofits play a crucial role in helping communities vote with confidence and clarity. With Election Day upon us, here’s a guide to effective last-minute communication for nonprofits to support voters and strengthen trust in the election process. From sharing polling details to encouraging patience, these strategies will help foster a positive, informed voter experience.
1. Provide Last-Minute Checklists for Voters in Your GOTV Communications
You can help equip voters with essential information they need for Election Day. In emails going out in the coming days, consider providing information like:
- Polling Location and Hours: Direct voters to state election offices to find polling locations and hours in their area.
- Voter ID Requirements: Provide information on state-specific voter ID requirements, including what they need to bring when they go to the polls. Learn more about your state’s specific rulings and requirements with VoteRiders comprehensive guide here.
- Same Day Registration: If Same Day Voter Registration is available in your state, let voters who may not have registered know they can still register and vote on Election Day. Remind them that proof of residency is required (in all same-day registration states).
- Election Protection Hotlines: Share hotline numbers to ensure voters know where to turn for assistance or run into problems trying to vote. There are also Whatsapp and Facebook options on the hotline website
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Call or Text!
- Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
- Mail-In Ballot Curing: Remind voters who mailed in ballots to check in on their ballot status on their state election website. If their ballot has not been accepted for some reason, ballot curing options may be available for voters whose mail-in ballots have minor issues (like missing signatures or dates) to ensure their vote is counted.
2. Messaging Tips for Your Election Day Communications
As a nonprofit, you can boost confidence in the election process and support voters in navigating Election Day:
- Positive Reinforcement of Election Security: Emphasize that elections are managed with transparency, security, and bipartisan oversight, reinforcing confidence in the integrity of the process. Consider using posters like this one (or the social media equivalent).
- Patience During Ballot Counting: Encourage patience, reminding voters that accurate ballot counting takes time. Use your communications to explain that with mail-in and absentee ballots increasing, many states require extra time to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly.
- Thanking Election Officials and Poll Workers: Use social media to celebrate the hard work of poll workers and officials. See pages 84-87 in the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) toolkit for social media assets you can adapt.
3. Social Media and Digital Communication Tips
Use digital platforms effectively while remaining nonpartisan:
- Reminders and Nonpartisan Encouragement: Use social media to remind followers to vote while staying nonpartisan, i.e. without any language that could suggest support for specific candidates or parties. Avoid resharing or linking to any partisan content.
- Election Day Stories and Highlights: Show community members voting, share pictures of polling locations (if permitted), and showcase your organization’s commitment to civic participation.
- Do Not Share Questionable Content: There is a lot of misinformation and AI-generated content out there. Be sure to only re-share content from reliable sources. You can also search FactCheck, Politifact or Snopes to help ID fake stories. If in doubt, do not re-share it.
4. Thanking Voters and Encouraging Civic Engagement Post-Election
After Election Day, keep up the momentum by recognizing the importance of ongoing civic engagement:
- Thank Voters for Participation: Post a message appreciating those who voted, reinforcing their role in shaping the community’s future. See pages 84-87 in the EAC toolkit for social media assets you can adapt (thanks to voters is mixed in other thank you assets).
- Promote Continuous Engagement: Remind followers that civic engagement doesn’t end after the election. Share ways to stay active in community issues, such as attending local government meetings or participating in community discussions on issues relevant to your nonprofit’s mission.
By keeping these strategies in mind, your nonprofit can provide valuable support to voters on Election Day and beyond, strengthening trust and participation in the democratic process. Thank you for helping ensure that every voice is heard!
