Voter Mobilization—Get Out The Vote:

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Though often more time-consuming and expensive, many studies show that Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts are just as important, if not more important, than registering new voters. Just because someone is registered to vote, doesn’t mean she or he will show up at the polls on Election Day. If you are partnering with a community organization, your congregation can volunteer to be a part of their GOTV efforts. Here are a few tips on how to include GOTV activities in your voting projects.

Keep records of who you register to vote. Copy all registration cards before you send them in to the election office so that you have contact information for everyone. You can also create a simple database that includes people’s names, phone numbers, and their polling places for follow-up calls. During registration, you can also ask people for their email addresses to do electronic reminders.

Register Absentee Voters. Help college students, people in the military, and people with mobility problems obtain and use absentee ballots. Each state has different rules for voting absentee, so you will need to call the state election office or visit their website. Harvard's Institute of Politics has compiled comprehensive absentee ballot information (click link to “Vote 2004”). Also, see our Young Adult and Campus Resource .

Make sure voters are educated. See our section on Voter Education to make sure people know when and where the election will take place, what they need to bring to the polls, and what to expect once they get there. Be sure to also help them find Voter’s Guides inform them about the candidates.

Remind people to go to the polls.

• Use your database or the copies of registration to make phone calls, send post cards, do visits, or send electronic messages to voters about the upcoming election. Remind them of their polling place and what they are supposed to bring. Find out if they need a ride to the polls, and connect them with someone or an organization giving rides.
• Put a reminder in the Order of Service to remind members of your congregation to go to the polls.
• Post fliers throughout the community with all relevant information.
• Be creative! Have folks stand on the side of the street with sings saying “VOTE!” or put the message up on the church’s street sign.

Participate in “Call to a Faithful Decision Weekend” on either of the two weekends preceding the November 2nd election. Encourage your minister to preach about civic participation. For resources to launch the weekend, visit the Interfaith Alliance .

Help people get to the polls. Volunteer with an organization providing driving shuttles for people with mobility problems, and encourage employers in your community to give employees time off to go to the polls.

Contact Sarah Craft, UUA Voting Project Coordinator, voting@uua.org , with questions, resources, concerns, news, reports, and ideas about your congregation’s current or potential voting project.

Sign up for the UUA’s Voter-News E-mail List for weekly updates on voter resources and a chance to share your congregation’s activities and successes.

Unitarian Universalist Association
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