As social workers, supporting the political power and participation of clients and communities directly aligns with our profession’s mission, Code of Ethics, and our impact.
Our toolkit includes a check list to help run a successful voter registration event, as well as links and print resources that allow people to check their registration in under 30 seconds and register to vote from a phone or tablet.
Make Your Voter Registration Drive a Success!
Getting ready
Check the rules in your state
- Some states have passed strict laws that apply to anyone who is registering others to vote. Be sure to check with election officials or civic organizations like the League of Women Voters ahead of time.
- Note: these rules generally apply to anyone collecting paper forms. When people register online on their phones or with a tablet you provided, they are technically registering themselves.
Consider how you will be registering voters
- Once you know the rules, decide how you will register voters. Will you use paper forms or help register people using a tablet or their own phones? There are advantages to each. Individuals can quickly and easily check their registration status on their phone. Tablets and paper forms allow you to better support someone who is registering or updating their information.
Figure out the logistics
- Get permission to host your event.
- Organize your volunteers
Gather materials
- If using paper, be sure to get voter registration forms in multiple languages, clip boards, pens, and copies of resources.
- When conducting your drive digitally, make sure you have the proper technology and/or print resources with QR codes for registrants. (see votingissocialwork.org for sample cards or QR codes)
- Make sure volunteers know the rules for voting in your state such as voter registration deadlines, voting if you are have a special circumstance like being unhoused or have a felony record, or whether 16- or 17-year-olds can register before turning 18.
- Have resources and links available for voters such as: where to find your polling location, how to vote by mail, or voting rights hotlines.
Set up your table
- Make your table look as inviting as you can! Candy, swag and music can help get people to your table!
Voter Registration Toolkit
This toolkit includes materials to help make your voter registration drive a success! Included are guidelines as well as print resources you can use at your event.
- Readiness Checklist: Our checklist walks you through the steps you’ll need to prepare for your voter registration event.
- Tips for Engaging Voters: Registering new voters can feel complicated and daunting. Our tips can help you feel more prepared and ready to engage new people.
- Voter Registration Flyer: Print our flyer to distribute at your event or to post around your organization. The QR code will help people check their registration or register to vote from their phone.
- Voter Registration Palm Cards: Save paper and ink by printing our palm cards - a more condensed version of our flyer. We recommend having them printed professionally on sturdy card stock paper and cut into quarters. Note: palm cards are formatted so they are ready to send to any printing service.
Visit our Help Others to Vote page for more information and resources.
Tips for engaging voters!
- Have a few responses ready! Here are a few helpful phrases and responses:
- “We want to make sure you are ready to vote. Do you have 20 seconds to check your voter registration?” Have a QR code ready to scan or have tablet ready.
- If a person says they are already registered, ask them if they want to sign up for text messages before every election. You can also remind them that if they have moved, changed their name, or have not voted in a while, it’s possible their registration is not current.
- What if they ask, why should I vote? "Elected officials give more attention and more resources to voters and communities that vote."
- Ask people to sign a pledge to vote, which makes people 22% more likely to vote. Post forms to build excitement. Signing up for text message reminders means they will get a reminder 30 days before every federal, state, local, special, and primary election!
- Don’t share opinions about candidates or parties. You can share the rules around who can vote in primaries. For example, in closed primary states, only voters registered with a party can participate in that party’s primary.