Voting Matters
How To Increase Voter Registration and Voter Turnout
Despite record voter turnout in the last presidential election, the U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates compared to other established democracies. Historically, less than 60% of eligible voters participate in presidential elections. That percentage drops even lower in primaries, mid-term, state, and local elections.
And new voter suppression laws aren’t making it any easier. According to the Brennan Center, at least 18 states enacted 30 laws restricting access to voting in the first half of 2021. This includes making mail-in and early voting more difficult, imposing harsher voter ID requirements, and increasing the likelihood of faulty voter roll purges.
These two factors combine to further disenfranchise voters and weaken our democracy.
Here’s what you can do about it.
Register to vote!
Your vote is one of the most powerful tools to make your voice heard and hold elected officials accountable. The first step is making sure you are registered. Then, you need to know when, where, and how to vote in every election.
Have you moved? Just turned 18? Recently changed your name? Make sure your registration is up-to-date.
Resources to help you get registered or check your status:
Check your voter registration status with When We All Vote.
Get all the info you need about how to register and vote with state-by-state guides at How to Vote.
Register to vote with Vote.org.
Sign up for reminders about upcoming elections with Turbo Vote.
Help others register to vote and increase voter turnout
You don't need to get dozens of people to the polls. Just getting an extra two or three people to vote can make a huge impact. Some elections have even been decided by a single vote! See how voter turnout in your state compares to other states.
Help others register to vote
Take the Michelle Obama pledge to help neighbors, friends, and family register to vote and remind them to vote in the next election. Think about people you know who have recently moved, just turned 18, or never voted before.
Volunteer in a voter registration drive.
Get people to the polls
Participate in Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. Check with a trusted organization (such as the ones highlighted in this post) or look for local efforts in your community. During election years, most local and federal campaigns will also have robust voter registration and GOTV volunteer efforts for you to join.
Drive people without transportation to the polls. For example, you can coordinate with local groups or senior centers to provide transportation for those who may need it.
Become a poll worker
In 2020, the U.S. faced a record shortage of poll workers. As a poll worker, you can make sure that we have safe and fair elections where everyone’s vote is counted. Check out Power to the Polls for ways to help.
Support speakers of other languages by volunteering to translate and interpret. Policies vary from state to state so check with a voting rights organization in your area on how it works.
Share information about voting on social media
Demand reforms to modernize our voter registration process
Part of the reason the U.S. has low voter turnout is that we have an outdated voting system. We can make voting easier and ensure election integrity with reforms that increase registration rates, reduce voter roll errors, and save money.
Automatic voter registration
The U.S. is one of the few modern democracies that puts the responsibility of voter registration on the voter. Automatic voter registration (aka universal voter registration) ensures that any eligible voter is automatically registered to vote when they interact with government agencies such as the DMV. Automatic voter registration is already used in 20 states (see if your state is one of them).
Sign this petition from Common Cause to demand automatic voter registration in every state.
Read our post on how to increase your impact when signing a petition.
Same-day registration during early voting and on election day
Without universal registration, we need same-day registration. In some states, you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before election day. Voter registration deadlines disproportionately impact low-income voters, those who move frequently, and those with unreliable transportation. It unfairly disenfranchises newly eligible voters such as those who just turned 18 and new citizens. Twenty states and Washington D.C. currently have same-day registration (see if your state is one of them).
If your state does not have same-day registration, contact your state representatives and state elections officials.
Not sure how? Use this Common Cause petition to Massachusetts legislators to help you figure out what to say. And, check out our How To Contact Your Reps post. Or get involved in a state-specific group such as Common Cause or Indivisible to learn how you can take action.
Online voter portal
It’s time for the U.S. to enter the 21st century. We need a secure and accessible online voter portal that allows voters to register to vote, check and update their registration status, or make changes as needed. Note: we still need easy-to-access paper processes for those who lack access to the internet or have limited online literacy.
Block voter suppression bills and pass voting rights protections
Across the country, Republican-controlled state legislatures are eroding our democracy by using a range of tactics including undermining faith in our election system and introducing hundreds of bills aimed at suppressing voting rights.
Find out how your state compares on voting rights
The Brennan Center reports that as of July 14, 2021, more than 400 bills with restrictive provisions have been introduced by legislators in 49 states. And, 30 laws in 18 states have already been enacted. Check on your state with the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights Bill Tracker.
Pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Federal legislation is necessary to end rampant voter suppression, combat corruption, and ensure our right to participate in democracy.
While the Freedom to Vote Act is meant to expand voting rights more broadly, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act will help stop voter suppression in places with a history of suppression and disenfranchisement of marginalized groups.
We need both laws to ensure our right to participate in democracy. Learn how you can take action in our Protect Our Democracy post.
Support disenfranchised voters and secure the right to vote for all citizens
The U.S. has a long history of limiting access to the ballot box and disenfranchising voters of color. And today’s voter suppression tactics continue to disproportionately impact voters of color, along with young people, people who live in poverty, disabled people, and trans people. This decreases participation in civic life and representation in our democracy, preventing marginalized communities from taking part in decisions that affect their day-to-day lives.
We must increase voter registration and turnout among historically excluded communities.
Learn from, take action with, and donate to these groups
APIA Vote mobilizes Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in electoral and civic participation.
Black Voters Matter increases power in marginalized, predominantly Black, communities because effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny.
Center for Common Ground educates and empowers under-represented voters in voter suppression states to engage in elections and advocate for their right to vote.
Fair Elections Center uses litigation and advocacy to remove barriers to registration and voting, particularly those disenfranchising underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Four Directions advances equality at the ballot box across Indian Country.
Rev Up is a campaign of AAPD to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities.
Rock the Vote helps build the political power of young people and increase their participation in our democracy.
The Sentencing Project protects voter eligibility and full civic inclusion for formerly incarcerated people.
Spread The Vote helps members of marginalized communities empower themselves to be heard at the polls: with IDs, registration, education, and turnout.
Trans Lifeline supports trans people with legal name changes and updated government identification documents.
Voto Latino focuses on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters and creating a more robust and inclusive democracy.
Vote Riders provides voter ID assistance so that every American can cast a ballot that counts.
Vote!
It’s important to vote in EVERY election. This includes primaries, mid-terms, state, and local elections. Local elections are often decided by a handful of votes, but the people elected in races like school board, city council, and city clerk are making life-altering decisions today about things like banning the teaching of the history of racism in schools, COVID safety protocols, and yes - even voting rights. State legislators can open the door to or be the barrier against racist voter suppression laws. Your vote is incredibly important.
We know it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s on the ballot and who to cast your vote for.
Here are some tips to make it easier.
Sign up for election alerts
Never miss an election deadline or opportunity to vote. Sign up for election alerts and reminders with your go-to voting rights group or with Turbo Vote.
Research what’s on the ballot and how you want to vote
Get a sample ballot. Sometimes there are ballot measures beyond voting for elected positions. Ballotpedia offers a sample ballot tool that you can fill out ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect once you reach the ballot box.
Learn about the candidates and what they stand for. Find out about the bills they’ve introduced, their voting history, the committees they serve on, and the political contributions they’ve received with this Common Cause database, Ballotpedia tool, and My Reps database.
Look for voting guides and endorsements from trusted organizations to help you. You can often find voting guides to help you identify candidates’ positions on the specific issues you care about. For example, sign up with #Voteprochoice to receive a voter guide on pro-choice recommendations for every race on your ballot.
Make a voting plan
Figure out when, where, and how you need to vote (early, online, in-person, absentee). And, then make your plan to get it done!
Share this information
Talk to your friends and neighbors who may not even know there’s an election happening. Help them make a voting plan too.
Vote on November 2! (And any time there is an election.)
Even though 2021 is an off-year election, there are still many important races and special elections taking place across the country. Find out what’s on the ballot where you are and make a plan to vote!
Become a voting rights advocate
No matter what state you are in, there is still work to be done to protect voting rights and end voter suppression. Check out this guide from Indivisible for step-by-step actions you can take right now to become a voting rights advocate.
Take Action
Choose one action and just do it!
Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Everyone has something important to offer. We present a range of actions that empower you to help in ways that are right for you. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, you can make a difference.
Learn more in our How To Be An Everyday Activist guide.
Make a difference on the issues you care about.
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Originally published September 28, 2021.
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