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2008-2009 Voter Rights/Registration Packet

Conducting a Successful Voter Registration Drive

Step 1: Develop a plan for your drive

Appoint one person or a group of people to head up organization of the drive. This person/group should:
Call the local elections office to find out the specifics of conducting a voter registration drive in your area, as requirements vary from state to state.
Assign responsibilities to individuals to handle matters such as publicity, obtaining registration materials, and making arrangements pertaining to the site.
Decide the day, location, and time for your voter registration drive.
Have a registration table at a large event or conduct the drive on a special day to increase the number of voters you register.

Step 2: Prepare for and publicize the drive

Obtain necessary registration materials like forms, pens, and clipboards.
Obtain other materials like stickers, voting brochures, and polling place maps.
Make arrangements for the drive including, arranging a location and food.
Recruit some volunteers or other staff to help out with registration. Area college or high school students are a valuable resource to help with registration.
Create flyers and posters to publicize the registration drive. Make sure that staff of your organization and the clients the organization serves are aware that a registration drive is coming up. Frequently, individuals experiencing homelessness are unaware that they are able to vote. In the buildup to the registration drive, you can inform people that even though they may not have a physical address they may still vote.

Step 3: Conduct the registration drive

Have food available to attract passers-by and have stickers and other voting materials on hand to give out.
Be ready to answer questions that people may have about registering. Refer to the frequently asked questions at the end of this section.
Do not be shy. Ask everyone who passes by if they are registered to vote, would like to register to vote, or would like to re-register to vote. Try to find ways to overcome any excuses people give for not registering to vote.
Check to see if the forms are filled out correctly.
Offer to mail the completed forms.

Step 4: Get out the vote!

Put flyers up in your organization to remind your clients to vote on Election Day.
Hand out sample ballots at your organization.
Help educate newly registered voters about the voting process by inviting elections officials to speak at your organization.
Hold a candidates forum or invite candidates to volunteer at your organization in order to get clients better acquainted with the issues and the candidates.
Offer transportation to the polling place.
Volunteer your organization as a polling site (contact your county elections office to learn more about this).

Overcoming Resistance by Individuals

When people do not wish to register to vote, it is often because they may not understand how voting can affect their lives. It is your job to try to find out why they do not want to register and to help them determine why it is important that they register and vote.

Below are some suggestions for how to do this. It is important, however, for you to use your own words and creativity to express your desire to help others register to vote. You are out there because on some level you believe in the importance of voting. Why is it so important to you? Be yourself and share this honestly with those to whom you are talking.

1. Find out why she is saying “no.”
Remember an excuse may hide a more basic reason. For example, she may say, “I really don’t have time,” when, in fact, she really means, “I don’t want to take the time to register because I don’t believe voting matters.”

Listen carefully. Is it a real reason or just an excuse? If it is an excuse, what question will you use to uncover the real reason for not wanting to register?

For example:

Volunteer: “Hi, I am concerned about affordable housing and am out here today registering people to vote. Would you like to register?”
Non-Voter: “Thanks anyway, but I don’t want to register.”
Volunteer: “Why not?”
Non-Voter: “Those politicians are all alike anyway. They don’t do anything for us once they get elected.”

2. Agree with her.
Make yourself her friend, not an opponent. Let her know that you heard what she said and that you share her concern.

What will you say to let her know you heard them and that you understand that they have a valid concern?

Volunteer: “Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes it seems like none of the politicians are working for you and me; they’re just working for people who have a lot of money.”

3. Use her reason to convince her.
Explain how her concern is really a reason she should register.

Given her valid concern, what is a great reason for her to register now?

Volunteer: “That is why I am out here registering voters. I am fed up with politicians getting away with that just because people like us are not voting. You know, in the past some elections were decided by just a few hundred votes.”

4. Ask if you can help her fill out the registration form.
Let her know that you are a trained volunteer and can answer any voter registration questions that she may have.

Volunteer: “It takes just a couple of minutes to fill out the form. Can I give you a hand?”

Final Step: Turn Registered Voters into Volunteers

If you have made sure that a person really is registered, is your job done? No! People who are already registered are your best prospects to become volunteers. So what do you say once you know someone is already registered? “Great, but do not go away. Listen, it is people like you and me — people who understand how important it is for everyone to vote -- who are the heart of our campaign. You know we have an election coming up, and it could have a big impact on the future of housing, human services, jobs, and all kinds of issues. Do you think you could work with us for a few hours?" Get their name, address, phone number, and email.

At the very least, try to get them to refer their friends or family to the registration event!

Common excuses people give for not wanting to register— and sample responses you can give, using the 4-Step Strategy:

Excuse: “I don’t have time.”

Your response: “I know you are busy. That is why we are out here, to save you the time of going down to the registrar’s office. This way you will not have to give up your right to vote, and it will take less than a minute. Can I help you fill out this form?

Excuse: “My candidates always lose anyway.”

Your response: “I know what you mean. I have been really frustrated the same way. And then I found out that many people did not vote last time. So people like you and me who are fed up have gotten together and we are going to register 5,000 people right here in town. Can I help you fill out this form?

Excuse: “I think I’m already registered.”

Lots of people who think they are already registered have actually been taken off the registration rolls — usually because they moved. If someone tells you they have already registered, try “Great, have you moved or changed your name since you last registered?”

Excuse: “I’m homeless.”

A person has the right to vote no matter where they live, provided they meet other voter eligibility requirements. A location of residence must be indicated on the registration form so that officials may verify the precinct in which you live. A mailing address is used to send elections materials and keep the voter registration list current.

Excuse: “I don’t have an ID”

Please see Common Issues at the end of this guide.

Excuse: “I have been convicted of a crime.”

Most people think that they cannot vote if they have been convicted of a crime, yet many states allow convicted felons to vote, either automatically after release from prison, parole, or probation or once they have applied for restoration of their voting rights. Ask your City/County Elections Office about your state’s laws on this topic.

Frequently Asked Questions by Individuals

Am I eligible to register and to vote?

Yes, if you are:

• A citizen of the United States
• A legal resident of your state
• At least 18 years old by Election Day
• Not in prison, not on probation, not on parole, and have not committed a felony (varies from state to state; check with your City/County Elections Office)
• Not declared mentally incompetent by a court (varies, check with your City/County Elections Office)

Do I have to be 18 years old to register?

No. As long as you will be 18 on the day of the upcoming election then you may register to vote.

Must I read or write English in order to register or vote?

No. You may register and vote even if you cannot read or write. You may take to the voting booth a literate and registered individual who can assist you in the voting process, but not actually vote for you.

How can I register?

Although some states allow you to register online, most require that a voter registration form be filled out and mailed to the local county election office. You may also register to vote at your local elections office.

Where can I find the registration form?

Voter registration forms are available at post offices, libraries, fire stations, Departments of Motor Vehicles, welfare departments, Registrars of Voters, and City/County Elections offices. In addition, voter registration forms are available online and at many social service agencies.

When can I register?

You may register anytime, but do it by your state’s deadline if you want to vote in the upcoming election. Deadlines vary from state to state though most states’ deadlines are no earlier than a month before the upcoming election.

Does it cost anything to register?

No. Registration is free.

Am I registered once I fill out and mail the registration form?

No. You cannot be sure you are registered until you get a voter notification card from the county. If the notification card does not arrive within three weeks of mailing your registration, call your Registrar of Voters or City/County Elections Office and ask if you are registered.

Do I ever have to re-register?

Yes. If you move, change your name, want to change your political party, or have completed all conditions of a felony charge, you must register again. Please check with your City/County Elections Office as the rules governing re-registration vary from state to state. To re-register, fill out a new registration form with the correct information and send it to the local elections office.

What if I move right before the election?

You may vote by returningto your former precinct or by requesting an absentee ballot.

Will I remain a registered voter even if I fail to vote?

Yes. However, if you move, the state may send you a voter eligibility verification notice by mail to confirm your current eligibility. If you fail to respond to that notice and do not vote in two consecutive federal elections, the state may remove you from the voter list.

Can I register for someone else?

No. You can only register for yourself. However, you may help others fill out a form, but they must sign the form.

Do I have to choose a political party in order to register and to vote?

No. You may check the “decline to state” or independent box on the form if you do not wish to belong to a political party.

What is a political party?

A political party is a group of individuals who try to determine public policy by organizing to win elections and operate government.

How do I join a political party?

It is as simple as checking the box for the political party of your choice on the registration form. There are no requirements to join a political party.

If I declare a party of preference when I register, can I change later?

Yes, you just have to re-register.

Am I required to work for the party or contribute money to it?

No.

What is a Sample Ballot?

In some states, before each election, each registered voter receives a packet of information including a Sample Ballot, which is a replica of the ballot the voter will see at the polls. The packet also gives the time and date of the election, the location of your polling place, and an application to vote-by-mail.

What if I do not receive a Sample Ballot?

If it does not arrive two weeks before the election, call and request one from the Registrar of Voters or your City/County Elections Office.

Where will I vote?

Your polling place will be in your neighborhood. If you receive a Sample Ballot, the exact address will be shown on the back. Otherwise, the address will be on your registration card. Both should show whether the polling location is accessible to people with disabilities. Polling places may change from one election to another. It is important to go to the correct polling place because your name will not be on the roster of voters anywhere else.

What if my polling place is not accessible to the people with disabilities?

The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act requires polling places to be accessible to persons with disabilities whenever possible for federal elections. Where no accessible locations are available as polling places, states must provide other means for persons with disabilities to vote. In most states, you may vote by absentee ballot, and many states provide voting aids such as telecommunications devides for the deaf (TDD’s). Check with your local City/County Elections office to learn what you should do. If you prefer to vote in person, find out if curbside voting is available. If it is, get as close to your polling place as you can and a precinct board member will bring you a ballot for you to cast.

When are the polls open?

The hours that polling places are open on Election Day varies by state. However, usual hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Can I vote by mail?

Contact your City/County Elections Office for information on obtaining an absentee ballot and about deadlines.

Do I need identification documents when I go to vote or register?

When registering by mail, a driver’s license number or the last four digits of your social security number will be needed. If you are unable to supply either, you will be given a voter ID number and will be required to show some sort of ID when you go to vote on Election Day (the form of ID varies from state to state). Many states have further identification requirements so it is important to check with your local elections offices.

What if I need help in marking my ballot?

Ask Elections Officials at the polling place.

How long may I stay in the polling booth?

Take your time. Some states limit voting to ten minutes, but will extend that time if no other voters are waiting. You may take your pre-marked Sample Ballot into the polling place with you.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

You may request another one.

Can someone help me when I go to vote?

Yes, you may bring a friend, a relative, a teacher, a parent or anyone else. This person can help you read the ballot or use the voting booth to vote.

What will I be voting on?

You will either be voting on propositions, which are ballot measures that change local or state laws, or on candidates running for elective office. You do not have to vote on everything; you can just vote on the things you care about.

How do I vote?

Sign your name on a list of all the voters in your area.
A ballot will be given to you and you will then enter the voting booth.
You will put the ballot in the voting machine and mark your choices.
Officials at the polling place will provide directions on voting procedures.

Registering Tenants to Vote

Community housing and tenant groups can help people make their voice heard by offering voter registration and voter education. As with other registration efforts, it is best to have a point person in charge of organizing the voter registration drive and obtaining all the necessary registration forms. Voter registration methods include going door-to-door to talk to each tenant, registering tenants when they pay their rent, and offering registration during tenant meetings. Staff, board members, property managers, and tenants can all help. Remember to keep records on those you register to vote so you can include them in your voter education and get out the vote efforts.