Want to make a big difference in a short amount of time? It’s time to triple your impact by getting three friends or classmates to vote. The best part? It’s easy, you can do it from anywhere, and it’s a great way for anybody to help with voter turnout.
How does it work? Simply text three of your friends and encourage them to vote.
Why is this so effective?
Your friends care about what you have to say and together you can support, encourage, and hold each other accountable for voting! Plus it promotes responsible voting habits and builds a culture that encourages civic engagement.
It’s also a great way to mobilize others if you cannot vote. Let your friends know that their vote matters for so many others who can’t vote. Remember that civic engagement isn’t just about ballots, it’s also about strengthening our democracy and advocating for issues that you care about.
Here’s what to do
Send a text message to three of your friends and ask them to pledge to vote. Think about what message will resonate with them most—is it an issue they’re passionate about, caring for their community, wanting their voice to count? Or are they mostly in need of resources and information to help them register to vote or request an absentee ballot?
Use this to craft your message. (If you use social media to connect with your friends, make sure you’re talking to them directly, not making a general ask of all your friends and followers—early research shows that isn’t as effective as asking friends directly.)
I messaged three of my friends, now what?
Remind them of their pledge over the coming months, most importantly in the days immediately leading up to Election Day. You can also let them know when key election dates or deadlines are coming up.
Bonus points: Set a calendar reminder to follow up with your friends the day before the election or at other key points in the election process, such as when early voting begins or when deadlines are approaching for requesting an absentee ballot. A reminder to vote is especially powerful when it comes from a friend!
Want to see this activity in action? Check out this story: Friend-to-friend pledge boosts voter turnout in Intermountain West
Want to go bigger?
Organize a virtual voter registration drive! We’ve pulled together all of the tools and resources you need to make sure your friends, family, and community members are registered to vote.