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Electoral Organizing Guide 2012
Electoral Organizing Guide 2012
Step 1
Voter Registration
Step 2
Messaging
Step 3
Early Vote
Step 4
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LOCATION: On most campuses, there are multiple ideal sites to host a voter registration drive.
Many chapters choose to set up a table in a high-traffic part of campus and catch students
walking to and from class. Another option is to use clipboards and go to areas where students
gather, such as dining halls, recreation centers, or in line at a football game. For schools that
have campus transit, put College Democrats in pairs and have them ride a bus route,
registering students on their way to class. Another option is to register voters in local high
schools. Most high schools offer government and
economics classes, presenting a great opportunity to talk
Registering 10,000
to students about the importance of civic engagement,
Democrats wont do
starting with voting. Senior history classes are also a
any good if none of
great place to register young voters. Wherever you
choose, be sure to be excited and engaging. Make
them show up to vote
students want to talk to you!
on Election Day.
FOLLOW UP: At the end of the day, be sure to capture some crucial information before
turning in the voter registration forms. Not only do many chapters and state federations
choose to keep a running total of voters registered, it is also important to collect information
about who you registered to vote. Registering 10,000 Democrats wont do any good if none of
them turn out to vote on Election Day. Take the time to create a spreadsheet of the voters
you registered and their contact information. Be sure to contact them a few days before the
election to remind them to vote and contact them again on Election Day to be sure they have
cast their ballots. Depending on how many student volunteers you have available, you can
remind them to vote via phone bank or email and offer rides to the polling location, if it isnt
on campus.
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GETTING OUT THE MESSAGE: Although many students have already made their decision, a large
number of students are generally undecided. This is your chance to tell the students on your
campus why they should support the Democrats. Issue-based events are a great way for caucuses
to get involved with the election process. Consider tabling, hosting a forum or debate, or thinking
of a way to make a statement about a political issue. Include your friends from other
organizations to make a big statement and have a bigger impact on the election!
INCLUDING FRESHMEN: Inevitably, there will be a large portion of students who will not be
reached by voter registration and partnerships. Freshmen are particularly easy to get involved
since they are in a new environment and are trying to find their place on campus. Two easy ways
to reach freshmen are dorm storms and class visits. Dorm
storms can be used for issue-based advocacy or voter
This is your chance to
registration (or both!) to engage freshmen in the political
tell the students on
process. Going door-to-door in the dorms is a fast way to
canvass a large number of students quickly. Class visits are
your campus why they
another way to engage students. Many history or political
should support the
science professors will let students register voters at the
Democrats.
beginning of class. Sometimes, they will even offer bonus
points if students get involved with the political process.
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something social, so
have fun with it!
GET CREATIVE, GET EXCITED: Can you have people take photos with their I voted stickers?
Perhaps you can have one day dedicated to Greek life outreach, another for women voters, a third
for Hispanic student organizations, and so on down the line. Either way, early voting is your
opportunity to portray voting as something social, so have fun with it!
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work to pay off on Election Day. Host a pep rally for your
candidate on campus to get students excited about voting.
Invite the candidate or another elected official to speak.
Do students love your mascot? Is there an athlete or wellknown person who would be willing to come get the
students excited? Bring in food, music and fun to get
students ready to go to the polls on Election Day.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: This is your chance to your campus how strongly you support
your candidate. Get as many registered students as you can to commit to vote. Make it
interactive- find a way for students to show their support. They can write why they support
the candidate on a large wall in a visible spot on campus, sign a banner or take a picture to
post on social media sites. Get creative and show your campus that students are voting for
your candidate.
GET OUT THE WORD: By now, most people have made up their minds on how they want to
vote, so spend the second half of the week on voter mobilization. Dont let people forget to go
vote. Remember the list of students you registered over the past month? Pull that list out,
order some pizza and grab some friends to phone bank.
Remind students not only to go vote, but make sure
Dont let students
they have proper identification, know their polling
forget to vote!
locations and have a ride to the polls. Dont have the
time or base to phone bank? Send out a reminder email
or text message.
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POLL STRIKING: Some campaigns need volunteer poll strikers, people who stay at the
polling locations and check off supporters as they vote. Check with the campaign and see
what else they may need you to do on the big day.
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College Democrats
have a history of
working together to get
out the vote in critical
swing states during
presidential elections.
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TRAVEL: HOW WILL STUDENTS GET TO AND FROM THE CAMPAIGN INVASION?
YOURE GREAT IF:
There are affordable public transportation options to get students to and from the
invasion.
A commercial vehicle is available to borrow from another organization or the state party.
You can get donors to cover the cost of gas, or get gas cards as in-kind donations.
YOURE GOOD IF:
Students are willing to drive their personal vehicles.
Donors are able to offset the cost of travel and students are able to split the remaining
cost.
YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER IF:
There is no viable public transportation option and students dont have personal vehicles.
Donations arent available and the cost of travel is too high for students to cover
independently
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(Date)
Dear (Donor),
On behalf of the (State or Chapter) College Democrats, the Executive Board,
and the students who participated in our campaign invasion, we would like to thank
you for your generous donation that made our trip to canvass for (Candidate)
possible.
Without your support, we never would have been able to knock on (Number)
doors, register (Number) voters, and do our part to turn out support for (Candidate)
on November 6.
We are so grateful for this wonderful opportunity and cant thank you
enough for your generous support.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)
(Title)
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