How to Conduct a Voter Registration Drive

Every U.S. citizen is guaranteed the right to vote. This is a constitutional right given to us so that we may select our nation's leaders. In many countries of the world, this right does not belong to the citizens, yet here in the Unite States, we take the right to vote for granted. Millions of people in each state have not registered to vote. This is a shame. If you would like to conduct a voter registration drive to encourage people in your area to vote, follow these simple steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Information from State Board of Election
• Supplies such as pens and clipboards
• Registration forms
• Volunteers

1. Contact the State Election Office or board of registrar's office in the county where you plan to hold the voter registration drive.
2. Explain to this office your desire to hold a voter registration drive. This office will provide you with information needed to organize and hold the drive.
3. Become a deputy registrar. This is usually not required but it is recommended to have a deputy registrar at your drive. This information can be found at the State Election Office or the local county board of registrar's office.
4. Obtain voter registration forms. These can be provided by the State Election Office or by the county registrar.
5. Store the completed voter registration forms properly until you can deliver them to the appropriate office.
6. Decorate your tables to attract attention so people are encouraged to register to vote. Be creative!
7. Make sure you have all the supplies to conduct the voter registration drive. You will need lots of pens, clipboards, forms and of course, volunteers!
8. Train your volunteers. Good volunteers will be bold, full of enthusiasm and excitement. They should have a voter registration form on a clipboard in-hand asking anyone who passes by if they are registered to voter.
9. Feel good about what you have accomplished! You and your volunteers have assisted other U.S. citizens in fulfilling one of their most important civic responsibilities by taking the first step in the voting process.

Tips & Warnings

• Setup your tables for your voter registration drive in a highly-trafficked area.
• Many states prohibit the exchange of a "reward" for registering others to vote. Balloons, candy, school credits or other incentives cannot be handed out to those who register to vote in your registration drive.
• Most states will not allow any campaign material of any type to be distributed or displayed on or around your registration tables.