How to Encourage Someone to Vote
Apathy is often blamed for "why" people don't make it to the polls. But people often don't vote because of the disconnect they feel from politicians and everything the political realm stands for. It's that inability to feel as if their vote can make a difference. How do you get your friends to be engaged enough to make it to the polling place? Connect them to the political process in a way that is real. Move beyond the sensationalism, bland poli-speak or spin. It may often feel like you are trying to move mountains, but it's worth it because throughout history we have seen cases where one vote has indeed changed the course of history.
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Instructions
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How to Encourage Someone to Vote
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Invite your friends to political rallies and meetings. There is so much energy at such gatherings that it's bound to rub off on them and inspire them to think twice about forfeiting their precious votes. In addition, many of these gatherings, such as debate watch parties, also offer time for socialization and even music concerts after the actual event. It's a great way to meet others and often times people who are involved in good acts in the community, state and country.
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Talk issues. Lay out each candidate's views (from an objective source) on issues your friends hold dear. For example, if you know they are passionate about gun control, use that as a trigger point. Chances are that will hit a nerve and they'll react pretty strongly to candidates' views on issues that mean a great deal to them.
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Show the value of the vote. Reinforce that this is a right. Show them examples of places that do not have a democratic process--many of these places not only restrict the ability for your average person to vote, but they also restrict other rights and freedoms as well. Show them just how fortunate they are to have the right to decide something so crucial to not only their well-being, but the well-being of all the world's people.
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Demonstrate how one vote made a difference. There are examples of one vote literally making or breaking an election. In 1800 one Federalist broke a tie. Guess what? Thomas Jefferson went on to become our third president, not Aaron Burr. More examples like this are available on the ActiVote website, a nonpartisan group whose sole purpose is to encourage people to vote. Share specific examples.
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Get them involved. Have them go out and canvass. Have them tag along with you as you go house to house dropping off pamphlets and speaking to registered voters about the virtues of your candidate or proposal. This is a great way to get them interested in the process, without necessarily shoving a specific candidate or issue down their throat. Plus, they'll hear from others who are passionate about the process as you canvass. Don't pressure too much, though, otherwise you may have the opposite impact by actually turning people off from the process.
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Give them easy-to-read material on the issues and candidates. There are breakdowns available, allowing people to explore each candidate's take on the issues side by side. By providing easy-to-read information, the whole process of making that crucial decision will seem less overwhelming.
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Motivate them by reinforcing that their money, children's future, health care, jobs and quality of water or surroundings are all at stake. Sometimes the true nature of what our leaders actually do is lost in a lot of attacks on a person's character and convoluted speeches. Reinforce that our leaders decide how to invest our money, and how to spread the tax burden. On top of that it's our leaders that decide how much access we'll have to health care, social security and how safe our jobs, pensions and water and air will be.
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