Democracy is on the ballot in November.

This list of actions will help you:

• Support candidates who support democracy–from your town council and district court judge elections to the highest levels of Congress.
• Ensure that every American from every background can vote easily, freely, and be counted accurately.
• Encourage marginalized communities and apathetic voters to participate in elections.

 

Action 1: Write postcards to get out the vote  [Sources: MomsRising, The Civics Center]

Democracy is on the ballot this fall. Since close elections can be won or lost by a few votes, writing a note to a registered voter could be the difference! AoCC recommends these non-partisan organizations:

• Moms Rising
• The Civics Center (younger voters)

 

Action 2: Preview your local ballot, candidates, and ballot measures.

Don’t know one judge’s stance from another? Visit vote411.org and ballotpedia.org to find nonpartisan information about who and what is on your ballot this November.

 

Action 3: Request your absentee/vote-by-mail ballot early. [Source: Vote.org]

Voting by mail remains the safest way to cast your ballot. Take steps to receive a mail ballot now so you will be ready to vote in November.

Check: Vote.org for steps to request an absentee/vote-by-mail ballot in your state.

Request: Your absentee ballot today.  

For U.S. voters overseas: In 2020, only about 7.8% of eligible overseas voters cast a ballot, but voting from abroad tells legislators they must represent the interests of U.S. citizens, no matter where they live. Complete your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) today to ensure that you receive your ballot in time to mail it back no later than October 24.

 

Action 4: Empower disabled voters to participate in elections. [Source: AoCC]

Call: Your state, tribal, or territory election official (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m from [TOWN], requesting information about how our district is addressing the barriers faced by disabled voters. May I ask a few questions?

1. Are polling locations accessible to disabled voters?
2. Are poll workers trained to help voters with all types of disability?
3. Is there a ballot-marking device available for disabled voters to use?
4. Are accessible voting machines tested?

If any of the answers are NO: Voting accessibility is a crucial issue because one-quarter of all Americans live with a disability. Can you tell me what [NAME] is doing to resolve this before the November elections?

If all answers are YES: Thank you for your hard work to ensure that every voter can cast a ballot.

 

Action 5: Encourage voter registration through your local high school. [Source: The Civics Center]

Write or call: Your local high school principal or school administrator (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m writing/calling from [TOWN] to share that young people in the U.S. generally have a low rate of election participation. The youth vote could be decisive in the 2022 midterms. That’s why I am asking you to invest even more fully in your students’ futures and voices and host a voter registration drive before the November election. Thank you.

 

Action 6: ​​Prevent, detect, and remediate voting equipment security breaches. [Source: Brennan Center]

Write: Your state, tribal, or territory election official (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m from [TOWN, ZIP], urging you to take measures to prevent, detect, and remediate voting equipment security breaches. The insider threats posed by anti-democracy election deniers participating in elections puts voting equipment security at risk. Please follow the Brennan Center’s recommendations and prevent security threats by:

• Following best practices (e.g., restricting access, use of keycard systems, video surveillance to track access to equipment) for preventing and detecting breaches. 
• Creating a plan for how to respond to breaches promptly and decisively.
• Communicating remedial steps to the public. 

 

Action 7: Encourage election officials to recruit poll workers. [Sources: Center for Civic Design, Common Cause]

Write: Your local or county elections office (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m writing from [ZIP] to ask you to recruit additional poll workers for November’s election. Having too few poll workers discourages voting through long lines and closed polling places. Please take action by reaching out and offering poll work information to:

• Current poll workers, who can recruit friends and family to join them.
• Former county workers with relevant skills.
• Local businesses.
• Local Medical Reserve Corps.
• High school principals, who can pass information on to their students.
• College civics clubs, residence hall associations, work programs, and/or offices of student affairs. 

Thank you.

 

Action 8: Bolster your state’s election security. [Source: Verified Voting]

Call or write: your state election official (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] and am calling/writing to insist [STATE] implement the following six election security recommendations to ensure the safety and accuracy of my vote:

1. Have paper ballots available in case electronic systems fail.
2. If electronic systems fail, make sure voters can fill out paper ballots, and assure the voters their ballots will be counted.
3. Provide paper copies of voter registrations in case electronic records fail.
4. Provide training so that electronic systems function, and can be repaired quickly if they fail.
5. Have poll workers instruct voters to inspect and validate their ballots, especially if they are marked electronically.
6. Conduct testing before and after elections, as well as election audits.

If [STATE] does not already utilize these measures, I urge [NAME] to resolve these vulnerabilities. Thank you.

 

Action 9: Safeguard your vote. [Source: League of Women Voters]

Midterm elections are weeks away and democracy is on the ballot. Because voter purges are a real risk, confirm today that you’re still registered. 

 

Action 10: Until required ID is banned, help your neighbors vote. [Source: Spread the Vote]

21 million Americans are second-class citizens because they have no legal ID. Veterans, foster youth, seniors who’ve stopped driving, and people leaving prison can’t can’t rent an apartment, open a bank account, apply for a job, or see a doctor without ID. H.R. 8821 would create a free national ID for all Americans–administered through the post office (like passports)–to allow all people to participate fully in our communities. AoCC is proud to endorse this legislation.

Donate: To Project ID’s Action Fund

Contact: Your MoCs with Project ID’s scripts.

 

Action 11: Prevent voter suppression and discrimination at the polls. [Source: Common Cause and 866-OUR-VOTE]

Sign up to be a nonpartisan Election Protection volunteer. From your home, you can track online disinformation, or help voters navigate confusing voting rules by staffing voter hotlines, with professional training. Sign up here.

 

Action 12: Be a part of democracy: Help America vote. [Sources: Common Cause and National Congress of American Indians]

Sign up today to work the polls and protect every citizen’s right to vote. Adults and students are needed to oversee your local elections. Requirements, training, and pay rates vary. Sign up with the nonpartisan Power the Polls initiative, or use the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s lookup tool for your community.

Action 13: Offer rides to voters in states that suppress voting. [Source: Rideshare2Vote]

Do you have wheels and want to get voters to the polls this November?

Sign up: at Rideshare2Vote.

Did you take any of these actions?

Please comment below so we can cheer with you for supporting democracy!