Whether you're a seasoned organizer or stepping into the realm of civic participation for the first time, now is the moment for your campaign, movement, or nonprofit to spearhead efforts in getting out the vote. Explore these four imperative steps to driving your supporters to the polls:
Step 1: Prompt supporters to check their voter registration status
Organizations can play a vital role in equipping their supporters to exercise their right to vote by providing invaluable support along the way. Where is the best place to start? By knowing their voter registration status. For supporters who are already registered, checking their registration will give them peace of mind that they’re eligible to cast a ballot on Election Day. For supporters that aren’t registered, it simply serves as a crucial reminder to complete the registration process.
You can use the ActionButton Check Registration button to prompt your supporters to validate if they’re registered to vote. Supporters enter their name, address, and date of birth and instantly receive their registration status, allowing organizations to track engagement and provide timely follow-ups as the election draws near.
Step 2: Tailor follow-up steps depending on their registration status
Equipping supporters to take action in elections isn't just about checking a box—it's about understanding and addressing their individual needs, guiding them through each stage of the process. When supporters check their registration status, they're already showing a commitment, but there's still more we can do to support them. Think about it: for those not yet registered, a gentle nudge towards registration could be the push they need to become active participants in democracy. And for registered supporters, guiding them to explore your organization's initiatives can deepen their engagement and commitment to your mission.
It's about meeting supporters where they are and providing them with the resources they need to make a difference. The Check Registration feature is designed with dynamic follow-ups in mind. Depending on a supporter’s registration status, they’ll see different prompts. This is a powerful, yet simple, way to guide your supporters to make progress down a ladder of engagement.
Step 3: Strengthen commitment through your website
Now that you’ve successfully engaged your community in your campaign, you don’t want them to get primed to vote just anywhere; you want them to get primed to vote on your website. By channeling supporters towards your digital hub, you not only reinforce your mission but also provide a centralized place for their ongoing engagement.
With the Check Registration button you can prompt supporters to be sent back to your website to take further action. To make this seamless we have created a depository of voting forms that you can embed into your NationBuilder website including:
- Register to vote
- Request a mail-in ballot
- Find their polling location
- See upcoming elections
- Sign up for election reminders
- Pledge to register to vote
- See what’s on their ballot
Step 4: Keep up and follow up with your engaged supporters
Voting requires preparation. You have to make sure you're registered, figure out who you’re going to vote for, then make a plan to cast your ballot. With the potential for a shift in government, there's an opportunity to capture public attention. It’s more important than ever to segment your supporters so you can send them outreach that resonates with their interests in your organization.
To maximize voter turnout, proactively engage supporters with reminder emails and text messages leading up to Election Day. While broad communications to your entire audience are beneficial, research consistently demonstrates that targeted communications see better results. In fact, NationBuilder customers have experienced a remarkable 14x increase in email open rates through advanced targeting and segmentation techniques. With the Check Registration button, you’ll know which specific supporters checked their registration status and can send them personalized messages, that then motivates and equips them to cast their ballots come Election Day. This targeted approach is key to driving voter turnout and maximizing the impact of your organization.
Voting isn't just a civic duty; it's a powerful tool for effecting change and championing causes that resonate with your mission. Are you ready to guide your supporters to the polls? Whether it's through creating your own Check Registration button or joining the NationBuilder team at a live demo, there are countless ways to get started today.