Political Pro Tips: How to Double the Impact of Your Vote (and Make Sure It Is Counted)
Nearly thirty million votes have already been cast, but in an election that is sure to break countless records there will likely be at least 120 million more voters who make their way to their ballot boxes or mailboxes. I’ve gotten dozens of questions from people all across the country about the “best” way to show up in 2020. Here’s an inside look at how things really work and what you can do to make the most of this powerful moment.
PRO TIP 1 — Voting Early Multiplies the Power of Your Vote
Whether you vote by mail or in person, the earlier you vote the more you are helping the candidates you support. Sophisticated campaigns receive reports and data from the Elections Divisions of the various states and municipalities. While most states will never report how someone voted, they will keep track of who has voted and in most cases what political party they are registered with.
Several times a day this data is uploaded into the campaign software and volunteers know that they no longer need to call or text those voters to ask about rides to the polls or voting locations. In other words, once you vote you are redirecting that volunteer energy towards another person who may need information or assistance. You’re making sure that campaign teams don’t waste their time chasing down a “sure thing” when they could be persuading a new or unlikely voter.
Added Benefit: Your cast vote is added to the scoreboard of successful “Get Out The Vote” efforts, which encourages everyone working hard on turnout including the candidates themselves.
PRO TIP 2 — Voting Now Means Being Listened To Later
“They NEVER show up. There’s no reason to take them seriously. They don’t vote anyway...”
Conversations like these are used as excuses to not take the concerns of certain citizens seriously. This can impact policies, funding, and even the platforms future candidates are willing to take on. It’s up to us to show up with such high numbers that elected officials have no choice but to listen.
Political analysts will soon know who showed up to vote in their own communities. Your race, gender, age, and party affiliation will likely be broken down into a report that they refer to countless times to see which “constituencies” are growing.
Also, if you ever find that you personally need to work with your local leaders their staff will likely do a quick search and see if you voted. While I could argue that this information shouldn’t matter once someone is elected to serve, I promise you that it does.
PRO TIP 3 — There Is No Such Thing As a State That Doesn’t Matter
When I worked in Alabama on the U.S. Senate Special Election in 2018, half of the battle was convincing people in charge of funding that a Democrat could win at all in a “Deep South” state. Having a good candidate who resonates with their own voters is important, but if there is no infrastructure in place to get them elected then we cannot truly change things.
Donors, political parties, advocacy organizations, and community influencers make crucial decisions about where money should be spent and where ads should be run. These decisions are made daily during election season and, when we see a spike in turnout in surprising places, it could make a drastic difference in what resources are sent where.
If you live in an area that you feel is already “safely” going to go your way for the Presidential race, don’t forget that there may be more than one close race down the ballot that needs your support.
Added Benefit: The popular vote of the entire country will be watched by the world right now. Let’s send a strong message of where we the people actually stand.
PRO TIP 4 — Our Kids Are Watching
Imagine being a teenager right now. Your climate is in crisis, your social media is a consistent horror show, your life has been completely upended during the pandemic, and you have to sit out the most influential election in a generation.
Our teens are going to know if their relatives voted and will likely ask who they voted for. Younger kids will grow up reading and hearing about this time much like we have all been surrounded by reminders of the Vietnam War and 9/11 and they will turn to you and ask where you were in this moment.
You have likely already made up your mind to vote, but as you deal with lines, weather, masking up, taking off of work, transportation, and Lord knows what else: try to gather a bit more strength and resolve from some of the people we are fighting for.
And finally…
PRO TIP 5 — My Preferred Plan for Voting
The question I have gotten the most often is how I cast my ballot. There is no wrong way as long as you are safe and your vote is counted, but finding a way to accomplish this is not exactly simple right now.
VOTING LAWS VARY BY STATE so the first thing you should do is find out what the rules are for your particular location. There are so many shady things happening right now and many of the Secretary of Elections websites are not exactly easy to navigate. When I need answers that matter I go right to the Woman herself: Michelle Obama.
When We All Vote — a non-profit launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw — provides free and updated information that is easy to understand. Go there, “Make a Plan” to vote and see what your options are. Remember: the earlier you vote the better.
Here’s my personal voting plan for those who have asked: I’m in Florida so mailing a ballot or going in person on an early voting day is an option. I chose to request my ballot and then hand it in at the early voting site near my house. It took less than five minutes and the poll workers checked to make sure they could read my signature and that the envelope was sealed properly.
IT IS TAKING UP TO TWO WEEKS TO DELIVER MAIL in much of the country right now. If you haven’t mailed in your ballot by now, my advice is to get in the car and drive it over. The time of the drop-off will save you days of anxious waiting.
One final bit of crucial intel: Many states who offer the ability to vote by mail also have the ability to track your ballot online (usually at your County Supervisor of Election website) and make sure that it was counted. Make use of this tool if you can just to ensure there isn’t any last minute funny business.
It’s Showtime!
Remember to leave it all on the stage. Volunteer in whatever capacity you feel comfortable (texting, calling, nagging your friends) and practice self care. Let’s work together these next two weeks to make sure we can build a Democracy we are proud of again.
Shawna Vercher is a political media strategist and Executive Producer for the social justice production company Reine Media. None of that will matter unless we all do what is necessary to wake us up from this nightmare. For more information about Shawna and what she is working on, visit www.ShawnaVercher.com or find her on Twitter @ShawnaVercher to share the awesome ways you are making a difference.
