A Day-By-Day Celebration Guide 

Focus: Register to Vote 

• Why it matters: If you’re not registered, you can’t vote! In all but one state (North Dakota) voter registration is a pre-requisite to casting a ballot. Each year, millions of would-be voters can’t vote because they missed a deadline.
• Put it in practice:
  • Encourage voters to check their registration status ASAP, even if they are pretty sure they’re already registered. It takes just a minute.
  • Inform voters about Same-Day Registration options, which are available in about half the states, but only for voting in-person.

Focus: Get to Know Your Ballot 

• Why it matters: Many voters feel intimidated about making informed choices, especially for local offices and ballot measures. Going through the ballot ahead of time increases confidence and reduces “ballot roll-off,” where voters complete only the top of the ticket.
• Put it in practice:
  • Encourage voters to view nonpartisan guides from groups like BallotReady, Ballotpedia, League of Women Voters, and local news sources.
  • Invite voters to research and make decisions ahead of time. They can save their choices on their phone to bring into the voting booth.

Focus: Make a Plan to Vote 

• Why it matters: Busy schedules, last-minute obligations and other unforeseen circumstances can get in the way of going to the polls. Research shows making a concrete plan increases follow-through because voters think through logistics like schedules and transportation.
• Put it in practice:
  • Encourage voters to make a plan to vote — first selecting a voting method (in-person early, on Election Day, or by mail), and then planning specifically where and when to cast their ballot.
  • Once the plan is made, keep it top of mind with calendar events, reminders sent before the plan, and group accountability.

Focus: Understand The Process 

• Why it matters: Understanding and participating in the “behind the scenes” increases confidence and reduces the spread of mis/disinformation about elections. Pollworkers ensure that elections can run safely and efficiently.
• Put it in practice:
  • Encourage your community to volunteer with organizations like Election Protection or Power The Polls, or to get in touch with your local election office about opportunities to staff polling places.
  • Share nonpartisan educational resources about institutions like how the Electoral College works and how mail-in ballots get counted.

Focus: Share With Friends & Family 

• Why it matters: Research shows that “relational” conversations are significantly more effective than cold outreach. We’re more likely to listen to and trust our friends than strangers. Familiar voices break through the noise.
• Put it in practice:
  • Encourage your community to think through a few friends who may not have voted recently and share a simple reminder about upcoming deadlines and options in their state.
  • Create structures for voting teams, crews and squads where super-voters in your community are recruiting their personal networks to pledge to vote and then checking in on them until their ballot is cast.

Shared with permission by MOTIVOTE