October 6, 2022
Diane missed putting an article into today's newsletter. So it gets it's own edition!
Social Justice News
Encouraging Others to Vote

HELLO FRIENDS!
We know we will vote! But how do we encourage others to vote? Research has some answers. The following directives are the most effective in creating a new and permanent voter. We thank the Race Class Narrative Action for sharing this research.

#1. IDENTITY PRECEDES ACTION. People vote when they identify themselves as “voters”. So, it is better to ask them to “be a voter” rather “to please go vote”. Also, never identify them as “nonvoters” or “low-propensity voters”. They need to start thinking of “I’m a voter” as part of their identity.

#2. SOCIAL PROOF. The message here is “people like you are doing it”. An example is “your community of young voters [or seniors, or Cedar Park citizens, or etc.] are turning out in record numbers to vote. You can join them!” People are more likely to vote if it fits with another identity they have.

#3. SOCIAL PRESSURE. This rule is intense, but very effective. Remind potential voters that WHO they vote for is private but WHETHER OR NOT they vote is public. “Your neighbors are voters, and after the election, they can see if you voted”. A little invasive maybe but creates high motivation to vote.

#4. EMPOWERMENT MESSAGES WIN OUT OVER FEAR-BASED APPEALS. It is helpful to use a positive reason to vote. “Your vote is your power. Use it” rather than a fear-based reason, “vote like your life depends on it”. We need to emphasize the internal benefit of voting, and not connect voting to danger.

#5. FOCUS ON PROCESS AND PLANS, NOT ON THE ISSUES AT STAKE. Turns out that even boring ads that bring up the positives of voting, such as “We are making the future together” are more effective than glossy, partisan ads of “X political party is the better political party!” And urge people to share their voting plan. What day they will vote? What time of day will they vote? What will they take with them? How will they get to the polls? People follow through when they have already seen themselves do it in their head.

#6. PERSISTENCE, WITH REPEAT AND FOLLOW-UP APPEALS, IS CRITICAL. Creating a new habit is hard, so it needs lots of reminders and reinforcement. Do follow-ups and repeats, several times, if possible. Research shows that even a single follow-up can double the get-out-the-vote impact.
We can learn from the research how to motivate people to become voters. Let’s use these skills to help people in our community feel and become, a proud and empowered voter!

Wayne Gregory
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