How to Increase Voter Turnout: Tips for Mobilizing Your Community

Voter turnout is vital for a healthy democracy. Yet achieving high voter turnout remains challenging, especially in local and midterm elections. 

In the 2024 presidential election, voter turnout reached 63.7% of eligible voters, a slight decline from the 66.6% of voters who showed up at the polls in 2020. By comparison, turnout in local elections is often dramatically lower, sometimes as low as 10%. These numbers underscore the need for candidates and community leaders to prioritize efforts to increase voter turnout.

Let’s explore barriers to voting and discuss practical ways to increase voter turnout. We’ll also cover some actionable strategies political candidates can use to mobilize their communities.

Why Voter Turnout Matters

Voter turnout measures the percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election. High turnout indicates strong civic engagement and public trust in the electoral process. Low voter turnout can signal apathy, disenfranchisement, or systemic barriers. 

For political candidates, understanding voter turnout dynamics is crucial for crafting campaigns that inspire participation and win elections.

Voter turnout is particularly critical in battleground states or districts where a narrow margin often decides elections. In 2024, several key races were determined by fewer than 1,000 votes, emphasizing the power of mobilizing even small groups of voters.

Common Barriers to Voting

In addition to voter apathy and disillusionment with the political process, there are legal and logistical barriers to voting that help keep the status quo in place. Increasing voter turnout begins with addressing the common obstacles that prevent people from making it to the polls. 

These obstacles include:

1. Registration Hurdles: Many states require voters to register weeks in advance, deterring participation in elections. Complicated processes for updating voter registration can discourage younger voters, especially students.

2. Limited Polling Access: Insufficient polling stations, long lines, and restrictive hours make voting challenging, especially for working individuals and those in rural areas without easy access to transportation.

3. Voter Suppression: Practices such as strict voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and voter roll purges disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including communities of color and low-income voters.

4. Lack of Awareness: Many citizens are unaware of election dates, polling locations, or voting requirements. For example, misinformation about deadlines for mail-in ballots has been shown to reduce voter turnout.

5. Perceived Irrelevance: Some voters feel their vote doesn’t matter, particularly in heavily gerrymandered districts or states with dominant political majorities. This could be partially to blame for the fact that approximately 89 million eligible voters chose not to participate in the 2024 general election. 

These barriers are often compounded for individuals who belong to multiple underserved groups, such as young voters of color or rural seniors.

7 Practical Ways to Increase Voter Turnout

Candidates and campaigns can adopt numerous strategies to mobilize voters and ensure a strong voter turnout. Here are seven practical ways to increase voter turnout in your community:

#1: Simplify Voter Registration

Make voter registration more accessible by:

• Promoting online tools like vote.org to check and update voter registration.

• Hosting voter registration drives at community events, schools, and workplaces.

• Advocating for same-day voter registration laws where possible. Same-day registration has consistently increased turnout in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin.

For younger voters, integrating voter registration into high school and college orientations can also build lifelong voting habits.

#2: Promote Early and Mail-In Voting

Encourage voters to take advantage of early voting and mail-in ballot options. Share deadlines and detailed instructions for requesting and submitting mail-in ballots. Early voting provides flexibility, making it easier for people to participate.

Highlight the convenience of drop-off ballot locations and clarify common misconceptions, such as the belief that mail-in voting is less secure. Providing credible resources about mail-in ballot security can alleviate concerns and increase voter turnout.

#3: Build Community Engagement

Between voter apathy, a lack of knowledge, or just a simple lack of time for the average voter to remain in the loop about issues, civic engagement in the United States has declined. Engaging directly with voters builds trust and excitement. 

Consider hosting events like:

• Town halls to discuss pressing local issues.

• Volunteer-led canvassing events to meet voters face-to-face.

• Informational sessions on the importance of elections and how to participate.

Community-specific outreach is essential. For example, bilingual volunteers and translated materials can significantly improve voter engagement in predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.

#4: Use Social Media, Email, and Texting

Digital outreach is a powerful tool to connect with voters. You can use:

• Social media platforms to share election updates, answer FAQs, and remind voters of registration deadlines.

• Email newsletters to provide personalized reminders and resources related to elections.

• Text message campaigns to reach voters with timely information about voting.

Using geotargeting technology, campaigns can send location-specific reminders about polling places or election day events. Integrating QR codes into mailers or posters can also guide voters directly to registration or polling information.

#5: Educate Voters About Elections

Informed voters are more likely to participate in elections.

Candidates can improve voter turnout by creating and distributing clear, accessible educational materials on:

• The voting process, including how to register and find polling locations.

• The issues at stake in the election and how they affect the community.

• Your campaign platform and why their vote matters.

Storytelling can also be a powerful motivator. Sharing testimonials from individuals whose votes have made a tangible difference can inspire others to act.

#6: Offer Support Services for Voters

Organizations and non-profits can eliminate logistical barriers by providing:

• Free transportation to polling stations through partnerships with local organizations or ride-sharing services.

• Childcare options on election day.

• Translations or accessibility services for non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities.

Setting up mobile polling stations in underserved communities has boosted voter participation in some areas.

#7: Use Voting Incentives Effectively

While direct financial incentives for voting are not allowed, other creative incentives can help increase voter turnout. 

Examples of voting incentives include:

• Hosting community events like free concerts or food trucks near polling locations.

• Offering tokens of appreciation, such as stickers or local discounts, to participating voters.

• Encouraging businesses to offer discounts or perks to customers who show proof of voting, such as an "I Voted" sticker.

The Importance of Local Elections

Local elections often directly impact voters’ daily lives, with policies that range from determining school budgets to shaping public safety policies. Despite this, voter turnout is consistently lower in local elections. 

Are you a candidate running for local office? Here’s how to increase voter turnout in local elections:

• Emphasize the tangible outcomes of local elections in your campaign messaging.

• Partner with community leaders to amplify the importance of voting locally.

• Share information and resources to educate voters on why their participation in elections matters.

A few dozen or hundred votes can often decide local elections, giving every voter a significant voice!

Conclusion

Increasing voter turnout is both a civic responsibility and a strategic priority for political candidates. By addressing barriers to voting, educating the electorate, and fostering voter engagement, candidates can inspire more citizens to exercise their right to vote. Whether through simplifying voter registration, leveraging technology, or emphasizing the impact of local elections, every effort counts.

For candidates looking to make an impact, the journey begins with mobilizing voters — one conversation, one event, and one election at a time. A more engaged electorate strengthens democracy and ensures that all voices are heard. 

By prioritizing voter turnout in your community, you can boost your campaign and contribute to a healthier, more representative democracy.