Voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives are popular projects for student governments. Here are a few tried and true tactics for effectively getting out the student vote. The most effective way to increase voter turnout is by contacting students individually to remind them to vote. There are lots of ways to do this. “Pledge to Vote.” In the weeks prior to the election, get students to sign a pledge that they will vote. You can collect these pledges in the same ways that you would collect petition signatures, including:
  1. Tabling events out on campus.
  2. Canvassing student apartments or dorms.
  3. Asking professors if you can make announcements in classes, or making announcements in student organization meetings.
“Text Out the Vote.” Get students to take 30 seconds to text 10 of their friends to remind them to vote. This is a great way to reach lots people quickly. You can use the same tactics to do it: tabling, canvassing, announcements, etc. (Tip: You can do this at the same time that you’re gathering Pledges to Vote.) Phonebanking. Now that you’ve collected lots of Pledges to Vote, you should call them all on the night before Election Day to remind them to vote. The more times you remind someone to vote, the more likely they are to actually turn out, so don’t be shy about contacting them.