Part II: Voter Registration
Logistics and Recommended Best Practices
Logistics
Review certain logistics before holding a voter registration event. Examples include:
Will you have WiFi? For online voter registration on a tablet or mobile phone, WiFi or cellular data will be required.
Where will you have your event? High traffic areas are most ideal. In schools, this is likely at a table in the hallway, lunchroom or in classrooms.
What time will you host your event?
Pack a Registration Kit
Blank voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications
Roll of “I Will Vote” stickers or basket of buttons
Tablecloth and decorations
LWV buttons for volunteers
Roll of painter’s tape or masking tape
Multiple pens (bring backups)
LWV membership forms or educational materials (but do not bring advocacy materials)
At the Event
Set up table 15-30 minutes before students arrive.
Put on LWV button.
Check forms for completeness, legibility, and correctness.
Determine in advance if the school will make copies of the registration forms if you run out OR go online to mnvotes.org and have students fill it out online.
Ask new voters to download the League in Action app to get election reminders from LWVMN (have this QR code on your table).
Give new registrants an “I Will Vote” sticker/button or piece of candy. If you give any small item after a student registers to vote, you are not allowed to refuse anyone an item regardless of whether they registered to vote, under Minnesota law.
Recommended Best Practices
Expectations
It’s normal to only engage with 1-2 unregistered voters per hour in a high-traffic area. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have dozens of people approaching your table. If someone refuses to participate, be kind and thank them for their time. Treat people as you would want to be treated. Smile, stay positive, and speak like a regular person – you can use the scripts provided in this handbook and practice with them to get comfortable. Finally, don’t take anything personally. If someone is rude, move on and the next person may make your day!
Ask Everyone to Register
Be sure to include everyone when speaking to potential registrants. Do not make assumptions based on the outward identity of a person’s eligibility. Don’t be afraid to have a respectful and engaging conversation.
Have a Conversation
Registering to vote can be an intimidating process to some, so be sure to have a genuine conversation with potential registrants. Ask questions and listen actively to their answers. Tailor what you say to the individual. Find your own pitch. Connect voting to their daily lives and what they say they care about in your conversation.
Stay on Message
Remember to remain nonpartisan at all times. You are not telling the person who to vote for, which political party to support, or suggesting that they vote for or against particular policy issues. Do not mix advocacy with voter service. You are just providing them with the access to register to vote! Helping people gain that access is a great way to empower future voters and celebrate civic engagement, while building relationships with communities.
Follow up and be Persistent
If a person says they are already registered, follow up with:
“Are you registered at your current address?”
“Have you moved since you last registered?”
“Have you changed your name since you last registered?”
“Are you aware of early voting and no-excuse absentee voting?”