Write Letters to Voters in Key States
The outcome of the 2020 election will determine the direction of our country for decades. It will impact every issue that touches our lives — from pandemic response and climate change to our ability to ensure that every American has a voice in our democracy — which is why we need every eligible voter in America to cast a ballot in November.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Vote Forward to mobilize potential voters in a way that’s safe for our community and the folks we are trying to reach: personalized letters. Join our campaign now:
How Does It Work?
As a letter-writer, you will be responsible for “adopting” voters and writing a personalized note to them explaining why you vote and encouraging them to vote along with you. Then, you’ll send your letters right before the election so your message makes the biggest impact possible.
Writing letters is simple and straightforward. You will need:
- Access to a computer
- Access to a printer
- A blue ink pen (to make your handwritten message stand out)
- Envelopes
- Stamps
To get started, you need to make an account through https://VoteFwd.org/StandUpAmerica. Within 24-48 hours, you’ll be approved by an administrator.
Once approved, you can adopt a batch of voters (as few as 5 and as many as 20 at a time). By adopting them, you’re committing to write to them, and they will not be assigned to anyone else. You will then download a PDF file that has your letter templates and the information you will need for mailing your letter and write a personalized note to your letter recipients, urging them to vote on November 3, 2020. Next, update your Vote Forward account indicating that you’ve prepared the letters.
The final step is to set a reminder on your calendar to send the letters 7 days before Election Day, on October 27. Research shows the letters are most effective when sent right before Election Day in late October.
For more in-depth instructions, please click here.
Click here to create your account and get started.
Who Receives the Letters?
The voters that you are assigned to write letters to fall into two categories: Eligible voters who have been identified as unlikely to vote, or people who belong to groups such as younger people or racial minorities who have historically been under-represented in the electorate. The current COVID-19 pandemic underscores just how important it is that we see high turnout this election. Eligible voters should exercise the right to vote for candidates who they believe will protect their health and safety. Turnout among unlikely voters is also crucial in order to make sure our government reflects the full picture of the American electorate.
Why Letters?
Studies have shown that writing letters to voters increases their likelihood of voting. A voter is more likely to turn out to vote if they receive a personalized message from another voter, and according to the Analyst Institute, letters are 3-4 times more effective at turning out voters than handwritten postcards.
This has proven true in recent, highly consequential elections. Rigorous statistical analysis determined that turnout among letter recipients was 3.9 percentage points higher than the control group during the 2017 special election for U.S. Senate in Alabama, where U.S. Senator Doug Jones won a narrow victory over Republican candidate Roy Moore.
This has enormous implications for elections this year. Remember, in 2016, six states were won by margins of less than 2 percent. We may see razor-thin margins again this November, which means this get out the vote tactic could play a decisive role in the outcome of the race.
Every single voter deserves to have a say in one of the most important elections of our lifetime. Sign up today to send letters to unlikely voters: