Reduce rejected mail-in ballots
As you encourage your constituents to vote early this year, it’s especially important to notify them of deadlines and procedures to keep them informed and safe.
The #1 reason why absentee/mail-in ballots are rejected is because of voters missing deadlines.
Fast and timely direct communication of key election information to voters – such as deadlines for requesting and submitting vote-by-mail ballots, as well as alternative options such as official dropboxes – is going to be critical for a smooth election.
Our experience working with government agencies at the State, and local levels have taught us that communications to constituents should be:
- Direct – direct communications from election officials can help break through social media misinformation and media noise. Text messaging is an ideal way to reach people directly, without intermediaries.
- Fast – with early voting periods rapidly approaching, getting information to voters quickly will help insure votes aren’t excluded due to late arrival, and that any last-minute changes to deadlines or drop-off points are communicated. Our automated software sends as many as 3.5M messages per hour with a single click allowing for rapid alerts.
- Accessible – many voting populations are difficult to reach via websites or mailers due to lack of internet connectivity, language challenges, housing insecurity and evictions, etc. Text messages are the most-preferred follow-up method of hard-to-reach populations and are easy to deploy in multiple languages.
Tips for Text Messaging for Early Voting
Text Tip 1: Schedule your texts
We recommend devising a timeline that incorporates key dates. For example, schedule a mass text around the deadline for requesting an absentee/mail-in ballot. Some voters will respond and take action. We also recommend scheduling a reminder text a day or two before the deadline. And because 90 percent of text messages are read within 3 minutes of delivery, you can expect a spike in ballots the closer you get to a deadline.
Text Tip 2: Allow Responses
The ElectionOutreach solution automatically listens for a yes or no response, or their variations. If a voter responds that they answer “Have you already submitted your ballot”, “Yes!” this voter will no longer be included in future messages targeting voters who haven’t yet responded.
Text Tip 3: Plan for Emergency Communications
Have a plan for emergency, last minute communications. In addition to early voting, think about how you will communicate with your poll workers and voters about any safety precautions. Have your phone number lists validated, imported onto your texting platform and ready to go. Have template messages for various scenarios ready.