Be ‘that person’: 3 ways to get out the vote with your friends and family

You can be a one-person get out the vote crew, simply by checking in with your network of friends and family leading up to Election Day.

There are many ways to help get out the vote during an election season, from volunteering with a campaign to getting involved with groups like NextGen America, which help students organize to register voters and raise election awareness on campus.

You can also be a one-person get out the vote crew, simply by checking in with your network of friends and family leading up to Election Day. We’re not suggesting uncomfortable conversations about politics at a dinner party or family get together. This is all about reminding people to simply participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.

Here are three ideas:

Remind your peeps to register to vote

It’s pretty simple: You can’t participate in an election if you aren’t registered to vote. Ask your friends and family if they’re registered to vote. 

If they are, fantastic. If they’re not, politely implore them to register ASAP. Explain to them how easy the process of registering to vote is, and that they can do it online, by mail, or in person. And make sure they understand that the deadline to register in North Carolina is Oct. 11.

Check in with your elders

This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, along with your elderly neighbors and those friendly faces at the grocery store and your local park. 

Text them, call them, or pay them a visit and make sure they’ve got a plan to vote. Remind them that they don’t even have to leave the house to vote. They can apply for a mail-in ballot. There are voter assistance options, including curbside voting, for folks who need it.

Let them know about early in-person voting. And if they are planning to vote in person on Election Day, make sure they have a way to get to the polls. Offer to drive them if you’re able. 

Make sure your crew is informed about the candidates and issues

Again, we’re not suggesting you bring up reproductive rights at your nephew’s 10th birthday party. 

Just make sure your friends and family know who’s on the ballot and what issues are at stake. Point them toward trusted, nonpartisan resources. 

The NC State Board of Elections has a comprehensive guide to the races up for election in 2024, plus info about the candidates. The nonpartisan nonprofit Democracy NC offers an excellent voter guide too. 

And Ballotpedia is known as the “digital encyclopedia of American politics” for good reason. It’s a thoroughly detailed hub with election news and information on candidates, ballot questions, public policy analysis, and even sample ballots for your district.

Plus, you can follow our election reporting at Cardinal & Pine for the latest.