Changes in voting

Don’t forget to check relevant contingency plans that may already be in place!

• Reassure voters that provisional voting is normal, and if eligible, their vote will be counted.
• Encourage voters to stay and complete the process by acknowledging issues without creating panic.
• Give voters clear next steps and share changes they may not be aware of. Communications should help reduce confusion, fear, and embarrassment. Reassure them that they still have options.
• Stick with the facts and timestamp your updates so that, as the situation develops, they don’t become misleading information later. Never repeat false headlines/claims.
• Remind voters to check trusted and official resources so they can find out if voting processes have changed as situations develop. Reinforce that they should rely on verified information.

Use a tone that is:

• Reassuring: Use language that is supportive and understanding.
• Trustworthy: Be transparent, calm, and stick with the facts.
• Actionable: Share the different ways to vote and stay informed.

• Work with the media, candidates, and other voter engagement organizations to ensure voters understand changes ahead of the election.
• Help voters avoid needing a provisional ballot by reminding them to check their current polling location, what voter ID to bring, and how to confirm their voter registration.
• Campaigns to show what voting options are available so that voters can do their own research and are aware of alternatives. Encourage early voting to give voters time to address issues as they arise.
• Collections of trusted sources for sharing that voters can turn to as situations develop and changes occur.

• Center for Civic Design
  • You see a provisional ballot, voters see their ballot
  • Provisional voting toolkit
  • ID & Go Toolkit: Communicating with voters in states with special mail ballot drop off options
• The Elections Group
  • Provisional voting
  • Election Infrastructure Incident Response Communications Guide (CISA & EAC)
• Federal Voting Assistance Program
  • UOCAVA Outreach Materials
• Ready for Tuesday
  • CORE Playbook
  • Ready for Resilience self-assessment
  • VoterCast
• U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence
  • Voting Wait Time Tracker

Non-social media messaging ideas

• Work with local reporters to share information about changes in voting.
• Provide poll workers with messaging to communicate about provisional voting.
• Work with local elected officials and government agencies to provide signage and messaging related to new changes in voting or new requirements.