Recommended language to collect vote tripling pledges from voters in safe states who can mobilize their friends in target states.
Generally, we advise campaigns to recruit vote triplers from among their universe of likely voters. A Senate campaign in Georgia, for example, would recruit vote triplers who are, themselves, voters in Georgia.
Another possibility, however, is to recruit triplers who are not themselves voters in a target jurisdiction. This is an appealing strategy if, for example, your organization has extensive and under-utilized subscription lists in safe states, who are likely to know voters in swing states. Our research suggests that most safe-state targets do have friends in swing states: If you seek to recruit vote triplers in safe states to remind friends in swing states to vote, we estimate your pledge rates will be only about 30% lower than with traditional vote tripling tactics.
Or, it may simply be a useful way to break through the noise when voters in your target jurisdiction have been bombarded with voter contact, and you can find an audience likely to know folks in your area. For example, perhaps you have maxed out voter contact for a campaign in Kansas, but could recruit a few voters in Kansas City, MO to remind their friends on the other side of town. Or, perhaps you are a Congressional campaign in a district with large numbers of college students who supported you last time but have since moved away; they could be recruited to remind their friends back on campus.
Script
(1)Initial ask (to IDed supporters)*
Hi {VoterName}, it's {SenderName} with {Candidate} for {PoliticalOffice}. With so much at stake this year, we need your help to get out the vote in {swing states}. (STOP 2 optout) Can we count on you to remind 3 friends in these states to vote in November?
[If Yes: mark response accordingly]
(2a) Message to positive responses
Great! Just because it helps to think it through, what are the first names or nicknames of the 3 friends you'll remind?
[If they share names: record names in the appropriate place ex. your sister, John and Nia
(2b) Message to those who don’t know voters in other states
I understand! Every vote counts. Are there three friends at home you can remind to vote?
[If Yes: mark response accordingly]
(3) Follow up message to positive responses
Thank you! A reminder to vote is especially powerful when it comes from a friend!
[If No: leave blank] Consider addressing hesitations (below) and asking again in a different way.
Best practices
Make sure to ask the voter who they’ll remind. Ask for names or nicknames so they know they don’t have to share identifying names if they don’t feel comfortable. It’s only important for them to know who they’re reminding!
Address hesitations that the voter may have using the list of common hesitations below
Be sure to include a plan to send reminders to pledgers in your sms calendar. You can read more about sending reminders here and our recommended scripts here.
Common hesitations
1. Can’t think of whom to remind
No worries! Can you think of a family member, co-worker, or neighbor who can use a reminder?
2. Can’t think of three friends
No worries. If you can only think of two or one, that’s totally fine! You will still be helping get more people out to vote.
3. Doesn’t want to share names
I totally understand. I'm not trying to collect data. You can share initials or even nicknames, as long as you know who you’ll be reminding!
4. All their friends already vote
That’s awesome! I find that it can be nice to get a reminder from a friend just in case they’re really busy on Election Day or have something unexpected come up.
* Vote Rev’s test and recommendation of including unsubscribe language in text messages
Still have questions? Email hi@voterev.org
