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College Voter Engagement Taling Points

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Talking Points



WITH STUDENTS WHO DO NOT VOTE

Doesn’t like the government:

  • Utilize your voting privilege to make a difference.
  • Voting is your way of expressing this
  • It won’t change unless you participate.
  • Learn how you want to change it, and then vote for the candidates and resolutions that best fit your views.
  • See if any notable school alumni would be interested in contributing donations or time supporting the Voter Engagement Drive and raise awareness to your MyIowaVote program.
  • If you don’t vote, others are picking your government for you.

Doesn’t want to make a mistake and vote for the wrong person or don’t think I know enough:

  • "Educate yourself on the issues that are important to you"
  • "Go to candidate and political party websites and learn their stances"
  • "Reach out to campaigns and political parties and ask their views"
  • Campaigns and most political organizations desire to reach out and talk to as many people as they can.

Believe Government Is Not Relevant In Their Lives

  • Government affects how much you pay for every product you buy.
  • Government affects the quality of the neighborhood you live in.
  • Government affects the water you drink and the air that you breathe.
  • Your future employment can be affected by the government.
  • Think of specific reasoning for their school’s focus
    • Business – commerce laws and regulation are decided by government
    • Education - funding and regulations is decided by the government
    • Medicine/Pharmaceutical – Healthcare law is affected by government
  • Only votes in big elections
    • Local elections decide officials that most directly effect your lives
      • Local taxes, local roads, local projects, local education, local businesses including establishments like your school, restaurants, bars, parks, malls, and more.

WITH STUDENTS WHO WONDER WHY THEY SHOULD USE MYIOWAVOTE/ TURBOVOTE

  • MyIowaVote/TurboVote will send you free reminders about important deadlines including registration dates, absentee voting dates, and Election Day
  • MyIowaVote/TurboVote will help you request an absentee ballot
  • MyIowaVote/TurboVote will let you know where to vote on Election Day
  • MyIowaVote/TurboVote will let you know what will be on your local ballot
  • MyIowaVote/TurboVote will let you know your local voting information EVEN if you choose to be registered in another state
  • If they’re not registered to vote
    • TurboVote will help you to register to vote online
    • If you have an Iowa Drivers License or State ID, you can register to vote online here:
    • MyIowaVote/TurboVote is FREE and comes straight to your text or email

WORKING WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION TO PROMOTE YOUR VOTER ENGAGEMENT DRIVE AND MY IOWA VOTE

  • Easy to participate
    • Send out an email promoting the voter registration drive and asking to sign-up for MyIowaVote.
    • Have the IT department link or embed an iFrame of the MyIowaVote sign up on the school’s portals.
    • Have the IT department share a link and information about MyIowaVote on all school property computers.
  • Important to help students become civically engaged and active in their community.
  • The elections will be on a lot of student’s minds, so it is important to encourage their participation.

WORKING WITH PROFESSORS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS

  • You’re helping students become civically engaged and encouraging them to shape the world around them.
  • Easy to participate
    • Email out TurboVote links and promotional information about Voter Engagement Drives
    • Offer Voter Registration forms and TurboVote Sign Ups in class.
    • Pick a week to offer to print out pre-filled registration forms produced by the TurboVote sign up in class for extra credit.
    • Pick a week to have students email their finished Voter Registration PDF’s and print them for them during class for extra credit

WORKING WITH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO DO NOT NORMALLY GET INVOLVED

  • Your organization is involving itself with a very popular topic, the General Election that almost everyone will be talking about.
  • It’s a great way to get the word out about your organization on campus by joining up with an event that will grab attention.
    • Email out TurboVote links and promotional information about Voter Engagement Drives
    • Offer Voter Registration forms and TurboVote Sign Ups in class.
    • Pick a week to offer to print out pre-filled registration forms produced by the TurboVote sign up in class for extra credit.
    • Pick a week to have students email their finished Voter Registration PDF’s and print them for them during class for extra credit
    • Allow other participating organizations to speak about their organizations and why they’re helping at events.
    • Easy to participate
      • Send out an email to your membership promoting the voter registration drive and asking to sign-up for MyIowaVote.
      • Designate member of your organization to help out with the planning committee and help out with outreach
      • Invite a member of the Voter Engagement Planning Committee to speak at your meetings or events.



VOTER ENGAGEMENT DRIVE TOOLKIT


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