Get Out the Vote! Action Steps

Getting to the Polls

On voting day, many people, especially some senior citizens and people with disabilities, have trouble getting to the polls. To help these people, consider providing Election Day rides.

Put up signs throughout your council’s community (stores, churches, meeting halls, senior centers) offering a ride to the polls and providing two or three phone numbers or e-mail addresses to contact to arrange a time. Consider placing an ad in local and parochial newspapers, and/or in your parish bulletin advertising the service. Check any convalescent homes, retirement centers, etc., in the neighborhood. If you have already conducted a voter registration drive, contact the people you helped to be sure that they have transportation of the polls. Parish and service organizations may be helpful in indentifying people needing transportation.

Organize volunteers from your council who are willing to act as drivers. Make sure that these volunteers are scheduled to cover as much of the day as possible. Try to arrange schedules so drives can pick up as many participants as they can comfortably accommodate during each trip. At the polls the drive should drop his passengers and make specific arrangements on where he will meet them to return to them to their homes. Drives should also periodically contact a central council “dispatch” location to check on cancellations and late requests for rides.

Voter Education

Hosting a seminar for community members on how to vote is a great way to make people more comfortable with voting procedures and to encourage them to participate.

Work with your state/provincial and local officials on getting sample ballots and educating the public on using the voting machines. Display sample ballots and instructions on how to vote in the council’s meeting place, the parish hall bulletin board, and any other spots accessible to the public.

Also, produce and distribute flyers that include the date of the elections, strictly factual information on what officers and propositions the election is covering, qualifications for voters, and where and how to register to vote. Distribute these flyers (with permission) at the parish, soup kitchens, libraries, senior centers, community centers, high schools, and other appropriate locations.

Learn About the Candidates

Voters need to know the candidates and the issues. Local councils and assemblies can sponsor a “Know Your Candidate” discussion at a convenient community location (but not in council homes due to the Order’s policy of not allowing pro-abortion politicians to speak there). Here is how to do it:

• Invite candidates to attend and address the group.
• Work with cable access stations to televise the event.
• Ask newspapers and television and radio stations to cover the discussion. 

  One vote per precinct passed women's suffrage in 1911.

• Prepare a list of issues on which candidates can speak.
• Appoint a moderator to present the records and platforms of the candidates and chair discussions. 

Remember, an assembly or council must never endorse a political candidate or party. But they can have an impact on society by making sure voters know the candidates and the issues.  

Take a Knight to Vote

One simple way to help get people out to vote is to ask a fellow Knight to come with you when you go to cast your ballot. If he is not registered to vote encourage him to do so immediately. Especially look to encourage first-time voters, elderly members, and Knights with busy schedules who might not otherwise vote. On the day of the election offer to pick up you voting companion and take him to the polls. Set a specific time to go and encourage him to bring along other voters.

Watch the Kids While Parents Vote

Arrange for a baby-sitting service on the day of the election to allow members to leave their children while they go and vote.

Keep toys and games handy for the event. Consider taking youngsters to a nearby playground area. Provide snacks for the kids (be sure to check with parents about any food allergies first) – bringing milk/juice and a snacks could be a parent’s fee for the baby-sitting service. Older children may want to assist as a way to help gain some experience for the day they start to earn pocket money as babysitters.

Sample Public Service Announcements

Deliver copies of the text of these sample radio public service announcements to the public relations director (or other appropriate individual) at your local radio station, encouraging the station to consider using these messages as often as possible prior to the next election. Type these public service announcements on council letterhead, or include them as text or an attachment in an e-mail,  and be sure to include contact information for your council.

Also, consider distributing these messages to your members via your council’s e-mail list. In addition, ask other groups in your community (such as your parish, local PTAs, parochial schools, etc.) to distribute these messages via their e-mail lists.

All governments at all levels should be protectors of our freedoms. They can be and will be just that if thoughtful citizens like you exercise the right to vote. Remember, government only works when everyone participates. This message brought to you by the Knights of Columbus.

If someone told you that you could vote only once every four years, you would likely be infuriated. Your right to vote in every election at every level of government is a precious privilege. Don’t infringe on your own liberty. Get to the polls and vote. Remember, government only works when everyone participates. This message is brought to you by the Knights of Columbus.

In 1911, one vote per precinct passed women's suffrage in California … John F. Kennedy’s margin of victory over Richard Nixon in 1960 was less than one vote per precinct … Every vote counts! Remember, government only works when everyone participates. This message brought to you by the Knights of Columbus.