Increasing local voter turnout strategies
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Official Communications and Iterative Mailings to Boost Local Voter Turnout
Research shows that sending repeated, official communications—such as postcards or emails—from local government officials can effectively increase voter turnout in local elections. In large-scale experiments with Philadelphia voters, receiving four postcards throughout the election cycle increased turnout by 1.5 percentage points, while two postcards before the general election increased turnout by 0.8 percentage points. These mailings, especially when they include personalized feedback like thanking voters or acknowledging missed participation, are affordable, scalable, and do not exacerbate racial inequalities in turnout rates. Similarly, emails sent from official sources, such as a county registrar, have been found to consistently and cost-effectively increase turnout, whereas identical messages from non-official sources do not have the same effect 126.
Digital and Text Message Reminders as Voter Mobilization Tools
Text message campaigns from government sources have also proven effective. In a randomized campaign in Norway, a simple text message encouraging voting increased turnout by 1 to 2.2 percentage points. These digital reminders are low-cost and can be deployed at scale to reach large populations quickly .
Peer-to-Peer and Relational Organizing Strategies
Peer-to-peer outreach and relational organizing—where individuals encourage friends, family, or community members to vote—have shown significant positive effects on turnout, especially among infrequent or new voters. These strategies leverage social pressure and personal connections, making voting a socially motivated act. When combined with technology and strong relationships with local election administrators, relational organizing can be scaled to increase turnout more broadly 34.
Agency-Based and Nonprofit Voter Engagement
Nonprofit organizations that provide voter registration assistance and personal voting reminders at service delivery sites can significantly increase turnout among low-income and marginalized populations. Each voting-related contact from a service agency increases the likelihood of turnout by over 11 percentage points, with the most effective contacts being direct registration help and personal reminders .
Institutional and Structural Reforms: Election Timing and Accessibility
Changing the timing of local elections to coincide with national or statewide elections is one of the most effective institutional strategies for increasing turnout. Studies consistently find that local elections held concurrently with presidential or statewide elections see turnout rates 27 to 36 percentage points higher than those held separately. Other institutional changes, such as increasing the use of direct democracy, reducing outsourcing of city services, and giving more control to elected officials, also contribute to higher turnout 78.
Expanding Voting Access and Reducing Barriers
Internationally, expanding voting options—such as postal voting, remote electronic voting, multi-day voting, and lowering the voting age—has been shown to increase participation. Reducing restrictive qualifications for voting and building public trust in the electoral process are also important for boosting turnout .
Conclusion
A combination of official, repeated communications, digital reminders, peer-to-peer outreach, agency-based engagement, institutional reforms, and expanded voting access can all contribute to increasing local voter turnout. These strategies are most effective when they are scalable, affordable, and inclusive, ensuring that all segments of the population are reached and encouraged to participate in the democratic process.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
New analysis reveals the impact of organizing strategy on voter turnout
Relational organizing strategies can effectively increase voter turnout, especially when combined with integrated voter engagement technology and strong relationships with local election administrators.
DOI
Municipal Institutions and Voter Turnout in Local Elections
Moving local elections to coincide with national elections significantly increases voter turnout, while less outsourcing, direct democracy, and more control for elected officials also boost turnout.
On the potential of increasing voter turnout in Russia and abroad
New models of voter turnout and reducing restrictive models can increase voter turnout and prevent a decrease in elections, but abolition of voting qualifications for mental problems, foreigners, convicts is not considered a solution.
DOI