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Organize People to Take Action

Organizing Strategies for Environmental Activists

Here are some ideas for how to “GET OUT THE VOTE” when important environmental issues are being addressed at the polls.  These are tried and true strategies that are regularly employed by politicians hoping to influence the outcome of an election.  Why not make them work for you?

Vote Counting: Calculate how many votes will be needed for a successful outcome, then work to be sure you meet that target through the following activities.

Voter Identification: Identify the people who are with you and make sure they get to the polls.   Start with personal contacts to everyone who has signed a petition, attended a meeting, made a donation, volunteered or otherwise indicated an interest.  Ask each of them who else they know that is with you, and either contact them directly or ask the person giving the referral to contact them. You can also:

• Arrange for rides, if that is an obstacle;
• Arrange for baby-sitters;
• Arrange for whatever it takes to make sure people can physically get to the voting location.

Vote pulling: Identify people who’s minds you may be able to change in your direction and put energy into “working” them  (personal contacts by people they know and respect—preferably in person, or by phone as a last resort).

Absentee Ballots: Distribute to and collect absentee ballots from people who will be away or unable to get to the polls.

Media Presence: Get information on your issue and position out to the media on a regular and sustained basis, including whom to call for more information or to get involved.  Some basic media strategies include:

• editorials, sparked by an editorial board meeting to explain your views;
• letters to the editor;
• paid advertisements;
• press releases;
• feature stories;
• television and radio public service announcements urging people to get out and vote.

Direct Mail: Send Direct mail pieces especially to those you know are with you, but preferably to every one in town.

Display boards: Post display boards in areas in town where people congregate announcing meetings and urging people to vote (e.g. library, town hall, fire house, deli’s, etc…).

Lawn Signs and Bumper Stickers: If your budget permits, invest in simple, bright and easily readable lawn signs. Use your network to distribute or sell bumper stickers to help recoup your investment and/or raise funds.

Personal Contact with Potential Voters: Stand outside areas where lots of adults pass through (e.g. at schools where parents pick up kids, at the dump, wherever people go in town on a regular basis) and talk to people about the project, any upcoming meetings where they can learn about the issue, and urge them to vote.  Ideally, give them a hand-out with all the relevant information they can take home with them.