Community organizations that are currently active, such as food banks or mutual aid groups, should include physical copies of voter registration forms in food boxes or care packages. Providing these forms could reduce the hassles associated with registration (e.g., accessing a printer) and create a simple moment of choice for those who are particularly strained by the pandemic. And by offering registration forms through essential touchpoints, organizations are signaling to recipients the fundamental importance of registration and civic participation. In addition, proactive outreach communicates that someone cares if the recipient is registered, potentially cultivating a sense of reciprocity that could motivate the recipient to fill out and return the form. Including a handwritten note with the form could make the request feel even more personal and urgent. 

Election officials can support these efforts by making printed forms in bulk easily and safely available to outreach groups. Where there is a centralized location, such as a food bank, officials should consider delivering registration forms to more seamlessly facilitate/motivate expanded outreach. Download the below registration half-sheet here. 

Add prominent, visible links for voter registration to state government websites (e.g., unemployment services or the DMV). With many in-person public services closed during the pandemic, individuals are missing out on traditional avenues for voter registration. Inviting people to register to vote or update their registration while they access or wait for other services online could be a timely and welcomed prompt. Especially in jurisdictions that offer online voter registration, eligible voters should be encouraged to start the process immediately with a single click.

Prompt people to confirm whether they are registered at the correct address on utility bills and regular official government communications. Ensuring registrations are current will be particularly important during a year when a record number of voters will be sent ballots through the mail. For individuals, however, updating their information will likely not be top-of-mind until closer to the election, if at all. Therefore, creating a clear moment for people to concretely compare their current address with what may be on their voter file could effectively nudge them to update their registration. 

Utilities and government agencies that tend to have reliable addresses can deliver these prompts to residents through existing communications. A salient note on a bill or letter can urge people to actively affirm that they are properly registered at the correct address or point them to the right resources if they are not.

Update all guidance on voter registration FAQ pages to reflect the instability people are experiencing during the pandemic. COVID-19 has created increased housing insecurity and broader uncertainty for many Americans, including students who are unsure if they will be living on campuses in the fall. Official guidance that reflects these now-common situations is crucial to helping individuals complete the voter registration process amidst the uncertainty of the current climate. It’s important that the guidance is updated consistently across all information centers, to avoid confusion.