Today is election day! Voting is an important way to have a say in the decisions that affect your life, but sometimes it can be hard to get motivated to vote. If you have friends who are on the fence about voting, here are 6 ways you can encourage your friends to vote:
1. Talk about the issues that matter to you both
Chances are, there are some issues that you and your friend care about deeply. Talk about why those issues are important to you and how they will be affected by the election. When your friend sees how their vote could make a difference on the issues they care about, they may be more likely to head to the polls.
2. Remind them of how lucky we are to live in a democracy…
In many parts of the world, people don’t have the same freedoms that we do in America. One of those freedoms is the right to vote for our leaders. So if your friend is feeling like their vote doesn’t matter, remind them of how lucky we are to live in a country where our voices can be heard.
3. …But also remind them of how much work it took to get here
While we are fortunate to live in a democracy, it’s important to remember that this wasn’t always the case. For centuries, women and people of color were denied the right to vote. It was only through years of struggle and sacrifice that we won the right to choose our leaders. So when your friend is thinking about skipping out on voting, remind them of how hard people have fought for this right—and how important it is to use it.
4. Help them research the candidates
If your friend is having trouble deciding who to vote for, offer to help them research the candidates. There are plenty of online resources available that can help you learn more about where each candidate stands on the issues. Once you’ve both done your research, you can discuss which candidate aligns best with your shared values—and why it’s important to support them at the polls.
5. Offer to go with them to vote
Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of moral support! If your friend is worried about voting alone or doesn’t know where their polling place is, offer to go with them on election day. You can even make a fun event out of it by bringing snacks and taking selfies at the polls!
6. Make a plan for election day together
If you really want to make sure your friend votes, then make a plan with them for election day so they can’t make any excuses! Between work, school, and other obligations, life can get pretty busy—but if you both clear your schedules for election day and commit to going together, then nothing will stand in your way of making your voices heard.
Encouraging your friends to vote is vital in ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard during an election—so use these tips next time you need some inspiration! And don’t forget: if you’re voting in the LA Mayoral race today, check out our write-ups on candidates Karen Bass and Rick Caruso.