Host a Dynamic Voter Registration Event!

Washington employers are masters at crafting events to help their employees register to vote. Below, you’ll find some ideas to consider for your voter registration event.

Set Up a Voter Registration Table

Many companies keep it simple by setting up a voter registration table for a few hours or between shifts to encourage employees, and even customers, to register to vote. Others include a table at company picnics or special events. 

On this page, you will find:

• Voter registration materials
• Ideas for setting up your table
• Other event ideas
• Tips for a successful drive

Voter registration table materials:

• Voter Registration Guidelines: Conducting a Successful Drive Brochure: The official information you need to make sure new voter registrations count!

• Voter Registration Forms: Print out as many as you need, or pick up copies at your County Elections Office or local post office.

Ideas for how to set up your table: Here are some great ideas from business leaders who have done it:

• Advertise! Announce dates, times and locations of your Voter Registration Drive by posting notices in the break room, lunchroom, timecards areas, restrooms and public spaces -- or send an e-mail to employees announcing the program. 

• Get your employees' attention!  Put up a bright, colorful voter registration table manned by enthusiastic staff in a high-traffic area. Post a banner above it. If you wish, add balloons, music, or other energy-generating attractions.

• Offer a treat to everyone who comes by. Cookies, candy or a snack makes the voter registration drive fun, and helps to draw attention and spread the word.  If an employee is already registered to vote, thank them and ask if they need a forms for family members..

• Have all the materials you need. Print out voter registration forms so employees can fill them out on the spot. Refer to the  conducting a successful drive brochure to make sure your new registrations will count!

• Remind employees they must re-register to vote if they have moved or changed their names since the last election.

• Get everyone in the game. Talk with everyone who comes by. Tell your employees that Washington needs to grow and prosper, and their vote really DOES make a difference. Tell them to make sure to educate themselves about the issues and candidates so they can make an informed decision about what and who will be best for our state and their future.

• Determine an internal location where employees can drop off their completed forms for mailing if they don’t wish to mail them themselves. You can send the applications in one envelope.

• Include your shifts. For the day shift, consider manning the table early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Open up the table again as the evening shift comes to work. As the night shift ends, open it up once again so they can register at that time too.

Other Event Ideas

Food Themes – Hot dogs, snacks, and dessert served up for everyone by company leaders in the company foyer. 

Entertainment – Add music to attract attention. 

Prizes – You might offer a raffle ticket to everyone who registers or comes by the table with their voter registration card. Gift certificates make popular prizes.

Tips For a Successful Drive:

• Plan your drive well in advance of voter registration deadlines.

• Consider coordinating with other groups to maximize your efforts.

• Obtain permission from the owner or manager of the building before conducting drives on private property.

• Obtain voter registration forms online or from your local elections office.

• Know how to complete the voter registration form so you can assist individuals in filling theirs out.

• Allow people to take a registration form and mail it in themselves.

• Let people know they may fill out a form to update their existing registration (name change, address change, etc).

• Assist people with disabilities only when they ask for help.

• Have contact information for the local elections office available to aid in referring people.

• Submit completed forms within five business days (RCW 29A.08.115), by mail or in person, to the local elections office or Secretary of State’s Office.

• Return unused forms to the nearest local elections office or Secretary of State’s Office.

Enterprise Washington
1275 12th Avenue Northwest, Suite 2 Issaquah, WA 98027
info@enterprisewashington.com (425)313-0074