Best Practices for Encouraging Employees to Vote

Each even-numbered year (and sometimes in the odd ones), we’re asked to head to the polls and cast our vote for the men and women who will decide policy at the local, state and federal levels. All considered, this can seem like a lofty ask, and with various dates, deadlines and guidelines for voting, our country’s election system can be difficult to navigate. That’s why it’s important that companies, trade associations and other business organizations make resources available to their employees, members or other stakeholders so they can participate and become educated before going to the polls.

Whether someone needs to register to vote, update their registration, look up their polling place or find their candidates, it’s crucial they have the tools at their fingertips to do so. Employees appreciate being provided this information and want to hear from their employer about issues and elections. According to the BIPAC 2016 Employer to Employee Engagement Study:

• 52% of those who got information from their employer said it led them to register to vote.
• 65% of employees are more likely to vote based on the information received from employers.
• 83% found the information received from employers helpful in deciding how to vote.

When conducting voter registration and education activities, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

• Never tell an employee how to vote. Instead provide them educational resources.
• Every organization has a different culture, and what works for one might not work for another. Diversify your communications so every employee has an opportunity to receive information — whether it be on social media, via email or from a poster hanging on a bulletin board.
• Make the connection personal. If a voter understands the difference their vote can make and how the election outcome can affect them, they will be more likely to cast their ballot.
• Participate in Employee Voter Registration Week!

In 2014, the Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC) started Employee Voter Registration Week, an effort to make a dent in the number of unregistered citizens across the country. This year, the campaign is celebrating its fifth anniversary and will be held Sept. 24-28.

During this week, companies, associations and other organizations will join together to encourage voter registration and participation among private sector citizens. The initiative will not tell employees how to vote or whom to vote for, but instead aims to serve as a resource to help employers educate their employees about key issues and the importance of participating in the electoral process. If you’re interested in joining this important effort, please visit EmployeesVote.com to download messaging and graphics and sign up to be a partner.

Let’s get out the vote for the midterm elections!