Fight Apathy, GOTV

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KEY MESSAGES

• In a nation founded on the principle that we're all created equal, voting is the one time when we are all equal and have the same say. 
• We're Americans -- it's our responsibility and civic duty as citizens to stand up to politicians trying to manipulate our voting laws by participating in our great democracy.
• This is America -- it should be voters choosing our leaders, not politicians choosing voters.

ELEVEN EXCUSES AND RESPONSES

1)    I still haven't decided which presidential candidate to vote for.

• You're not alone -- other voters are still undecided too. With so many political ads and issues to think about, sometimes people just want to use all the time they have.
• If you're on the fence about Obama versus Romney, just ask yourself: who do you trust to be on your side and do the right thing when no one's looking? Is it really the guy who says anything to get elected, keeps hiding his plans, and writes off half the country as irresponsible victims?

2)    It doesn't matter who wins.

• Think back to 2008 when the country was in the worst of the Great Recession. No doubt we've got a lot more to do, but we've come so far to get our economy back on track and get Americans back to work.
• If Romney becomes president, that's all put at risk -- along with Medicare, education funding, and even disaster relief, just so he can give the rich like himself more tax cuts.
• And don't forget that he'll ban all abortions, even in cases of rape, so the extreme ideologues controlling his party will help him maintain power.
• We can't afford to switch to Romney now, which means you can't afford to stay home.

3)    My vote is just one vote and won't matter.

• Look at what happened in the 2000 presidential election -- just 537 votes in Florida changed the course of American history. Imagine what could've been if Bush had not become president.
• This is America -- the world's leading democracy. It's our responsibility and civic duty as citizens to participate and vote.
• If you don't vote, you can't complain.

4)    My vote won't count with all the voter fraud and suppression I keep hearing about.

• Your vote matters, and there's no question we need to protect the integrity of our elections to make sure every vote counts. That's why we already have laws and protections in place.
• But on the off chance you're harassed at the polls or have any problems voting, call 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683).
• The news reports are right about some Republican politicians trying to manipulate our election laws for their personal gain.
• But all the barriers they're putting up to voting are all the more reason you need to go vote. This is America -- it should be voters choosing our elected leaders, not politicians choosing voters.

5)    No one cares if I vote or not.

• You should care. You're an American and this is a country founded on the principle that we're all created equal. Voting is the one time when we are all equal and have the same say.
• Voting is your chance to take control over what happens to your family and your community. We all need to vote and make sure the politicians know we count and matter.
• And if you don't vote, you won't be able to say you did when your friends ask -- remember the state elections office has a record of whether or not you voted that anyone can see.

6)    I don't have time and don't want to wait in line. Voting is a hassle.

• All the more reason to go vote early if you can!
• This is America -- the world's leading democracy. It's our responsibility and civic duty as citizens to participate and vote.
• Just make sure to show up at the correct polling place and if you have questions, call 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or check out http://www.866OurVote.org.

7)    I'm sick of the election and wish it'd be over.

• All the more reason to go vote early if you can!
• Then the next time a campaign volunteer calls you or knocks on your door, you can finally say you already voted, just like the voting records at the state election offices show – so no need for them to bother you again.
• Election day is only a few more days away. When it's over and your family or coworker asks, you can proudly say you voted -- that you did your duty as an American.

8)    I don't know where to vote or what to bring.

• Finding out is easy. For help call 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or check out http://www.866OurVote.org.
• You can also check your voter registration card or just go online to a polling place finder website like 411.org's, RockTheVote's, or Google's and type in the address where you're registered. (Be extra careful if you move around a lot or if you're away at college.)

9)    I don't have a ride to the polls.

• Let's contact the state and county political party or the presidential campaigns' local field offices -- they'll be happy to arrange a ride for you.
• The next time a volunteer trying to get out the vote calls you and asks if you need a ride, just say yes.

10)  I don't know how to vote on the ballot issues or sort through the misinformation out there.

• Here are some nonpartisan resources that might help: mediamatters.org, progressiveballot.org, theballot.org, ballot.org, ourvoiceourvote.org/, pushback.org/, themiddleclass.org/voterguide, and credoaction.com.

11)  I'm already all set to vote, thanks!

• Great, so what time are you planning to vote and where? And take a friend, too -- you can even get them to pledge to vote on Facebook.
• Before voting, make sure to do three things: check the status of your registration, confirm your correct polling place, and make sure you have the right ID.
• If you run into any problems voting, call 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683). You have a right to vote -- use it.

Reminder Talking Points

Voters who are still undecided this late in the game are not ignorant.

• Voters are busy people raising families and living their lives -- politics is not their top concern.
• With so many political ads and complex challenges facing the country, sometimes people want to use all the time they have to make their decision. Why shouldn't they?
• Actually, many of these voters are women and Independents -- we insult them, or any voter, at our peril. Romney taught us that lesson well.
  

Voters who vote against their own economic interests are not ignorant.

• Actually, we have plenty of leaders like President Obama and Warren Buffett who vote against their own economic interests all the time for the good of the country.
• Romney is an example of why trust and values matter to voters. Can you really trust a guy who keeps getting caught showing scorn for ordinary people?
• It's up to us to communicate our values and vision for the country -- an America where we're all in this together and everyone gets a fair shot.

We develop messaging by aggregating, analyzing and distilling polling, tested messaging, and expert recommendations, and monitoring the media to identify what is and isn't working. See here for some of the experts and organizations we draw on.