Postcards

The basics

1. Offer a personal greeting

2. Share a civic message

3. Call the recipient to action

Keep your message brief, and write smaller than you usually do. The space for your message is limited on a postcard.

Here’s how to address one:

You can send postcards to friends and family, college students, or strangers.

Example calls to action:

• “Register to vote right now—it only takes a couple of minutes online.”

• “Make a plan to vote!” (e.g. transportation to the polls, driving friends to vote with you, voting early where available)

• “It’s expected to be a very close election in your state; every vote matters!”

• “After you confirm you’re registered and make a plan to vote, please help your friends do the same!”

If you check the nuances of the recipients’ states, you can be more specific about the availability of online voter registration, deadlines, early voting options, or how to find their polling places.

Where can I get some postcards?

Many designs are available from Amazon and elsewhere. REV has a couple of favorite designs.

Also, postcard stamps are just 35¢, so you can buy 100 of them for $35 at your local post office.

What works?

Studies have shown that timing (right before a deadline) and self-promises significantly boost voter turnout. Including something like, “You promised me you’d vote the last time we spoke. Your polling place is at x. Let me know if you need any help!” may be effective. But it’s up to you to try different approaches.

Thank you for any contribution you make to strengthen democracy. Every bit adds up!