How to avoid voter apathy and increase voter turnout
Many organizations grapple with voter apathy. While it can be problematic for an organization whose bylaws require a quorum, it can be detrimental to the operation of the association. Here is a list of suggestions to help increase voter turnout:
- Communication Strategy: Associations that have had the best results have used a multi-channel approach to getting the word out, including election information in all the communications (Call to action vote on line it is easier to participate online). Groups that have had a good experience have done an “all of the above” strategy on including in existing communications (E.g., newsletters), posting at common areas, emailing before the election, emailing at the start of the election, and emailing during the election.
- AssociationVoting's Turnout Reminder Boosters, Announcement Reminders, Postcard and letter system, Verified Voter Reminders, and Open Ballot Catchers have all proven to be effective in increasing voter turnout. These purchasable Add-Ons will help keep your voters up to date on ongoing elections, along with reminding non-voters about the importance of how much their vote matters.
- Incentives: We had a group that had a change in management, but continued with the program their first Voting Manager set up to move voter turnout from apathy to a quorum: They reward voting participation by providing a 10% discount on their association fee in the month after the close of the election, and have seen an increase in voter turnout ever since.
- Multi-Year Proxies: One of the newest things we’ve heard of is multi-year proxies. We haven’t seen this in practice much, but the idea is you get the proxy, keep it on file for five years, and the board is authorized to vote a quorum/present for that person, so that you’re able to get to the quorum without them taking a position on any particular issue. For this one, you would have to ask your association counsel, because this is a new thing that is not allowed everywhere, and we have the impression there is only a minority of places where it is allowed.
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