Ms. Magazine: What You Can Do Today to Increase Voter Turnout

With just days till the election, and millions of ballots already cast, many are searching for last-minute ways to get out the vote. Activists and organizers are here to say: It’s not too late to make a difference in your community. …

But beyond organized volunteer opportunities, advocates are emphasizing the importance of being engaged within one’s own community.

“It’s important to talk to your community. If your mother, father or friend isn’t engaged, then talk to them and engage them on the issues, and help them figure out the best way to make a plan to vote,” said Sylvia Albert, who is the director of voting and elections with Common Cause.

“The reality is, peer pressure does work! And it can be used in a positive way here to engage more voters in the process that may have previously been more apathetic.”

With this in mind, Common Cause encourages volunteers to stay in their own states, emphasizing the fact that no matter where one lives, there are likely immense problems facing voters—and that organizing is most successful within one’s own community and relationships.

And for these previously apathetic voters, who may not be registered still, there’s still hope: 21 states and the District of Columbia offer same-day voter registration.

For those looking for a glimmer of hope in an election that’s been rife with voter suppression, organizers point to the recent hopeful mass-mobilization around voting.

“Normally we get 6,000 volunteers. This time, so far we have upwards of 40,000 volunteers,” said Albert. “It shows real interest and desire by the American people to ensure a free, fair and safe election.”