Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote is a ballot proposal to reduce barriers to voting and ensure that every vote is secure and counted so that so we – the people – are heard on Election Day.

Specifically, this ballot proposal provides a common-sense approach to safeguarding our elections, puts voters first, and removes barriers to voting for working families by:

• Protecting the right to vote a secret ballot
• Ensuring military service members and overseas voters get their ballots in time for their votes to count
• Providing voters with the option to vote straight party
• Automatically registering citizens to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines
• Allowing a citizen to register to vote until 15 days before an election by mail or in person. After that, citizens may register to vote in person with proof of residency up to and on Election Day.
• Providing all registered voters access to an absentee ballot for any reason
• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results.

Door to door canvassing is the most effective way to reach voters! Below are some tips for coordinating a canvass in your community:

1. Pick a meeting spot: you know your community best–pick a spot that is conducive to a crowd, and that is near the area where you’ll be canvassing.  This should also be where your volunteers come at the end of their canvassing shift.
   • Get a list of voters to contact: Promote the Vote has done extensive data analysis to know what communities we should target–if we don’t reach out first, contact us & we will make sure you have the right list
2. Train your Volunteers: Make sure your volunteers know best practices for door to door canvassing
3. Set goals: Canvassing is most effective when you set goals for your volunteers–a good rule of thumb is knocking 25 doors per hour.
4. Debrief: After your volunteers have canvassed, spend some time talking about what went well, and what can be improved on next time!

1. Pick a meeting spot: you know your community best–pick a spot where you & a team of volunteers can make calls for a few hours! Living rooms, kitchen tables, and even coffee shops work great!
2. Get a list of voters to contact: Promote the Vote has done extensive data analysis to know what communities we should target–if we don’t reach out first, contact us & we will make sure you have the right list of voters to contact.
3. Train your Volunteers: Make sure your volunteers know best practices for phone banking
4. Set goals: Canvassing is most effective when you set goals for your volunteers–a good rule of thumb is knocking 25 calls per hour.

Debrief: After your volunteers have phone-banked, spend some time talking about what went well, and what can be improved on next time!

Cell phone or mobile device: We’re utilizing a tool called MiniVan to provide volunteers with walk lists

Promote the Vote Literature: Every door you stop at should be left with Promote the Vote materials.

Comfortable walking shoes: You’ll be walking for a while during your canvass–make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes!

Phone Bank Materials

Cell phone or landline:  To make calls, you need a phone! Either a cell phone or landline works–whichever is easier for you.

Computer or laptop: We’ll be utilizing digital call lists to cut down on our paper use! Bring a computer or laptop so you can pull up the call list! It works best when every phone banker has a computer.  Computers not your thing? Don’t worry! Shoot us an email at info@promotethevotemi.com and we can make alternative arrangements.

Things to remember

The End Game: This is about Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote winning in November and expanding access to the ballot to thousands of eligible Michigan citizens.  Talking to as many voters as possible sets us up for success.

We are strictly nonpartisan: Promote the Vote is a nonpartisan ballot initiative and does not endorse or support partisan candidates or efforts.

Be Bold: Step outside your comfort zone & talk to voters you wouldn’t normally talk to–you’ll be surprised at the great conversations you’ll have.

Post event to map

• Use a smart phone or computer to pull up: com
• Scroll down to TAKE ACTION and click “Post Canvass Event”
• Submit details for your event →
  • Be detailed in directions, particularly if you are meeting at an intersection or landmark to ensure others can find you.
• Once you submit the event, check your email and “Confirm the Event”
• Now your event is posted and you can start recruiting others to join!

How to train volunteers

1. Make sure volunteers know what Promote the Vote does and why it is important:

Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote is a ballot committee looking to make voting more secure, accessible and fair. Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote aims to reduce barriers to voting and ensure that our votes are secure and counted by:

• Protecting the right to vote a secret ballot
• Ensuring military service members and overseas voters get their ballots in time for their votes to count
• Providing voters with the option to vote straight party
• Automatically registering citizens to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines
• Allowing a citizen to register to vote until 15 days before an election by mail or in person. After that, citizens may register to vote in person with proof of residency up to and on Election Day
• Providing all registered voters access to an absentee ballot for any reason
• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results

2. Explain how the voter contact phase works:

In order to win in November, Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote needs the majority of voters to vote ‘YES’ on Promote the Vote.  To help us reach this goal, Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote will be contacting voters across the state to educate them on the value of having a system that reduces barriers to voting.

3. Practice the script (next page) & share tips for effective voter contact:

It’s a numbers game: The more people you educate about Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote, the more people you’ll have educated. It is easy to not knock every door or make every phone call because of thoughts like “this person doesn’t look old enough to vote” or “that person will probably say no.”  Avoid these thoughts and talk to as many people as you can!

Make Eye contact: Talk to a person, not a crowd: it is easy for a voter to ignore you if you do not make eye contact — always try to make eye contact! It is also easy for people to ignore you if you are just speaking to a group or crowd. Try to ask individuals directly.

Never Argue: Some people will express that they don’t believe we should make voting more accessible. Others might be rude, obnoxious, mean, or even racist It’s important as a representative of Promote the Vote that you not argue or engage with these individuals. It is better to say “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “you are entitled to your opinion” than to try and change their mind. Arguing with a voter will only stop you from collecting more signatures.

4. Share FAQ & Important things to remember:

Get the Emails: Emails will be used to get new volunteers, online donations, and for other campaign initiatives. Emails are very important — they are easy to overlook because they are not necessary for the verification of the signatures, but you should prioritize them. It will help Promote the Vote in the long run.

Hi, I’m [name] a volunteer with Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote. Today we’re talking to our neighbors about Promote the Vote–are you familiar with us?

If YES, they are familiar:

Are  you planning on voting ‘Yes” for Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote in November?

If yes:Thank you so much for your support.  This effort wouldn’t exist without committed voters!

If NO, they are not familiar:

Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote is a ballot committee looking to pass an amendment to the Michigan Constitution to make voting more secure, accessible and fair. Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote aims to ensure that ballots are accessible and that elections are secure–we think the citizens of Michigan deserve a voting system that works for all.

How about you? Can Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote count on you to vote Yes this November?

If yes:Thank you so much for your support.  This effort wouldn’t exist without committed voters!

If Still Undecided: It’s okay if you need more time to decide, Promote the Vote hopes to earn your support at a later time.

If no: Thanks so much for your time. Have a great day!

Thank you again for your time and have a great day!

Promotional Materials can be obtained by emailing: info@promotethevotemi.com!

• This ballot proposal makes common sense updates to our voting system in Michigan to reduce barriers to voting and ensure every vote is secure and counted
• These measures will improve the accuracy of voter registration records and will also reduce long lines on Election Day.
• These common sense reforms will reduce barriers to voting– whether someone lives in a rural area, suburban town or crowded city.
• With so many Americans working so hard, we should have a voting system that works for them.
• This ballot propsal offers a common-sense approach to safeguarding our elections, puts voters first, and removes barriers for working families.

By making voting more accessible, secure and fair, our democracy will better serve all Americans and our laws will better reflect the will of the people.

Yes on Proposal 3/Promote the Vote’s provides a common-sense approach to safeguarding our elections, puts voters first, and removes barriers for working families by:

• Protecting the right to vote a secret ballot
• Ensuring military service members and overseas voters get their ballots in time for their votes to count
• Providing voters with the option to vote straight party
• Automatically registering citizens to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines
• Allowing a citizen to register to vote until 15 days before an election by mail or in person. After that, citizens may register to vote in person with proof of residency up to and on Election Day
• Providing all registered voters access to an absentee ballot for any reason
• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results

We’re excited to distribute our literature throughout the state to our volunteers & supporters. You may pick up lawn signs, informational cards, and stickers at the following offices:

Q: Why are you doing this now?

A: The citizens of Michigan deserve the access to the ballot enjoyed by citizens across this country.  Many of these reforms have been adopted in the majority of states.  It is time Michigan citizens enjoyed the freedom that others have long enjoyed.

Q: Why do we need this?

A: Michigan citizens lack the same access to the ballot enjoyed by the citizens in nearly every other state in the country.  Each of these reforms is important to ensuring that we have a voting system that works for all Americans.  For more information on the reforms in this proposed amendment, see the Promote the Vote website.

Q: Are you paid? Who funds this campaign?

A: I am a volunteer with Promote the Vote, which is funded by donors across the state and nation

Q: Who are the partners in Promote the Vote?

A: Promote the Vote is a collaborative effort that includes: League of Women Voters of Michigan, NAACP Detroit, NAACP Michigan State Conference, ACLU of Michigan, Michigan League for Public Policy, and a number of other individuals and organizations that is constantly growing. For the full list of our partners and endorsements, visit the Promote the Vote website.

Q: Who can I contact if I have more questions?

A: Promote the Vote: info@promotethevotemi.com