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How to Stay Involved if You Can’t Volunteer at the Polls, But You Want to Give Your Time

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.

We are quickly approaching election day, and it is important to get involved in the democratic process! Every election, millions of Americans volunteer their time at the polls. Each state recruits workers differently, so if you are interested, check out the regulations of your state. While volunteering at polling stations is a great way to get involved, there are plenty of other alternatives and ways to give your time!

In this country, voting is a wonderful right that we have. It is a way for people to have a voice and ensure democracy. Voting is extremely important and despite the vast majority of people that do vote, there are plenty of able citizens that do not. Your vote matters!

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A great way to get involved in the election is to get people to vote. Educating people on the importance of their vote is a simple way to do this. Another way to get involved is to call voters. Phone banking is one of the most effective ways to reach voters right now. You can learn how to do this by searching for virtual training. This method is COVID-19 friendly and will make a huge difference! 

Writing letters to voters is another great way to get involved. Randomized trials have shown that people who receive letters are more likely to vote. When choosing who to write to, there are many factors to consider. Writing letters is more personal and time-consuming, so you want to target groups that would make an impact.

Eligible voters in swing states are a great group to write to. These are the states that will really make a difference. Every vote is precious. Writing letters can help increase voter turnout. If you want to write to voters, visit votefwd.org and enter your email address. From there, you will receive a template and all you have to do is complete it and send it!

a hand holds a pen writing on sheets of paper on a wooden desk. there\'s a coffee cup and a notebook in front of it.
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Getting involved with a campaign is another way to take action. If you feel strongly about a candidate, contact your local campaign office and see how you can stay active. While going door-to-door may be less accessible with the pandemic, you can still donate and distribute signs.

Striking conversations with the people around you will also be important. Encourage your friends and family to vote. Shuttling voters is also a simple way to help. Many people are unable to physically get to polling locations. If you know a friend or family member who would not be able to drive themselves to a polling place, take them with you! 

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There are plenty of ways to get involved with the electoral process. During this election season especially, voting is not enough. Use your voice and abilities to make a difference. Calling voters, writing to voters, sparking conversations, driving voters to polling places and educating people are all simple ways to get involved.

Kim Casey is a senior at Hofstra. She has a double major in Public Relations and Psychology. She is a member of the Hofstra Cheerleading team, PAD Hofstra and a Pure Barre instructor.