2018 Voter’s Choice Act Sample Messages for Public Education

Best Practices for Messaging

The Voter’s Choice Act is happening in Sacramento, San Mateo, Napa, Nevada and Madera Counties for the 2018 elections. The Statewide Direct Primary is June 5, 2018 and the Statewide General Election is November 6, 2018. All sample messages are written to be used for these five counties and these two elections.

Add the name of your county name in every post. Not every county in California is implementing the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA). Your messages will travel farther than your county boundaries. People that are not in your county will read your message. To reduce the potential of confusing voters in other counties please add your county name to every post.

Sample messages include both a newsletter/email format and a social media post.

When using social media please tag the Office of the Secretary of State @CASOSvote , use the hashtag #VotersChoice, and hashtag the name of the county, i.e. # Sacramento or #Napa.

Contact Information for 2018 Voters Choice Act Choice Act Counties

Insert this information where it is suggested:

Madera

(559) 675-7720

E-Mail:

Napa

(707) 253-4321

E-Mail:

Nevada

(530) 265-1298

E-Mail:

Sacramento

(916) 875-6451

E-Mail:

San Mateo

(650) 312-5222

E-Mail:

General Education About The Voters Choice Act

Use this sample message as an introduction to the VCA. This sample message is not tied to specific dates, so it may be used at any time in 2018.

Newsletter/Email

Subject:Elections are changing in [Name of County]!

The California Voter’s Choice Act is a new law that provides greater flexibility and more convenience for voters in the counties of Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo starting in 2018. This new way of voting allows voters to choose how, when, and where they cast their ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election. Most polling places will no longer be used for voting. Instead voters will have three choices for how to vote:

  • By Mail.
  • County Ballot Drop Box.
  • In person at any Vote Center.

By Mail

You can mail your ballot as soon as you receive it.

County Ballot Drop Box

You can drop off your ballot at any secure Ballot Drop Box. Dropboxes will be open 29 days before Election Day, and located conveniently throughout the county. No postage is required at Ballot Drop Boxes.

Vote Center

You can vote in person by visiting any Vote Center in your county. All Vote Centers will be open for at least 4 days: Saturday, November 3 through Election Day on Tuesday, November 6. Some Vote Centers will be open for 11 days starting Saturday, October 27. At every Vote Center you can:

  • Vote inperson.
  • Register and vote the same day, all the way through Election Day
  • Drop off your completed ballot.
  • Vote with an accessible voting machine
  • Get help and voting materials in multiple languages
  • Get a replacement ballot

It’s important to spread the word about how elections are changing!

More information is available on our website: VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov.

Social Media

Elections are changing in #[County Name] County! All reg voters will get a ballot in the mail weeks before the election. You have 3 options for how to vote: by-mail, county drop box, or in-person at any Vote Center in your county. Learn more atVotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

Invitation To An Event

Use this sample message to promote or invite people to a Voter’s Choice Act education event.

Newsletter/Email

Subject:Learn How Elections Are Changing In [Insert Name of County]!

[Insert name of group] is hosting a public education event about important changes coming to elections in [Insert Name of County]. The event is at [Insert Location] on [Insert Date and Time].

Our event is about the California Voter’s Choice Act which is a new law that provides greater flexibility and more convenience for voters in the counties of Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo starting in 2018. This new way of voting allows voters to choose how, when, and where they cast their ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election. Voters now have three choices for how to vote: vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off, and voting in-person at any Vote Center in [Insert Name of County]. Learn more at [Insert Website] or VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

Would you be able to help get the word out about the event?

Attached is the event flyer with the event location, time, and link to RSVP.

Social Media

Learn how elections are changing in #[County Name] County at a #VotersChoice workshop in [Name of location and Date]. Visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov for more info. @CASOSVote [Attach flyer]

Election Milestones

These are sample messages for specificdates that are important forthe VCA.

Here is the suggested timing of these sample messages for the June 5, 2018 statewide primary election:

  • Ballots Are On Their Way: May 7 – May 25
  • The First Vote Centers Open: May 26 – June 1
  • Conditional Voter Registration: May 22 – June 5
  • More Vote Centers Open: June 2 – June 5
  • Election Day: June 5

For the November 6, 2018 statewide General Election:

  • Ballots Are On Their Way: October 8 – October 26
  • The First Vote Centers Open: October 27 – November 6
  • Conditional Voter Registration: October 23 – November 6
  • More Vote Centers Open: November 3 – November 6
  • Election Day:Tuesday, November 6

Ballots Are On Their Way

Newsletter/Email

Subject:Check your mail box!

Check your mail box! All registered voters in [Name of County] will soon be receiving a ballot in the mail. You will have 3 options for voting;

By Mail - You can mail your ballot as soon as you receive it.

County Ballot Drop Box -You can drop off your ballot at any secure Ballot Drop Box as soon as you receive it. No postage is required at Ballot Drop Boxes.

Vote Center – Vote in person at any Vote Center in your countystarting October 27. At every Vote Center you can:

  • Register and vote the same day, all the way through Election
  • Day Vote in-person.
  • Drop off your completed ballot.
  • Vote usingan accessible voting machine
  • Get help and voting materials in multiple languages
  • Get a replacement ballot

To find out where Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes are located in your county visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

To learn more about the changes to elections in your county visit [Name of Your Website] or VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

If you are a registered voter and did not receive your ballot in the mail, contact your county elections office at [County Contact Information]

Ballots Are On Their Way (continued)

Social Media

Nov 6 Election Ballots are on their way! Check your mailbox. Every reg voter in #[County Name] County will receive a ballot. You have 3 options for how to vote: by-mail, county drop box, or in-person at any vote center in your county. Learn more at VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

The First Vote Centers Open

Newsletter/Email

Subject: Vote Centers are Now Open!

Vote Centers are now open in [Name of County]! Most Polling Places will no longer be used for voting.You now have the choice to vote in-person at any VoteCenter in your county starting today. At every Vote Center you can:

  • Register to vote or update your voter registration
  • Vote in person
  • Drop off your ballot
  • Get a replacement ballot
  • Vote using an accessible voting machine
  • Get help and voting materials in multiple languages

To find out where Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes are located in your county visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

If you have not received your ballot in the mail contact [County Contact Information]

The California Voter’s Choice Act is a new law that provides more choices for voters in the counties of Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo starting in 2018. This new way of voting allows voters to choose how, when, and where they cast their ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election. Voters now have three choices for how to vote: vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off, and voting in-person at VoteCenters. Learn more at [Insert Website] or VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

Social Media

Vote Centers are now open in#[ Name of County] County!They are open every day until Election Day on Nov 6. Drop your ballot off, vote-in person, register to vote, or get help with voting at any Vote Center. Find a Vote Center near youat VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

Conditional Voter Registration (Same Day Registration)

Newsletter/Email

Subject: Forgot to Register to Vote?

Did you forget to register to vote or know someone who did? Eligible voters in [Name of County] still have a chance to register and vote before Election Day on November 6. Eligible voters can now register to vote or update your voter registration at any VoteCenter in [Name of County], even on Election Day. To find out where Vote Centers are located in your county visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

The California Voter’s Choice Act is a new law that provides more choices for voters in the counties of Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo starting in 2018. This new way of voting allows voters to choose how, when, and where they cast their ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election. Voters now have three choices for how to vote: vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off, and voting in-person at vote centers. Learn more at [Insert Website] or VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

Social Media

# [Name of County] County did you or someone you know forget to register for the Nov 6 Election? It’s not too late! Visit any Vote Center in your county to register and vote until 8:00pm on Nov 6. Find out where at VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

More Vote Centers Open

Newsletter/Email

Subject: More Vote Centers are Now Open!

More Vote Centers are now open in [Name of County]! Most polling places will no longer be used for voting. You now have the choice to vote in-person at any vote center in your county starting today. At every Vote Center you can:

  • Vote in person
  • Register to vote or update their voter registration
  • Drop off your ballot
  • Get a replacement ballot
  • Vote using an accessible voting machine
  • Get help and voting material in multiple languages

To find out where Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes are located in your county visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

If you have not received your ballot in the mail contact [County Contact Information]

The California Voter’s Choice Act is a new law that provides more choices for voters in the counties of Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo starting in 2018. This new way of voting allows voters to choose how, when, and where they cast their ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail a few weeks before the election. Voters now have three choices for how to vote: vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off, and voting in-person at vote centers. Learn more at [Insert Website] or VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

Social Media

MORE Vote Centers are now open in#[ Name of County] County! They are open every day until Election Day on Nov 6. Drop your ballot off, vote-in person, register to vote, or get help with voting at any Vote Center. Find out where they are at VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

Election Day

Newsletter/Email

Subject: It’s Election Day!

Today is Election Day and the last day to register to vote, vote in-person, or to return your ballot in [Name of County].Visit any Vote Center in [Name of County] to register to vote, vote in person, drop off your ballot, receive a replacement ballot, or get help with voting. You can also return your ballot before 8:00 p.m. at any County Ballot Drop Box.

To find out where Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes are located in your county visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov

You can also contact [County Contact Information] if you need immediate assistance.

Social Media

It’s Election Day! Last day to vote or register to vote in #[Name of County]. Drop off your ballot before 8pm at any drop box or Vote Center. Visit any Vote Center to vote, register to vote or get help with voting. To find aVote Center or Drop Box near you visit VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov #VotersChoice @CASOSvote

Second Phone Script or Robocall

This script runs about 1 minute.

First 10 seconds: Customized to county and caller

Next 50 seconds: VCA script

Hi [Insert Name of Caller] I am calling you about important changes to voting in this election.A new law makes voting more convenient and accessible in [Name of County]. Voters can nowchoose how, when, and where they cast their ballot.

All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail after October 8th. You will have three choices for how to vote: voting-by-mail, voting-in-person, or dropping your completed ballot off at a secured drop box.

Traditional polling places have been replaced with voting centers. Instead of being tied down to a single polling location, voters now have the freedom to cast a ballot in person at any voting center in your county. Voting centers look and feel like traditional polling places, but now a voter can:

  • Vote in person,
  • Drop off their ballot,
  • Get a replacement ballot,
  • Vote using an accessible voting machine,
  • Get help and voting material in multiple languages,
  • Register to vote,
  • Or update their voter registration, even on Election Day.

For more information visit the Voters Choice dot S-O-S dot C-A dot G-O-V(VotersChoice.SoS.Ca.Gov) for more information about how elections are changing in your county.