*This information is current as of the 2008 November election; check back later this year for updates!* 

How do you get voters mobilized? Educate them! A crucial part of voter mobilization involves engaging voters in the electoral process. Voter education activities provide unique opportunities for your organization to improve public understanding of the issues you work on, how the democratic process works and why citizen participation matters.

Nonpartisan Voter Education Resources

Want to learn more about the candidates but don't know where to begin? Check out MPP's listing of nonpartisan voter education resources which includes everything from contact information for the parties to voter guides at the local level.

Candidate Events

A great way to engage voters and acquaint them with candidates and their issues is to organize a candidate event. There are many different formats to choose from – many choose a traditional debate style forum while others choose a less formal format, such as a candidate fair, with the opportunity for voters to speak directly with their elected officials.

The Minnesota Participation Project is seeking to enlist the support of nonprofits, either as a lead sponsor or a cosponsor, to organize and conduct candidate events in the districts they serve. As a part of this effort, MPP is offering the following services to interested nonprofits: Training: MPP will offer training sessions on the “how-to’s” of running a candidate meeting, fair, or forum.

Planning: MPP will assist any nonprofit interested in conducting a candidate event with preparation, planning, and implementation.

Publicity: MPP will work to publicize your candidate event through various media channels.

Organizing: MPP will assist with turnout for your candidate event.

MPP is also willing to tailor our efforts to meet the needs of your organization. We would like your feedback and suggestions in order to be the most effective. Please let us know how we can better assist you in this important voter education effort.

Planning, Organizing, and Conducting Your Candidate Event

Candidate Forum Turnout Toolbox

 
Does My Vote Make Any Difference?
This is a common question - and the answer is yes, of course your vote matters!

Here are some important examples:

In 2002, Dan Sparks was elected to the Minnesota State Senate by 5 votes, and Mike McGinn was elected to the State Senate by 35 votes.

In 1999, Leslie Byrne was elected to the Virginia Senate by 37 votes – fewer than one vote per precinct.

John F. Kennedy’s margin of victory of Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential race was less than one vote per precinct.

One vote per precinct passed the women’s right to vote in California in 1911.