A presentation to Lowell, MA community members in an effort to increase voter turnout in the munciplaity

1. Lowell Votes
May 4 Public Meeting
Every vote makes a difference.

2. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Voting Age
Population
(2013)
Registered
Voters (2014)
2012 2014 2013
Thousands
Chart Title
Last Local
11,526
14% of V.A.P.
20% of registered voters, 35% of 2012 turnout
Source: Lowell Election and Census Office. “11-5-2013” 2013 Municipal General Election Voter List, Excel Table.
Local only 35% of Presidential Turnout

3. 2013 Voters as % of 2012 Voters
10-3
11-3
1-3
1-2
1-12-3
7-2
2-2
2-1
9-3
9-2
9-1
5-2
5-3
4-3
4-23-3
7-3
7-1
5-16-3
8-1
8-2
3-1
11-2
11-110-1
6-2
6-1
3-2
10-2
8-3
4-1
¯
0 1 20.5
Miles
2013 Vote
21% - 26%
27% - 31%
32% - 33%
34% - 43%
44% - 53%
2013Turnout:LowellElectionandCensusOffice.“11-5-2013”ExcelTable,geocoded.
2012Turnout:LowellElectionandCensusOffice.“11_6_2012”ExcelTable,geocoded.
Note: 58 voters unable to be geocoded and not represented on map.
Dropoff in all Neighborhoods

4. Lowell Votes Mission
We are a nonpartisan effort to increase
the number of people who vote in Lowell,
especially those who face barriers or have
historically low turnout rates.

5. Our Idea
Create and provide tools to a team of
volunteers and partner organizations.
The team will make personal contact with
voters and potential voters to encourage,
educate, and support them by meeting
them where they are: in churches, stores,
parks, community events, and most
especially, at their front doors.

6. What We Heard
• Education needed about candidates and
the City Council’s job is for all populations
• Focus on existing voters, but don’t ignore
registering new voters
• Use many channels: Social media,
traditional media, meeting and talking

7. What We Heard
• Voter registration can also serve as
gathering information
• Non-English speakers face special barriers,
including being able to read the ballot
• Need to cut through the“flood of
information”with relevent info

8. Ideas We Heard
• Hold fun events and do canvassing
• Create an informational website
• Reach out to the Public Schools
• Create a voter guide
• Film informational videos

9. Our Proposed Schedule
May Jun Jul
Planning and
Fundraising
Aug Sep Oct Nov
Outreach with
"Who is running"
message
Outreach with
"Vote Today"
message
Volunteer Recruiting, Training,
Creating Educational Materials
Outreach with "Why Vote" message

10. Breakout Groups
• Canvassing
• Education & Literature
• Events
• Marketing
• Media & Fundraising

11. Canvassing
• Cut turf and coordinate doorknocking
• Identify and recruiting block captains
• Phone bank and
do mailing
• Train canvassers

12. Education & Literature
• Create materials about how
city government works
• Create material about why
voting is important
• Create voter guides
• Create educational programs

13. Events
• Plan and make presentations to groups
(churches, neighborhoods, school, etc)
• Plan and hold rallies
• Table at existing events
• Promote other events

14. Marketing
• Create branding and marketing
campaigns
• Develop website and
maintain social media
• Create promotional
materials such as t-shirts
and buttons

15. Media & Fundraising
• Interface with traditional media
• Organize interviews and advertising
• Seek and apply for grants
• Reach out for private donations

16. How it all Comes Together
Media
Canvassing
Marketing
Events Education
Steering
Commitee