MyVote Democracy at Work Project

The MyVote Democracy at Work Project invites businesses, state and local government and nonprofit organizations to strengthen our democracy by engaging in nonpartisan activities that encourage their employees, customers and members to participate in elections. The project offers ideas to spark creativity in spreading the word about voting, and recognizes the civic spirit of everyone who takes part by listing them on the Secretary of State's website.

You can help to improve voter participation in California by using your favorite forms of communication to send brief nonpartisan messages about upcoming elections to your employees, customers or members.

Whether you choose email, text messaging, an online newsletter, website or printed material, the Democracy at Work Project provides easy-to-use tools to help you inspire others be more civically engaged.

Getting Started

We welcome your ideas and creativity as you choose the voter outreach method that feels right for you. Here are some easy ways to get started:

Step One: Choose a simple nonpartisan message about voting from the Democracy at Work Project's two-page sampler of ideas, or create one of your own. Each message contains a brief reminder of a key deadline to register to vote, request a vote by mail ballot or cast a ballot on Election Day. All include a link to the Secretary of State's website, where people will find the tools and information they need to be active and informed voters. Or use our sample article on the Democracy At Work Project in a newsletter or email to encourage members of your organization to participate.

Step Two: Load the MyVote Election Information button onto your web page. It links to the Secretary of State's voter education and outreach page, which provides easy access to voter registration forms, vote-by-mail ballot request forms, ballot information and answers to frequently asked questions about elections and voting. The MyVote button and instructions for installing it are available at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter_ed.htm.

Step Three: Consider organizing a nonpartisan voter registration event at your workplace. In 2008, participants in the MyVote Democracy at Work Project made voter registration materials available to employees during their lunch hours or at a company-sponsored "election fair" that employees could visit throughout the day.

Voters on the Move

Many registered voters don't realize that when they move to a new address, they need to re-register to vote. Other Californians registering to vote for the first time may not know where they can easily access the information they need to take part in our democracy.

You can provide a valuable service to your customers, members or employees, and help strengthen our democracy, by using the tools shown below to remind them to register or re-register to vote when they move.

Whose customers are voters on the move?

Realtors and escrow agents
Rental property owners and managers
Banks, mortgage lenders and brokers
Moving and storage companies
Insurance companies
Public and private utilities (electricity, gas,
water and telephone)
Internet, cable and satellite TV providers

Change-of-Address Voter Outreach Tools

Brief voter registration-related messages for people moving to a new address, which you can add to an email, website or other online or printed communication.

"MyVote Election Information" button that links from your website to the Secretary of State's voter education web page at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter_ed.htm.

One-page voter information handout for printing and distribution with voter registration cards provided by the Secretary of State. You can also add this handout to a website or send it to customers via email.

Want to know more?

For more information about the MyVote Democracy At Work Project, please contact - Voter Education and Outreach Services, at (916) 651-3070 or DemocracyAtWork@sos.ca.gov.