Reaching Friends in Swing States
I am using Facebook to send personalized messages to my progressively minded friends in swing states, those with competitive races for either president, senate, or both..
Here is WHY:
To reach friends that are reluctant voters. Even if we reach record turnout this year, a third of people will not vote. We find in polling that 10% of the people that are planning to vote, don’t vote.
To influence voters in swing states, who will decide the presidency and which party controls Congress. Party control is essential if real reforms will be made next year.
To remind swing-state voters how important they are. Campaign ads focus on voting; the Electoral College and party control of Congress is more for the geeks. The national importance of Senate races is rarely mentioned. This is particularly true this year because Democrats are running in red states and don’t want to push that button.
To remind swing-state voters of registration deadlines. In 2016, 30% of those eligible were not registered. Registration drives have been hampered this year by the virus.
To emphasize why we’re voting. We’re looking for reforms in health care, social justice and climate change. These issues often get lost in the focus on the personalities of politicians.
To let my friends know I care. Voting can be a lonely, private affair. I want friends to know I am with them. Given talk of vote suppression, my friends may face challenges to voting.
To remind them of the importance of the election. I am doing that by just taking a chance and contacting people with whom I’ve had little contact.
To inspire them to contact others in their state. The people who live in a swing state will know more people there than I will, living on the West Coast. Friends there could have a big impact by posting our meme, and especially by continuing this process of direct contact.
Here is HOW:
I start with a swing state in our list and then follow these steps:
Step 1 Find swing-state friends on Facebook
Facebook has a feature where you can use any search window to type “My friends who live in [insert name of swing state].” The results list three names with the option to “See all.” You will be surprised how many people you know in swing states.
Step 2 Check out their profile
Check their profile. I skip people that post things that contradict my values. I also skip people that have not posted for many months.
I then spend a moment to feel my connection with them. Even if they are a friend of a friend, there is still a heart connection with my larger community. And I focus on the idea that I’m engaging with them and offering them something, not trying to sell them something.
Step 3 Send them a personalized direct message
Here is an example that I sent to friends in North Carolina;
“Bill,
We have not had much contact here, but the urgency of the election is taking me out of my comfort zone. I am in Portland with time and resources but out of the election action. You are in North Carolina with very close races for President and Senator - it will only get crazier there. I'm writing to offer you my support and to explore if there is any way I can help you and your friends vote?”
Step 4 Respond back in appropriate ways
We find that over half respond, most pretty quickly. We’ve been told that is really high for Facebook.
Some have told me they are working on the election; I give an enthusiastic appreciation. Others tell me they are voting. I thank them and often ask how they plan to vote. Having a plan to vote is a big step toward actually voting. And if they indicate a reluctance to vote in their response, I try to engage them further, acknowledging how dysfunctional the system is as we use in this page: Compelling Reasons To Vote.
If their response is short, I give a simple response of gratitude and leave it there. If they have taken the time to write a couple paragraphs, as most have done, I keep the interaction going.
I might send a Circle Voting meme that is appropriate to the conversation, e.g. registration deadlines.
For Example:
If they seem appreciative of my contacting them, I tell them more about what I am doing and give them a link to this piece.
Step 5 Enjoy the pleasure that comes from contacting friends, making new ones and doing something with all this angst and pent-up energy.
I can’t emphasize this last step enough. It really feels great to receive responses of appreciation from my friends and to make a difference. And know that even if they are planning to vote, your contact will increase the probability of it happening.
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Remember that your very act of contacting them, and taking a risk on FB, is giving them the message that we are all connected and voting for each other. This could have a ripple effect as they interact with friends in their state.
I encourage you to modify this in ways that fit you. And I’d be honored if you share this link with some of the people that you contact.
Let me know of your own modifications and experiences contacting your friends.
-Murray Edelman 2020
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