In This Section:
How to Talk About Voting
Constant federal attacks on elections are designed to anger, intimidate, and discourage people from voting. Constant lies about fraud, miscounts, and illegal voters worry us or turn us into cynics. Let’s not do that!
Remember: the federal government does not have the power to run or interfere with our elections, which are run by the states. No matter WHO is president, their comments and orders that say otherwise have just one goal: to create confusion and doubt – to keep people, such as those who may not vote for them, from voting.
American voters should be able to pick our leaders by casting a vote that is guaranteed to be counted.
To ensure that the will of the people prevails, talk to friends, family, and neighbors about using their vote. Voting is our power to decide our future!
Talking Points
Guidance & Examples
Keep it simple and direct – Avoid abstractions or details about policy
If they say:
“Illegals are voting!”
Try to reply:
“Local officials have strong, detailed procedures in place to be sure that eligible voters are able to vote and that all votes are counted.”
Make it tangible and personal. Voting is how we impact our lives. Not about democracy, having an equal say, or doing our duty.
If they say:
“Voting does not change anything.”
Try to reply:
“Voting is about my neighborhood, my people, my future. I want to vote for a leader who represents that.”
Don’t speak about election security or integrity – emphasize local systems that have been doing the work and how we can help them.
If they say:
“Trump is stealing our elections! And we can’t stop him!”
Try to reply:
“In New York, election administrators work every day through bipartisan local systems to ensure that eligible voters can vote and their ballots are counted. Our job is to defend that system and make sure no one — at any level — can interfere with the officials who are accountable to our communities.”
How to respond to attacks on mail-in ballots.
If they say:
“Vote by mail allows voter fraud.”
Try to reply:
“Vote by mail has been available to American voters for more than 150 years. Taking away options doesn’t protect anything—it just makes it harder for people to participate.”
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