Vote Tripling: What is it, and does it really work?

Photo by Donny O’Neill

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already planning to vote. Good on you! Our elections are growing in intensity, and establishing trust within the voting process can be difficult. Research increasingly shows that traditional election tactics like get-out-the-vote phone calls and texts from strangers are losing traction. Instead, what is called “relational organizing” or simply spreading the message to vote in your own personal networks is proving to be more effective. Another common term for this strategy is “vote tripling” which means reaching out to three friends and asking them to vote. 

Here’s the bottom line: people are more likely to do something when pressured with personal accountability. In short, we tend to care about the people in our lives and what they care about. Leveraging trust and a sense of responsibility from existing relationships is why vote tripling works. It’s proven that friend-to-friend contact can increase voter turnout by 8%. That number may seem small, but a single vote decides some elections. So yes, IT MATTERS! 

Being a voter also comes with bragging rights. A group of economists at Oxford University discovered that social image, or how you are perceived, is a driving force in voter turnout. Simply “being a voter” implies that you are a good citizen. And, in case you forgot, whether we vote or not is public information. 

Just think to yourself. Are you more likely to read a text from your friends or from POW AF? 

How Do I Vote Triple?

Step 1: Identify three people in your life that you want to vote

Go for those you feel comfortable with, but also think about people in your life who might not already plan to vote! 

Step 2: Draft and send a personalized message urging them to vote

This is where messaging is important! See tips and example messages below. 

Step 3: Follow-up

Let them know you’ll follow up and send them a photo of your “I voted” sticker to incite FOMO!

Tips for Messaging

1. Make it personal!

What issues do you care about most this election? How would you be specifically impacted?

When crafting your message, think about why this specific person would also care. Here’s an example: You care about climate change and text one of your ski buddies to vote, explaining your anxiety about changing winters and how X candidate(s) will take action. 

2. Make it fun! 

Send a funny meme, tiktok, or reel about voting to take some pressure off and start the conversation. See @pow_action_fund on insta for inspo! 

Bonus points if you make a plan with your friends to vote together! Drop something like this in the group chat: “Does anyone want to carpool to vote and then hit the trails, get a beer, etc?”

3. Get at your friends’ consciences (for a good cause) 

Remind people that their voting records are public: “Omg I just remembered that anyone can see whether or not you voted.. I would be so embarrassed if I didn’t vote!” 

Get Out The Vote!

Politics can be divisive, but voting doesn’t have to be. Vote tripling works, and it’s as easy as sending a text. Do your part, text your people, and get back to doing what you love, knowing that you made a difference.