If you think one vote can’t make a difference, remember some of the closest elections in U.S. history.
In 2000, 537 ballots in Florida determined the presidency. Local races are often just as close, yet many voters still stay home.
If you manage campaigns or oversee elections, you know how hard it can be to get people to the polls. People care about their communities, but they need a reason and a reminder to show up.
This article explains three proven ways to increase voter turnout in local elections. You’ll learn useful strategies you can apply before your next campaign.
1. Support Voter Registration Before Deadlines
Low voter turnout often starts with one issue. Many eligible voters miss their chance because they move or don’t complete the voter registration process on time.
Instead of relying on automatic voter registration or same-day voter registration, focus on reaching voters earlier. Target people who recently changed their address and haven’t updated their information.
Target New Movers With Verified Data
People who move often forget to re-register. You can find them through new mover files from licensed data vendors.
These vendors use the U.S. Postal Service’s National Change of Address (NCOALink) data along with property and utility records to identify new residents.
Work with trusted vendors to:
- Identify new residents within your district
- Send registration reminders before state deadlines
- Use demographic filters to reach the right audiences
This method keeps your registration data accurate and helps you reach more voters across the electorate before election season.
Reach Voters Through Local Registration Events
Young voters make up a large share of the electorate. However, many don’t register in time. Some move for college or work. Others don’t realize how much local decisions affect their lives.
You can reach young people through voter registration drives at:
- School campuses and local universities
- Community centers and libraries
- Fairs, festivals, and neighborhood events
Set up a simple table where citizens can register in person and ask questions about local voting rules. Personal contact helps people feel informed and ready to participate.
When registration is simple and accessible, more citizens complete it on time. Early outreach helps communities prepare for both in-person and online elections.
2. Expand Logistical Access With Early In-Person Voting
Once registration is accessible, the next challenge is getting people to the polls. Many eligible voters want to take part but face long lines, limited hours, or transportation issues on election day.
Early in-person voting solves these problems by giving people more time to cast a ballot.
When voters have flexible options, turnout increases. The more days available, the easier it is for citizens to participate.
Early Voting Increases Access and Participation
Some people can’t reach the polls on the final voting day. Work schedules, child care, or health concerns often make it difficult. Early in-person voting lets more people vote ahead of the official voting period.
A report from All Voting is Local compared Michigan and Pennsylvania after the 2024 election.
- In Michigan, more than 58% of voters cast their ballots before election day.
- In Pennsylvania, where early voting was limited, only 27% voted early.
That difference shows how early access encourages participation and supports higher voter turnout. It also reduces pressure on poll workers and shortens lines at polling places.
How Local Governments Benefit from Early In-Person Voting
Early voting makes the voting process more efficient. Election staff can manage ballots in smaller batches, verify voter information accurately, and keep polling locations organized.
Early voting also helps residents prepare. It gives them time to fix registration issues, confirm voting schedules, or arrange transportation.
Early voting supports local election efforts as it:
- Reduces congestion at polling sites
- Improves ballot handling and verification
- Gives voters more time to participate
When local voter turnout rises, citizens feel more represented in decisions that affect their communities. Early access helps make that possible.
3. Increase Voter Engagement Through Education and Outreach
Once citizens can register and access the polls, the next goal is motivation. Many people skip local elections since they don’t see how the outcome affects their daily lives.
Strong civic education and consistent outreach efforts help people see that connection. When voters understand how their choices influence the community, they participate.
Show Citizens Why Local Elections Matter
Most voters focus on national races. They overlook how local offices decide on public safety, taxes, and school funding. Explaining those direct links turns passive residents into active voters.
You can help people see the value of voting by:
- Publishing short voter guides that highlight key issues and candidates
- Sharing election dates and voting options, like mail-in voting and online voter registration
- Using email, texts, and social media to communicate digitally with citizens
When people see how their vote affects their community, they take action and increase participation in future elections.
Reach Every Community With Consistent Outreach
Personal contact drives turnout. Community organizations, campaign staff, and local leaders should speak directly with voters and answer their questions.
Effective outreach includes:
- Sending reminders that confirm polling locations and hours
- Hosting public meetings that explain how to vote
- Partnering with schools, churches, and nonprofits to reach marginalized communities
These actions build trust and show that every vote counts. When voters feel informed and included, they’re more likely to return for the next election.
Build Long-Term Participation
Engagement should continue after ballots are counted. Local governments and campaigns can maintain communication between elections by sharing results with voters.
They can also show how public input influences future decisions and policy changes.
This steady contact strengthens democratic governance and builds lasting trust. Citizens who see progress stay involved, which helps improve voter turnout across election cycles.
How Pulsar Helps Local Governments Increase Voter Turnout
Successful campaigns depend on coordination. Pulsar helps you connect with voters, manage outreach, and track progress in one reliable system.
It combines proven campaign tactics with reliable technology to boost voter turnout and keep citizens involved in the democratic process.
Identify and Reach the Right Voters
Pulsar comes preloaded with a nationwide voter file that helps campaigns target citizens by age, location, and voting history.
You can re-engage voters who missed the last election and focus outreach on communities with lower overall turnout.
The platform supports multiple race types, including city, county, state, and federal offices. Whether you’re running a city council race or a statewide campaign, Pulsar helps you connect with the right voters.
Organize Volunteers and Field Operations
You can connect with volunteers directly through Pulsar’s all-in-one app.
It includes door-to-door canvassing and phone banking tools that simplify coordination. Assign routes, monitor progress, and see updates as they happen.
Built-in GPS tracking and offline functionality keep your team productive everywhere. Volunteers can collect voter data on the go and sync results once back online.
This system makes sure every contact is recorded and every interaction helps you understand voter interest and turnout potential.
Track Results and Adjust Voter Outreach
Accurate data is the backbone of any effective campaign. Pulsar records every voter contact automatically so you can measure progress in real time.
Review reports, track participation, and identify which messages and voter segments improve turnout the most. Use those insights to adjust your outreach strategy before the final voting period.
Pulsar helps you direct volunteers, refine messaging, and focus resources on the areas that generate the highest response rates.
Improve Voter Contact Through Reliable Technology
You can rely on Pulsar’s simple design and dependable performance in the field or at headquarters. The app works on both desktop and mobile devices, helping you stay connected with your team at every stage.
You can use features such as customizable surveys, texting, and polling to reach voters and encourage participation ahead of election day.
These tools support your outreach goals and make civic participation more accessible for everyone you contact.
Use Pulsar to Increase Voter Participation
Over 120,000 campaigns have used Pulsar to reach more than 100 million voters across the country. The platform supports races at every level, from city councils to statewide campaigns.
You can build your own custom voter contact platform in minutes. Choose your campaign level, select your state, and pick your race type. Start with a simple monthly subscription that suits your strategy.
If you need extra features, you can add phone outreach, texting, polling, or modeled data. Everything you need to manage your campaign is in one platform.
Schedule a demo or get a quote to see how Pulsar can help your team increase participation in your community!
FAQs About Increasing Voter Turnout
Why is voter participation important in local elections?
Local elections influence daily decisions about safety, schools, and taxes. When more people vote, communities better reflect the needs of their residents.
Active participation also builds trust in democracy and shows the importance of every individual’s voice.
How can local governments improve overall voter turnout?
You can increase voter turnout by simplifying registration and making voting easier to access. Expand early in-person voting and share election details clearly through multiple channels.
When people feel included in the process, they participate and help support democracy.
Does online voting help increase participation?
Yes. Online voting and digital election tools make it easier for citizens who face time or travel barriers. When voters can register, review election information, or send in mail ballots from home, they feel more involved in their community.
What incentives encourage people to vote?
Simple incentives can motivate citizens to act. Items like “I Voted” stickers or local recognition programs remind people that participation has value.
These gestures create pride and a sense of involvement that keeps voters coming back each election.
