Get Out the Vote on Election Day
Election Day this year is Tuesday, November 4. In the days and weeks leading up to it, encourage your employees to get interested and involved in the process. Here are suggestions:
Letters
Have your CEO send a letter to your employees encouraging them to vote. Send a letter to each employee's home, and time it to arrive two or three days before Election Day. Below you will find a sample for your use.
Payroll Stuffers
Include vote reminders in payroll envelopes or distribute fliers during the last days of the campaign. Stamp your payroll envelopes with such messages as 'Vote!' or 'Your Vote Counts.'
Candidates' Forums
Host candidates' forums at your company's plants. Invite candidates to your plant so employees can ask questions on the issues that concern them. If you host a forum, remember that under federal law you are required to invite opposing sides to participate. Click here to view sample questions relevant to manufacturing issues to pose to candidates.
Make It an Ongoing Campaign!
Informed, involved citizenship should not be limited to the election year. Build civic interest throughout the year:
- Host a breakfast, lunch or dinner, open to all employees, on 'How Government Works' or on legislative issues of interest to your staff. Invite government officials to speak and answer employees' questions.
- Consider hosting a session of the NAM's Congressional Insight to take your managers and employees inside the political process.
- Conduct a tour of your plant for elected officials or candidates. Introduce candidates to your employees as you walk them through the facility.
- Display a monthly calendar of events in your area. Include notices of elections, school-board meetings, community forums, town-hall meetings and legislative hearings.
- Inform employees of their legislators voting record on key manufacturing issues.
Sample Letter to Company Employees
Dear Fellow Employee:
Its been said that if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself. When it comes to voting, nothing could be more true. If we want to make sure our elected leaders do as we expect them to do, it's up to each of us to go to the polls and exercise our civic responsibility.
That's why we at (name of company) are proud to be participating in the National Association of Manufacturers' Make the Difference ...Vote! campaign. We believe in the democratic process, and encourage our employees to vote in the upcoming election on November 4.
Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities we have as U.S. citizens. It is also our best chance to say how we want to be governed. I urge you to do your part on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 2008.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Title
P.S. [Insert any information on special leave that your company plans to offer on Election Day, or information on rides to polling places offered by non-partisan, non-profit organizations.]
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