Answering objections to voting

Here are ways you can respond to some of the common reasons people say they don't vote:                     

• "Tired of changing polling places; inconvenient polling place" – Vote by mail or vote early.
  
  
• "Can't find polling place" – Look at your Sample Ballot, or look on the Easy Voter Guide website, or call your county elections office.
  
  
• "Disgusted by negative campaigns" – Many campaigns do not want to increase voter turnout; you play into their hands when you stay home.
  
  
• "Can't read or write very well" – You can have someone help you fill out the registration form and your ballot.
  
  
• "Takes too much time" – Vote by mail and/or choose just to vote on a few things.
  
  
• "I'll end up on jury duty" – The list for jury duty is taken from several places, including the DMV.
  
  
• "Intimidated by the process; don't feel confident" – Take your time, have someone help you.
  
  
• "Afraid to make the wrong choice" – If you make a mistake when you cast your ballot, you can ask for a new one. You can take someone into the polling booth with you, or choose to vote at home and you can take your time with someone to help you.
  
  
• "No interest for politics; Don't care" – What are the issues in your community that you care about? They are affected by voting.
  
  
• "Hard to get adequate information; Voter's guide is overwhelming; Props are not explained" – Use the Easy Voter Guide.
  
  
• "Not registered" – It's easy to sign up if you are eligible. Just fill out the form (or have someone help you) and mail it in. It doesn't even need a stamp! Look on this website to learn where to get a form.
  
  
• "Don't understand the process and the issues" – You can go to the Easy Voter Guide homepage for more information.
  
  
• "No candidate I care about; Don't agree with candidates" – Elections have propositions in addition to the candidates (plus, you can vote against a candidate you disagree with the most).
  
  
• "No childcare" – Take your children to the polls with you (start a good habit early!) or vote by mail.
  
  
• "Can't get away from work" – Vote by mail or vote on the way to or from work (your polling place is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Also, your workplace is required by law to allow you time to go vote.
  
  
• "Friends think voting is stupid" – If they're really your friends, they will respect that you are doing something about the issues you care about.

Click the link to download a copy of "Common Excuses: Why People Don't Vote," a one-page sheet published by the Common Cause Education Fund.