---

Pre-election text (or email) messages

Print this page

Tips for using these messages

• Customize the [italicized information in brackets] for your jurisdiction.
• Use (or create) short URLs for links, so it’s easy for voters to see where the link goes.
• Adapt the messages to the elections and voter options in your state..
• Add an image and use these messages for social media. 
• Add a signature to all messages Voters want to know who is talking to them. Identify each message with a signature identifying your office and providing a way to contact you. 

This message is from the [County/City] Election office. Contact us at [555-999-1212] or [elections.name.gov]

7 weeks out: Focus on updating  voter registration

This is a good time to encourage voters to check their registration addresses – before mail ballots and voter guides go out. The civic holiday National Voter Registration Day 2026 is on September 15.

Have you moved recently? Check your voter registration and make sure it’s correct. To update your address, name, or party, go to [voter registration short URL]

6 weeks out: Focus on options to vote by mail

Whether you call them mail-in or absentee ballots, this is a good week to encourage people to sign up early so their ballots go out with the first mailing.

The [State] General Election is on Tuesday, November 3!  Want to vote by mail? Request a [mail | absentee] ballot [now  | by Day, mm/dd/yy] Learn how and sign up at [application short URL]

5 weeks out: Focus on options for voting

Use this week to remind voters about their options for early, mail, election day voting. Highlight any recent changes.  This might also include options for accessible voting, no-excuse absentee, or anything else that’s new. 

You have three ways to vote: Early voting centers are open from  [# am to # pm] [date to date] Request a [mail | absentee] ballot [by Day, mm/dd/yy] Polling places are open on Election Day from [# am to # pm] Visit our website at [short URL] for more information.

4 weeks out: Focus on planning

Voters with a plan are more likely to vote. This checklist is a reminder of what they need to know and do. The Civic Holiday National Voter Education Week 2026 is October 5 – 9

Are you ready to vote on November 3? Make a plan! HOW will you vote? During early voting or on Election Day? WHERE will you vote? Find your polling place, vote center, or ballot drop-off location WHEN will you vote? Pick a date and put it on your calendar! WHO will you go vote with? A voting buddy will help keep your plan. WHAT else do you need to plan?  Childcare, work, transportation? For all the details, go to the [County Elections] website: [mail voting info short URL]

3 weeks out: Focus on what’s on the ballot 

Some voters are barraged with information, while others get little. This is a chance to let them know what’s on their ballot in a nonpartisan way and how to get trustworthy information. Adapt this message to the information available in your jurisdiction. If you send a voter guide, mention it. If not, consider linking to the League of Women Voters Vote411.org or a local nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization.

The November 3 Election is just 3 weeks away. Do you know what’s on your ballot? Get all the information on the contests, candidates, and ballot questions  at [online voter guide link] -or- at [Vote411.org] -or- At [a specific local voter guide]

2 weeks out: Focus on voting early

There is a lot of variation in early voting, so be sure to pick the options right for your voters. If you can create lists of voters who are signed up for a mail ballot or not, you can send separate messages to each group. The Civic Holiday National Vote Early Day is the Tuesday of the second week. The first week also contains the Civic Holiday Election Hero Day – Oct 20, so we’ve added a bonus message to celebrate your poll workers, too.

In person Ready to vote? Made up your mind? Avoid the lines and vote early Early voting centers are open from  [# am to # pm] [date to date] You will vote a ballot and cast it at the scanner. [You can vote at any vote center in the scanner | rules in your jurisdiction] Find a vote center near you at [map or finder tool short URL] Mail Ready to return your ballot. Return it right to the election office. No stamp needed.  – At our secure drop boxes – At our election office – At any early voting center Got a mail ballot but want to vote in person? Bring your ballot to any early voting center. Turn in and cast a regular ballot. Find a the best location for you at [page with ballot return options URL] Combined Ready to vote? Made up your mind? Avoid the lines and vote early Early voting centers are open from  [# am to # pm] [date to date] You will vote a ballot and cast it at the scanner. [You can also drop off your mail ballot or turn it in and vote a regular ballot] Find a vote center near you at [map or finder tool short URL] Bonus message for Election Hero Day Did you know that it takes [##] people to run election in [City | County]? Many of them are the [poll workers] who run the [early voting centers and polling places]. They are your neighbors and friends.  When you see them, thank them for being an Election Hero!

1 week out: Focus on returning mail ballots on time

In addition to general reminders to return their ballot in time, voters need reminders that the USPS recommends leaving 7 days for a letter to arrive. Tell them how and where.

Early in the week Haven’t returned your mail ballot yet? Make sure it arrives in time. The US Postal Service recommends allowing 7 days for your ballot to arrive. If you mail your ballot, go into the post office and ask them for a “hand cancellation” postmark. Or, drop if off at any [secure ballot drop box or early voting location] Find one near you at [map or finder tool short URL] Later in the week Haven’t returned your mail ballot yet? Make sure it arrives in time. Drop it off direct to the elections office by [ # pm on November 3] at  – Any secure ballot drop box  – Any early voting location – The county election office  Find one near you at [map or finder tool short URL]

Monday: Last minute reminders

Keep these short. Even better, personalize them. 

Personalized Election Day is tomorrow, November 3  Your polling place is: [ Location name Street address, Town ] [ add ID reminder if needed ] Polling places and secure drop boxes are open from [# am to # pm] Not personalized Election Day is tomorrow, November 3  Polling places and secure ballot drop boxes are open from [# am to # pm] Find your polling place and drop box locations [map or finder tool short URL]

Tuesday: Election Day

Repeat reminders and add any tips for voting. You might prepare some extra messages based on information during the day, for example about lines, or turnout. Alternate or personalize the messages. Don’t encourage people to mail their ballot on Election Day, even if your state accepts postmarks. 

In person voting Good morning. Today is Election Day! Don’t forget to vote. Want to avoid the lines? Mid-morning and early afternoon are usually less busy times at polling places. Polling places are open from [# am to # pm] Find voting locations at [short URL] Mail voting Good morning. Today is Election Day!  Haven’t returned your mail ballot yet? You can drop it off by [ # pm] at  – Any secure ballot drop box  – Any polling place  – The county election office  Find one near you [map or finder tool short URL]

Wednesday – Friday : Focus on progress reporting the results

Voting is over and it’s time to count the ballots. The messages during these days have a lot of variation, depending on how ballots are counted in your city, county, or state, and how fast the counting is going. Pick the messages that match your situation. And visit WhenSomethingHappens.org for more messages for these critical days.

Counting every ballot takes time. Your [election office name] is making sure every valid ballot is counted. Ballots cast on election day are already counted. We are still counting: Ballots [ received | postmarked ] by Election Day In-person same-day registration and provisional ballots The next update will be published on [ Date at Time ]