WHEN PEOPLE SAY NO

You'll approach people with your cheeriest smile and ask if they want to register.  Many will be very happy to see you, and almost never will you get a rude response.

Many others will already be registered, but some will just say, "No, I don't want to register and I don't want to vote."  You  won't be discouraged, and many you'll just let walk on by, but sometimes you'll have a chance to say more. 

People give various reasons for not registering and voting. We can’t convince everyone, but here are some common reasons they might give, and some possibly helpful responses.

A. “Voting doesn’t make a difference”

Three races in SC in 2020 were decided by fewer than 10 votes;  elections determine reps who appoint judges, vote on social justice issues like food stamps, make the law.

B. “I might be on a jury”

NO, this is not true—the jury pool in Richland County includes all people with driver’s licenses as well as voters.

C. “I’m too busy”

Remind them of early or absentee voting; lines may be long, but not always, and what they accomplish by voting is worth it. Voting is their responsibility as a citizen.

D. “Voting here is rigged”

It's true that our state is gerrymandered, but see recent court cases re fraud showing that the vast majority of votes are counted accurately and honestly. Votes in SC are audited regularly.

E. “I have disabilities that make voting hard and I don’t trust voting by mail.

Many court cases have shown that voting by mail is honest and effective, but if people want to vote only in person,  there's curbside voting at every poll so they can vote in their car if needed. Also, electronic assistance is available with those who have communication issues (with hearing, seeing, or literacy), and all voters with disabilities can request assistance from anyone but candidates for office.

F. “Voting machines can be hacked”

In SC, there’s now a paper ballot of every vote as backup—it's easy to use and trustworthy.

Some people won't give a reason; possibly they're in a hurry, but could be former felons. This is hard to bring up tactfully, but if they say they can't register and they live in the state and are old enough, you can tell them that former felons can vote if they've completed their sentence. Also, you may find that people have literacy and hearing or sight problems. They can request assistance in voting at the poll.