Voter Education: Methods and Experience
The focus of the voter education program implemented to accompany the voter registration drive
will normally depend on the type of registration method being used. Voter registration through
enumeration normally will require an education program that emphasizes the importance of
home visits by enumerators. It is important to make people aware that election or registration
officials will be coming to their doors, what identification the enumerators will present, and the
significance of the registration drive.
By contrast, when prescribed registration centres are used, or registration by mail, it is essential
that voters are made aware of the requirements for registration as well as the dates and location
of the registration drive. When mobile registration centres are used, it is important to inform
voters of the dates during which the mobile registration centre will be in their vicinity.
In addition, the scope of a voter education drive will depend in part on the country's previous
experience with democratic elections and voter registration. Where there has been a long
tradition of democratic elections, and therefore of voter awareness, then the voter education
program may be more modest in scope. Where important changes to the registration system
have recently been made, however, or where there has not been significant experience with
registration or elections, a more detailed and far-reaching program may be implemented.
Enumeration
Where enumeration is used, the voter education program must identify the dates and hours of
enumeration, particularly since enumerations often take place during relatively brief time
periods. The voter education program also usually entails the use of cards that can be left at
homes where the voter was not present when enumerators arrived. These cards can detail the
procedures that will be used subsequently to register voters. Such follow-up measures can
include return visits or a phone number to call for more information
Another key element of voter education programs for enumeration relates to security. Since
enumerators will be coming to voters' homes, it is necessary to ensure that this opportunity is not
used by imposters posing as enumerators to gain illegal or unwanted access to a home. The
voter education program, therefore, can communicate ways for residents to confirm they are
greeting bona fide enumerators, including the identification that should be carried by
enumerators.
But the security issue can run the other way as well. Adequate precautions must be taken for the
security of the enumerators as well. One of the more common safeguards is the requirement that
enumerators work in pairs. Although this may account for additional cost and due diligence in
finding enumerators who can work together harmoniously, the security benefits for employees of
the election authority are well worth the effort. And after all, registration procedures themselves
may require that two enumerators represent differing political interests.
Registration Centres
All voter education normally emphasizes the importance of citizens' participation in the
democratic electoral process. For registration centres, voter education will emphasize dates and
times for registration and the locations of the centres. Voters need to know what material, if
any, they need to bring to the registration centre, such as proof of identification, proof of address
or proof of citizenship. Additional information may include whether voters can register family
members as well as themselves, or what to do if they cannot visit the registration centre during
one of the publicized times of operation.
Involve the Media
All voter education programs should be designed to involve the major media outlets in
publicizing important information. This may involve a combination of paid advertising and free
public service announcements. Where the only major media outlets are state- or
government-operated, achieving political impartiality may be the consummate challenge. It may
be possible to engage the help and services of community organizations, non-governmental
organizations and political parties in efforts to advertise the importance and logistics of voter
registration. For newer democracies, foreign-based non-governmental organizations may be able
to play a helpful role in voter registration education. In these cases--as well as most--the central
message may simply be, 'You must register to vote.'
