Hi there.
I’m Keiko Agena and I’m going to show you how to write letters to voters with Vote Forward.
Despite everything else on our minds, we know this election is very important.
And one thing that helps me deal with ​feelings of frustration and stress
is to channel those feelings into action.
Which is why I’m not only voting,
I'm also volunteering to make sure everyone else does too.
Vote Forward enables us to write
handwritten letters to voters in key states
who have been historically 
 underrepresented
people of color, young people, and other groups that campaigns often overlook.
Writing letters is effective, fun, and safe
and to maximize the impact
we'll send them out right before election day.
Alright, are we ready?
Great. Let's get to work!
First, head over to votefwd.org to sign up.
Then, look for a confirmation email from the Vote Forward team.
They just need to verify that you're not a bot which may take one to two days.
Okay, let's collect our supplies.
You'll need a pen, ideally blue, and enough stamps and envelopes for each letter.
Envelopes should be standard business size
and you'll also need access to a
printer.
Now, log in to your Vote Forward
dashboard.
You'll be given the option to adopt
5 or 20 voters.
Once adopted, your voters won't be assigned to anyone else, so it is important to follow through,
but you don't have to do them all in one
sitting.
After you've adopted your voters, you can
download and print the letter templates.
Ready to write?
Remember each letter is
personalized for a specific voter so
check the bottom of that letter for the
voter's first name,
and then write it at the top of the letter after "Dear."
Now, write one to three sentences about why you vote.
So this is a chance to get a little creative, a little personal.
Just keep in mind that nonpartisan messages are the most effective with these voters
so avoid writing about a specific candidate or political party.
"I vote because...generations before me have fought so hard for the right to vote. I can't squander it now."
Then, sign your first name and last initial at the bottom of the letter.
Address the envelope with the voter information listed at the bottom of the letter.
That's also where you'll find the return address, which you should include in the
usual spot on the envelope along with your first name and last initial.
Stuff your envelope with the letter, and then you can seal and stamp it,
or wait until you're ready to mail.
Rinse and repeat!
Write the rest of your letters and store them somewhere safe.
Don't forget to log back onto Vote Forward and mark your letters "prepared."
Then, if you're feeling fired up, write more!
As the election draws near, keep an eye out for emails from Vote Forward
announcing the exact date when we'll send our letters.
It'll be sometime in late October.
And on the mail date, send your letters!
Then log back into Vote Forward and mark your letters "sent!"
And finally, snap a picture of your envelope stack and post it, to inspire others to get involved.
Get creative with it -- just make sure there aren't any full names or addresses visible in the photos.
Happy election season!
Thanks for doing your part.
