Push out alerts through ballot tracking systems at key moments to support voters through the voting process and highlight upcoming steps. This year, even seasoned voters will be “new voters” navigating unfamiliar voting processes. Using notifications to preview key steps and provide timely reminders can help prepare voters for what’s to come. When mail ballots are out for delivery, send voters a text or email alert that their ballot will be arriving soon. Include a picture of the ballot so voters know what to look for. Push notifications should be a part of all new ballot tracking systems and existing systems can be updated to add this feature.

A common myth about voting by mail is that mail ballots are only counted if races are close. Voters may be susceptible to this false narrative because they lack the visible confirmation that their vote has been cast (which they receive when voting in person). Some ballot tracking software includes capabilities to send voters confirmation when mail ballots are counted, or at least processed, by their election office. In visuals showing the ballot’s journey, include “counted” as the final step to set voters’ expectations and provide the confirmation they need. Consider also including a digital sticker in the confirmation to provide voters with a sense of completion. Make it easy to share digital “I voted” stickers to social media as a cue reminding others to vote, and another way to replicate the in-person voting cue that typically occurs with displaying stickers on clothing.

Leverage the moment voters request a ballot to encourage them to also enroll in ballot tracking systems and receive notifications for each step of the vote-by-mail process. Hard to find sign-up pages for ballot tracking systems can be a barrier for voters. Make it easy by adding fields for email and/or phone on the ballot request form. Default voters into receiving these useful alerts, but voters can opt out by checking a box to show that they would not like to receive notifications. If it’s not possible to integrate sign-up into the form, send a follow-up communication to voters who provide their email or phone and include a tear-off section on request forms with ballot tracking instructions. 

Create a mechanism for voters to alert their local election office (e.g., through SMS or ballot tracking software) when their completed ballots are dropped off or mailed. After dropping off a ballot, people still feel uncertain that their ballot will arrive and be counted. This interactive feature allows voters to take ownership and engage with the process, building a sense of control and trust. The names and responses can be stored, giving election officials helpful data about when and how many mail ballots will arrive. Advertise the reporting feature and the number to text on drop boxes and through existing voter communications.

Officials should proactively invite voters to sign up for ballot tracking. Send email invites to lists of voters collected from voters who opt in to receive updates about elections, voting, or other government services by email. Other channels, such as traditional mailers, may better reach eligible voters that have not signed up for emails, but email is a cost effective channel for engaging a large number of voters. An action-oriented subject line grabs attention and a large button with an embedded link to make sign-up salient and easy. Sending messages from trusted sources, with language and formatting consistent with official branding, demonstrates legitimacy and confers trust. In California, a simple behaviorally-informed email sent by Secretary of State Alex Padilla led to over 250,000 new sign-ups for ballot tracking.