Vote Like a Woman

Design can save democracy Social Media Challenge -- a partnership with AIGA SF and Vote Like a Woman 2020.

Vote Like a Woman is a nonpartisan campaign to get more women voting in 2020 created to overcome misinformation and confusion about voting in the upcoming election. Together with AIGA SF in hopes of empowering the design community to create and share with the community simplified sharable infographics that contain critical, need-to-know details from reliable sources.

Why it matters

How to actually vote in 2020 elections is complicated:

  • Tricky state voting laws have long tripped people up. Certain states require multiple forms of proof to verify ID while others require specific types of excuses to qualify to vote by mail.
  • The pandemic has changed voting deadlines, dates, and practices.
  • Viral social media posts can contain false information that spreads rapidly and instill confusion and mistrust of the electoral process.
  • How to participate

  • Use the info provided below and sources to create your own social media graphics
  • Size to Instagram/Snapchat stories portrait size (1080px by 1920px) and/or square size (2048 x 2048 pixels)
  • Hashtags: #designsavesdemocracy #aigasf #votelikeawoman
  • Remember that all images need to be nonpartisan in order to use our tags!
  • Email us at govotelikeawoman@gmail.com so we can promote it from Vote Like a Woman and AIGA SF’s social accounts and amplify your images! Tag us @aigasf @votelikeawoman2020

    Choose voting facts & “how-to’s” to design:

  • General 2020 voting info
  • Vote by Mail
  • Know Your Rights
  • Vote in Person (Safely)
  • Facts about women and voting
  • Examples:

    General 2020 voting info

    Fast facts:

  • It’s not just about who gets to be president. There are thousands of decisions Americans will need to make beyond just who becomes president. All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate, and the office of President of the United States will be contested. Thirteen state and territorial governorships, as well as more than 6,500 state legislative seats will also be contested. Source: Wikipedia.
  • Vote early. States often give people the option to vote early. It’s also important to send your mail-in ballot as soon as possible.
  • Get your mail-in ballot in as early as possible. Given slow-down of USPS during the pandemic, give yourself plenty of time.
  • Secretary of state sites are the ultimate source of truth.
  • 80%+ of Americans can vote by mail in 2020. Source: Washington Post.
  • “Make a plan” checklist:

    Source: vote411.org
  • Register to vote. It only takes 2 minutes to register and 40 out of 50 states have it available online. vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote
  • Decide how you’ll vote. Learn about early voting and absentee voting options. See what your and check the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot: vote411.org.
  • Find your polling place. Find out where you can vote in person: vote.org/polling-place-locator/
  • See what's on your ballot. Learn where candidates running for office in your area stand on the issues, and about the ballot measures on your ballot by checking out Ballotready: ballotready.org.
  • Check if you need an ID to Vote. Some states require you bring your ID to vote. See if your state requires an ID at vote411.org.
  • Vote by Mail (Absentee Voting)

    Fast facts:

  • You need to register first. If you’re in the U.S., you must be registered to vote before your state will send you an absentee ballot. Overseas voters and military members have other options. Source:usa.gov.
  • Absentee voting = voting by mail. There’s no difference and this is how the president of the United States votes. Source: Usa.gov.
  • Some states require you have a reason to receive an absentee ballot. Many states consider “the coronavirus” an excuse. Check out details for your state at vote411.org.
  • Take your ID with you. 34 states enforce voter ID requirements as of April 2020. Chec vote411.org for details about your state.
  • Check if you need stamps. Some states require postage on vote by mail ballots. 80%+ of Americans can vote by mail in 2020. Source: Washington Post.
  • There is no evidence voting by mail (absentee voting) causes fraud. Of all recent instances of recorded voter fraud and just 204 reported cases involving the fraudulent use of absentee ballots over the past 20 years. That equates to about 0.00006% of total vote-by-mail votes cast were fraudulent. Source: The Heritage Foundation.
  • Request a vote by mail ballot (way) earlier than the deadline. In 35 states, voters can request ballots so close to Election Day that it may not be feasible for ballots to be mailed and sent back in time to be counted.
  • “How to cast a mail-in ballot” checklist:

    Source: Brennan Center for Justice
  • Check your voter registration. You need to be registered to vote before you can vote by mail.
  • Fill out a request for your state a.s.a.p. to get your ballot on time.
  • Watch for tricky state laws. Your state might need an excuse from you or you may need to submit additional materials, like a copy of your ID.
  • Get up to speed on issues and candidates. A great resource: ballotready.org.
  • Fill out your ballot & sign the envelope. Remember to sign your ballot on the envelope — and sign it so that it matches other things you’ve signed (like your signature on your driver’s license).
  • Don’t forget stamps! Check that you have the right postage.
  • You may be able to drop off your ballot in person. Check vote411.org for details.
  • Know Your Rights

    Source: ACLU
  • Stay in line if polls close. If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
  • Ask for a new ballot if you make a mistake. If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
  • Ask for a paper ballot if the machine breaks. If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.
  • Report problems to the voter hotline. If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
  • Vote in Person (Safely)

    “Vote in person at the polls 101” checklist:

    Source: League of women voters
  • Find your polling place. Find out here: vote.org/polling-place-locator/ Vote at off-peak hours. This means mid-morning or mid-afternoon (not early before work or lunchtime).
  • See what's on your ballot in advance. Learn where candidates running for office in your area stand on the issues, and about the ballot measures on your ballot by checking out Ballotready: ballotready.org.
  • Vote early. A lot of states offer early voting on specific days. Avoid lines! Go to vote411.org for info.
  • Report problems: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español) or 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
  • “Vote safe during the pandemic” checklist:

    Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Vote at off-peak hours. Avoid times where most workers will be voting (like before/after work or at lunchtime).
  • Wear a mask.
  • Stay 6 feet apart
  • Wash your hands or sanitize often
  • Do not touch your face or mask
  • Avoid touching surfaces
  • Facts About Women & Voting

  • 100 years ago American women started to vote under the 19th amendment.
  • 55 years ago The Voting Rights Act protected suffrage for all.
  • In 2016, 1/3 of eligible American women voters (38 million!) weren’t registered to vote.
  • 53% of chronic non-voters identify as women. This is a subgroup of non voters least likely to mobilize and unable to answer questions about the government or hot-button issues.
  • Voter turnout for women lacks inclusion. We are missing the voices of Latina and Asian American women, and younger women (ages 18-24). These three groups are 50% less likely to show up to the polls than other demographics including white and black women voters.
  • Image credit: @votelikeawoman2020