Balloon Juice will be doing postcard and GOTV activism threads as needed. Dates and times have not been set yet.
Overview
– Why write postcards?
– Who can I work with to write postcards to GOTV?
- Postcards to Voters
- Postcards to Swing States
- Activate America
- Center for Common Ground
- Postcard Patriots
- Postcards4VA
- If yours isn’t on here, let us know!
– Where can I get postcards, stamps, etc.?
Why Write Postcards?
Many of us that frequent Balloon Juice feel this upcoming election is vitally important, as Trump and his acolytes are a threat to our democracy and constitutional order.
There are lots of ways to GOTV – if postcarding isn’t for you, that’s fine! Use your energy and skills as you can to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November.
Friendly, handwritten postcards are great for many volunteers for a number of reasons – can do them anytime (including at 2am!), can do way in advance to send closer to Election Day, and are great for introverted people!
There are also some studies that have shown “messages that emphasize civic duty or the importance of making one’s voice heard” (see Get Out the Vote: How to Increase Voter Turnout by Donald Gerber and Alan Green, 2015, pg. 58). This Yale paper also suggests that personalized methods and messaging work better to boost GOTV campaigns.
What Groups Are Doing Postcard Campaigns?
Postcards to Voters
Postcards To Voters (founded by Tony the Democrat):
Mission: “friendly, handwritten reminders from volunteers to targeted voters giving Democrats a winning edge in close, key races coast to coast.”
Motto: “Write on!”
To sign up: send email to [email protected]
You’ll receive info to write a sample postcard, and then you’ll be an approved writer who can request addresses on a schedule of your choosing.
Writers may request 4 or more addresses at a time, via email or Slack. Both options are quick.
Postcards To Voters provides:
- Addresses of Democratic voters.
- Information about the candidate, and guidelines for writing.
- 3 required sentences provided by the candidate’s campaign (plus optional extra phrases).
- 3 business days to write and mail your postcards.
Writers provide:
- Stamps
- Postcards
See below for info on sourcing postcards and stamps.
Postcards to Swing States
They have swing state campaigns and target House district campaigns for November 2024. You can pick a campaign or ask to be given “where most needed.”
Mission: Rally Democrats to vote.
To sign up: Go to the sign up page on their website: https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards
Postcards To Swing States provides:
- Postcards
- Addresses
- Messaging
Writers provide:
- Stamps
These postcards are all written in advance and held for a future mailing date closer to the election.
Activate America
History: Inspired by the millions of people who participated in the first Women’s March, Activate America, (formerly known as Flip the West and Flip the 14), was founded in 2017.
Motto: Together, we can elect leaders who will protect what matters most to us.
To sign up: Go to the sign up page on their website https://www.activateamerica.vote/
Activate America provides:
- Addresses of Democratic voters.
- Guidelines for writing.
- Postcard scripts (they are often long, You may need to get postcards with a fully blank back (eg, image or design on half of the postcard side, with the address half on that same side).
Writers provide:
- Stamps
- Postcards
Center for Common Ground
Goal: Reclaim Our Vote – focusing on communities and voters of color
To sign up: Go to the sign up page on their website: https://www.centerforcommonground.org/postcarding
Center for Common Ground provides:
- Addresses
- Messaging (you must use their exact messaging)
- A regional organizer that they want you to contact
Writers provide:
- Stamps
- Postcards – you must buy or print their postcards!
- Avery labels for specific voting locations
They have data on the impact of their postcard campaigns, going back to 2019.
Postcard Patriots (MazeDancer on Balloon Juice)
To sign up: Go to the sign up page on their website: https://postcardpatriots.com
Postcard Patriots provides:
- Addresses
- Messaging
- Postcard designs that you can download and print
Writers provide:
- Stamps
- Actual Postcards
Postcard Patriots will start up after the convention, so please check back for more information then.
Postcards4VA
Mission: Writing postcards connects with the voter, empowers the writer, and expands scope of activism.
To sign up: go to https://postcards4va.com/
For returning writers: go to: https://addresses.postcards4va.com
Postcards4VA provides:
- Addresses for Democratic voters (currently writing for 6 US House races, 4 of which would be seat flips if the Dem candidate wins)
- Messaging suggestions – Some candidates provide special campaign talking points. When candidates have specific scripts, they will be in the instructions with the addresses.
Writers provide:
- Stamps
- Postcards (they also sell postcards at cost on their website)
Where Can I Get Postcards, Stamps, etc?
Stamp Information
USPS sells stamps through their website, for face value plus a small handling fee. Delivery time is usually quick.
If you are writing postcards but cost of stamps is an issue, send email to WaterGirl at balloon-juice.com. We have stamps available to familiar nyms on balloon Juice.
Stamp Tips:
- Forever postcard stamps are available at Post Offices or online at USPS.
- Lower-value stamps can be combined to equal the postcard rate.
- Internet-based vendors who sell vintage stamps (with glue on the back) in combinations that equal the current postcard rate. Google vintage postcard stamps for sale.
- If you find a “really good deal” on stamps, it’s likely to be a scam.
Sources for Postcards
Some postcard groups supply postcards or require you to order or print a specific kind. Double check with whomever you’re working with before buying or printing postcards.
- Postcards To Voters has a variety of postcards for sale on Etsy.
- Internet vendors that let you create your own cards, such as Vista Print.
- Postcard Patriots (classic designs available now, new designs will be available after the Democratic convention).
- Make your own from card stock: minimum size 3.5″ x 5”, maximum size 4″ x 6”.
- Thrift shops and secondhand bookstores.
- Friends and family who have a postcard stash they’re willing to donate.
Postcard Writing Tips and Ideas
- You can vary pen color on postcards for variety or to call attention to specific points.
- Consider highlighters or markers if you want to add some extra pizzazz to your cards