In a city of 50,000 residents, there will be approximately 22,000 registered voters and about 6,000 of them will vote in a non-presidential election like the one that takes place this Nov. 6.  Most local races have a winning margin of 5% to 10%, or 300 to 600 votes.

An HBA with 200 members that makes a real effort to increase voter turnout can account for those 300 or so votes needed to win.  Here’s how:

• 200 members
• 150 Spouses of those members
• 300 employees of those members
• 300 employees of sub contractors and supplier companies
• 50 lawyers, accountants, bankers, etc.

This list adds up to 1000 possible voters that are able to be reached by the local HBA.  If 30% of them vote for the same candidate because of his or her stance on issues important to the building industry, there is a strong chance that candidate will win. Here are a few actions that can be taken to help increase voter turnout of members and their contacts: 

• The week of Oct. 8 send an e-mail or letter from the HBA President to each member and associate member reminding them of the upcoming election.  Include an absentee ballot request form, found online at Secretary of State’s website. 
• Make sure the candidates that the HBA (HBA PAC) supports have a chance to speak to the membership.
• The week of Oct. 22 send an e-mail or letter from the HBA President to each member and associate member reminding them to send in their absentee ballot or go to an early voting booth before the deadline, varies by state.  Also encourage employers to allow employees to fill out ballots or go to early voting booth during an extended lunch break.
• Sunday, Nov. 4 and Monday, Nov. 5 HBA leadership and sponsorship company leadership should make phone calls and send personal emails to members and sub-contractors to make sure they have voted early or will vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Increased voter turnout increases the chance of your candidate winning. Good Luck!

For more information contact Karl Eckhart at 1-800-368-5242 x8126. [ return to top ]