Election Rapid Response: Public Messaging

Find guidance on setting up your response network here.

As we prepare for Election Day and things are happening quickly around us, the League of Women Voters will continue to remain one of the most trusted organizations for voters. That means our tone as we convey information must be calm. We know the media will lean hard into any chaos or confusion around the elections. It is our job to ensure voters have the information they need, and, most importantly, to stop the spread of any misinformation.  

Stay calm and verify claims before commenting on anything publicly. 

Should there be an instance of violence or trending voter suppression issues, refer to the protocol below so that the LWVUS communications team can work with you on a response message. It’s important to coordinate this message together because LWVUS may have more information to provide, or if the issue requires litigation it may affect what we are able to say publicly. 

For more press relations best practices, take a look at our local League media training. 

Rapid Response Messaging Protocol 

For individual or isolated issues, such as a voter who lost their ballot or needs individual assistance, help voters use the Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE), 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español), 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance), 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic). 

If there is any violence at polls in your community such that law enforcement is involved or emergency medical services are required: 

• First, get to safety and call 911.

• Then, call your state League contact and inform them of what you know.
  Your state League can raise the incident to their contact at LWVUS, and we will get in touch immediately to provide support and messaging guidance.

• If press ask your League for comment, tell them that any statement on the incident will come from LWV of the United States.
  The LWVUS communications team will work with your local League to deliver a joint message to the press.

If there are incidents preventing people from voting in your community, such as technical failures of voting equipment or voter suppression or intimidation: 

• First, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE to report the incident.

• Then, call your state League contact and inform them of what you know.
  Your state League can raise the incident to their contact at LWVUS, and we will get in touch immediately to provide support and messaging guidance.

• Any one incident could be part of a wider trend, so the LWVUS communications team will strategize with your League on the right message to deliver to press.

If there are incidents misleading voters in your area, such as text messages directing them to the wrong polling place: 

• First, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE to report the incident.

• Then, call your state League contact and inform them of what you know.
  Your state League can raise the incident to their contact at LWVUS, and we will get in touch immediately to provide support and messaging guidance.

• The LWVUS communications team will strategize with your League to help develop a message and strategize about the best channels for delivering it.