Letter Writing 101 Toolkit: Build the Climate Vote
Thanks for writing letters to climate voters!
If you haven’t already, request your packet of letters here.
Build the Climate Vote is a people-powered letter writing campaign where volunteers send personalized letters to voters in key races. Personalized letters have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to help get voters to the polls. Plus, it’s fun and easy to do!
As a letter writer, you’ll be part of a network of Greenpeace USA Votes volunteers from across the country participating in virtual letter writing parties, signing up to write letters individually, or going that extra mile in hosting letter writing parties with family and friends.
Follow the steps below or check out this slide deck guide to find out how to request and write letters!
There are 3 ways to write letters:
1. Virtual Letter Writing Training — Join a group of fellow volunteers on Zoom to receive a quick training, then write your letters!
2. Individual Letter Writing — Write letters at your own pace when you’re inspired to do so, just make sure it’s with enough time for voters to receive and act! (Many letter writing volunteers choose this method; we recommend you attend at least one virtual letter writing training first.)
3. Hosting a Letter Writing Party — Once you’re comfortable with the process for requesting letters, invite your friends and family to join you at a virtual or in-person letter writing party!
Receiving your letters
Fill out this letter request form to receive a batch of 30 letters within ~30 mins via email. You can download and print these letters at home or at a local print shop. You can — and we hope you will! — request multiple batches over the course of the campaign, but make sure to complete each batch before requesting more.
Are you a Spanish speaker? We are specifically targeting letters to likely Latinx voters in CA-49 and Arizona. Be sure to request a BILINGUAL letter packet on the letter request form.
Note: All letters for all races contain Spanish, but you only need to write bilingual messages if you request bilingual letters specifically.
Not sure? Email us at gpvotes.vols.usa@greenpeace.org
Can’t print the letters? You can also choose to have a packet of letters mailed to your home. Wait time is 5-10 business days. You will receive an email when your letters have shipped.
Writing your letters
Letters will consist of a short printed script (using tested, highly effective messaging), a scorecard clearly communicating candidate positions, a space for you to handwrite a message, and the voter’s name and address in the bottom footer.
You’ll need:
- Printed letters
- Blank white envelopes
- Stamps (not until later)
- Pens/Markers
Six Easy Steps
- Write the voter’s name at the top of the letter after “Dear…” (voter information will be included in the footer of each letter).
- Handwrite a personal message using the sample handwritten messages below.
- Address the envelope to the assigned voter (whose address is also in the footer of the letter). You can leave the return address blank.
- Fold and seal the envelope and add standard letter postage.
- HOLD ON to your letters until the the official send date, October 25 (see ‘Mailing Letters‘ below)
- Sign up for another event and/or request more letters!
Sample Handwritten Messages
All of the messages below have been shown to be effective in boosting voter turnout. We highly encourage you to use or adapt one or more of these messages and be sure to personalize by signing with your name. Spanish options are included for bilingual letter writers.
I’m writing to you today to urge you to vote and to share my story. I vote in every election because … Please vote on November 5!
We’re counting on voters like you to show up on November 5! Be sure to make a plan to vote by mail or in person. Thank you!
Thank you for being a voter we can count on! I vote in every election because … Be sure to make a plan to vote on November 5!
Thank you for being a voter! When will you cast your ballot in the November 5 election? You can vote early or by mail!
Thank you for being a time voter! Your friends and family may need a reminder to vote. Please ask them to vote on Tuesday, November 5!
I vote because some elections are decided by just a few voters. Voting is the only way for regular folks like us to help decide the future of our country. P.S. Voting is our power!
I vote because I am a fierce believer in our democracy and feel that every voice should be heard!
I vote because I want to have a say in things that impact our future, like the climate. We have a chance to make this happen with this election. Vote!
I vote because I strongly believe voting is a fundamental American right. Voting is also the most important way to participate in our democracy.
Te escribo hoy para invitarte a votar y compartir mi historia. Yo voto en todas las elecciones porque… ¡Vota el 5 de noviembre!
¡Estamos contando con que votantes como tú salgan a votar el 5 de noviembre! No olvides hacer un plan para votar por correo o en persona. ¡Gracias!
¡Gracias por ser uno de los votantes con los que podemos contar! Voto en cada elección porque….. ¡No olvides hacer un plan para votar el 5 de noviembre!
¡Gracias por ser un votante! ¿Cuándo vas a enviar tu papeleta para las elecciones del 5 de noviembre? ¡Puedes votar temprano o por correo!
¡Gracias por ser un votante! Puede que tus amigos y familiares necesiten que les recuerdes que deben votar. ¡Por favor pídeles que voten en la elección del martes 5 de noviembre!
Voto porque algunas elecciones se deciden por márgenes muy pequeños y todos los votos cuentan. Votar es la única manera de que gente normal como nosotros ayude a decidir el futuro de nuestro país. P.D. ¡El voto es nuestro poder!
Voto porque creo firmemente en nuestra democracia y siento que cada voz debe ser escuchada.
Voto porque quiero que mi voz se escuche. Tenemos la oportunidad de conseguirlo en estas elecciones. ¡Vota!
Voto porque creo firmemente que votar es un derecho estadounidense fundamental. Votar es también la forma más importante de participar en nuestra democracia.
Stamps
If you requested stamps from us, we will start mailing those out in October.
If you did not request stamps, but you would like to, fill out this request form. The last day to request stamps is October 10, 2024.
If you have any questions about your stamp request, please reach out to us at gpvotes.vols.usa@greenpeace.orggpvotes.vols.us@greenpeace.org
Mailing Your Letters
Once you’ve written, sealed, and stamped your letters, please DO NOT mail your letters until the official send date. Get out the vote letters are most effective when they are received within one week of the election.
The official send date for 2024 General Election letters is October 25, 2024.
Questions?
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about your letter request or our letter writing program, please email us at gpvotes.vols.usa@greenpeace.org or reach out to us on our Greenpeace USA Votes Volunteer Slack Workspace.