1) Contact your local CAIR-DFW chapter to join your efforts.

2) Gather a reliable core team.
Gather two to four members of the community to help coordinate the drive.

3) Choose the date and time and location of the event.
Eid festivals and Jumaah prayers are excellent opportunities. Clear your event with those in charge of the location. Make sure that the timing is convenient and fits into the normal schedule of the community. It is always recommended that you keep in mind that you are serving your community: make registering to vote easy for them. Do not expect them to come to you.

4) Call or visit your state election office for materials to be used in your voter drives.
The rules change from state to state. In many states the Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing elections and information can be found on his or her website. Perform an internet search for “state board of elections” along with your state’s name, or simply look up the phone number. Many states will give you forms to have filled out (make sure you ask for the proper method of returning the completed forms), others require attending a short, simple certification course. Make sure that you request enough registration materials. Alternatively call CAIR and ask for assistance. Also, ask CAIR for free copies of the wallet-sized “American Muslim Civic Pocket Guide.” These can be given away during your drive.

5) Get the Answers to Some Basic Questions.
The following questions are common from people registering to vote, ask the Elections Board representative for the answers: Who can register to vote in the state? Do I have to register by political party? Do I have to re-register if I move? When is the latest I can register for the next election? Do I have to re-register for each election? Where do I vote? When can I expect my voter registration card to arrive?

6) Inform the community about the drive.
Announce it in advance, perhaps by hanging fliers in local mosques. Ask mosques to announce the drive at Jumaah prayers. Call everyone you have in your e-mail and cell phone contact lists and ask them to commit to calling five other people to invite them to register during your drive.

7) Contact the media.
Send a Media Advisory to you local media outlets. Include the answers to what you are doing, when you are doing it, exact street address of where it will occur and a contact name and phone number. Events of this nature are an excellent opportunity to obtain positive media coverage for the community. Call CAIR and ask for assistance with doing this.

8) Conduct the drive.
Make sure you have read all the form’s instructions carefully, and help people in filling out the form. Do not be shy. Approach people and ask if they are registered to vote. Call attention to your effort. At the very least you will need: pens, clipboards and signs announcing that people can register to vote.

9) Keep track of how many voters you have registered.
Please e-mail info@cair-dfw.org and tell us how your drive went (What worked? What did not? What advice would you give others? Your experience will benefit future drives) and how many voters you registered.

10) Return the completed forms.
Completed voter registration forms should be sent or dropped off at your state election office.