TurboVote offers personalized guidance and support for voters, and directs them to the right resource to get registered— whether their state offers an online registration tool or registration by mail.
Discovery
Users can access Register to Vote through multiple pathways, ensuring help is available whenever they need it:
- By tapping “Register to Vote” from your TurboVote homepage or embedded voting hub
- From a link to your Register to Vote form on your destination site
- From a link to your embedded Register to Vote form on your website
- From state voting hubs
Existing users visiting personalized Voting Hubs and Election Guides will also be shown prominent links to get registration support.
How It Works
To help users register to vote, TurboVote collects essential information to provide personalized guidance:
User Information Collected:
- First and last name
- Preferred first name (optional—used in all TurboVote communications)
- Address (with campus location dropdown for university partners)
- Date of birth
- Email and/or SMS number (at least one required)
Registration Pathways
Based on the user's state and preferences, TurboVote provides their registration options:
Online Registration (where available)
If the user's state offers online voter registration, TurboVote:
- Explains eligibility requirements (some states require state-issued ID)
- Provides a direct link to the state's official online voter registration system
- Offers guidance on navigating the state portal
- Reminds users to confirm submission before closing their browser
If the user is ineligible for online registration or chooses not to use it, TurboVote automatically offers the paper registration option.
Paper Registration
For users registering by mail or in states without online registration, TurboVote:
- Pre-fills the National Voter Registration Form with information the user provided
- Generates a downloadable PDF of the completed form
- Provides the mailing address where the form should be sent
- Includes any state-specific instructions for completing the form
- Reminds users to add required information not collected by TurboVote (such as ID numbers)
Note: If your partnership includes TurboVote Mailings, users requesting paper registration assistance can choose to have TurboVote mail them their form along with a stamped, addressed envelope—eliminating the need to find a printer, envelope, or stamp.
Final Step: "Almost Done"
The final page of the Register To Vote experience provides a clear summary of next steps based on the user's chosen registration method:
For online registration users:
- Confirmation prompt: "Did you complete the online registration process?"
- Link to state's online registration portal if they didn't finish
- Instructions for paper registration as a backup option
For paper registration users:
- Download link for their pre-filled form
- Submission instructions and mailing address
- Deadline information (if applicable)
- Contact details for local election officials
Both pathways also highlight:
- TurboVote Help Desk information and how to contact voting experts
- Reminder that they'll receive ongoing election notifications
- Important note that signing up for TurboVote is not the same as registering to vote—users must complete their state's registration process
Screenshots of Registration Assistance flow in TurboVote.
Notifications
TurboVote sends automated notifications to support users throughout their voter registration journey, ensuring they have the information and forms needed to successfully register to vote.
Welcome Notification
Timing: Immediately after completing the TurboVote registration assistance flow
Who Receives It: All users who request help with voter registration
Purpose: Provide immediate confirmation and ensure users have all necessary materials
All users receive a welcome notification via SMS and/or email (based on their preferences). The message reproduces key information from their signup process and includes any necessary forms, ensuring users can access everything they need even after closing their browser.
Welcome notifications include:
- Instructions to check registration status
- Link to return to TurboVote if they aren't registered
- Reminder about future election notifications
- Help Desk contact information
Additional custom content based on preferences indicated on signup:
Online Registration Users:
- Reminder to complete registration on their state's online portal
- Link to state's online voter registration system
- Backup instructions for paper registration if online system has issues
Paper Registration Users:
- Pre-filled voter registration form (attached to email, linked in SMS)
- State-specific completion instructions
- Mailing address and deadline information
- Alternative options (library printing, contacting local officials)
Users who opted into TurboVote mailings (when applicable):
- Instructions to watch for TurboVote mailing
- Form completion and submission guidance
- Digital copy of form for records (physical copy arrives within a week)
Users who indicated to TurboVote they plan to vote by mail (with upcoming elections):
- Ballot request form (attached to email, linked in SMS)
- Form completion and submission instructions
- Ballot request deadline information
- Status checking guidance
Note: Users may receive combined content if they selected multiple options (e.g., online registration + vote by mail).
Follow-Up Notification
Timing: 10-14 days after initial signup/welcome notification
Who Receives It: Users who requested assistance with voter registration (online or paper)
Purpose: Ensure users successfully completed their registration process
The content of the follow-up message is customized for each user based on their address and election calendar:
User has no upcoming elections:
- Instructions to check registration status (online portal or phone)
- Registration completion guidance if needed
- Reminder that local elections happen frequently
- Help Desk contact information
User has an upcoming election with time to register:
- Election name and date
- Registration deadlines (paper and online)
- Status check instructions
- Registration completion guidance if needed
User has an upcoming election but the registration deadline has passed:
- Notice that deadline has passed for current election
- Information about Election Day registration (where available)
- Encouragement to register for future elections
Embed on Your Site
Make voter registration a seamless part of your website experience by embedding TurboVote Registration Assistance directly into your website.
Integration Options:
- Register To Vote Form: Embed just the registration form for a streamlined experience, ideal for pages where you provide your own context about why registration matters.
- TurboVote Homepage: Directly embed the TurboVote homepage on your website which includes a prominent link to Register to Vote.
-
Custom Integration: Work with your technical team to integrate TurboVote registration support into existing user flows, such as:
- Employee onboarding portals
- Student orientation modules
- Membership signup processes
- Required annual training platforms
Implementation Tips:
- Strategic Placement: Feature registration tools prominently on high-traffic pages, especially during peak registration periods
- Context Matters: Surround embedded tools with messaging about why registration matters to your specific audience
- Track Performance: Use embed transport URLs to measure which pages drive the most signups
- Promote Consistently: Don't just embed and forget—actively drive traffic to your registration pages through email, social media, and other channels
Learn more about embedding TurboVote on your website.
User Data and Insights
The TurboVote Admin Console Dashboard provides comprehensive metrics about registration assistance engagement:
Top-Line Metrics:
- Total Signups Through Register To Vote: Users who signed up to get help registering to vote from TurboVote which directed users to their state’s online voter registration site or helped them pre-fill a paper form.
- Active Users: Number of users currently subscribed to receive election reminders
State-by-State Analysis:
- View registration assistance signups by state to understand geographic reach
- Filter data by date range to track campaign effectiveness
- Compare registration assistance signup activity across different time periods
Referral Code Performance:
- Measure which campaigns drive the most registration activity
- Compare effectiveness of different promotional channels
- Attribute signups to specific outreach efforts
Important Considerations:
Remember that TurboVote provides registration assistance—only election officials can officially register voters. The metrics show users who requested help, not confirmed registered voters. Encourage users to verify their registration status with their state.
Access detailed information through:
- Admin Console Dashboard: Real-time aggregate metrics and visualizations
- User Export: Individual-level data for deeper analysis (available to eligible partners)
- TurboVote API: Programmatic access to user data for custom integrations
Promotion Ideas
Why It Matters
Voter registration is the essential first step in civic participation—without it, everything else becomes impossible. Yet only 73% of US citizens aged 18 or older were registered to vote in 2024. Voter registration requirements and deadlines vary by state, and the simple challenge of navigating unfamiliar bureaucratic processes can stop millions of people from participating in democracy.
Registration barriers don't affect everyone equally. First-time voters, people who've recently moved, people with a low-income, those with limited English proficiency, and individuals experiencing housing instability face the highest obstacles. Year-round registration promotion—not just before major elections—is a critical way to ensure your audience has the information they need to participate regardless of life circumstances. Plus, early registration leads to higher turnout: voters who register well in advance have time to research candidates, build voting plans, and develop confidence in the process.
TurboVote's guided voter registration support meets users wherever they are—whether they need help navigating online registration, require a pre-filled paper form, or simply need clarity on their state's specific requirements.
Best Practices
There are a variety of flexible options to share Registration Assistance with your audience that can fit into your communications plans.
Register To Vote Form: Users enter their information and receive personalized registration guidance.
- Embed the registration form directly on your website (example)
- Link to your destination site: [yourURL].turbovote.org/register-to-vote/voter-info
TurboVote Homepage: Users can access registration assistance from your TurboVote hub.
- Embed the homepage directly on your website (example)
- Link to your destination site: [yourURL].turbovote.org
Pro Tips:
- Use referral codes in your links to track which campaigns drive the most registrations
- Connect registration to issues your audience cares about
- Emphasize how quick and easy the process is with TurboVote's guidance
- Remind recently moved individuals to update their registration
- Promote year-round, not just before major elections
Messaging and Graphics
Check out the 2025 Local Elections Toolkit for graphics, sample social posts, and email templates to promote voter registration.