In states where voters have to request an absentee ballot, the turnout program starts earlier than most campaigns realize, at the request stage. Before you can chase a returned ballot, the voter has to ask for one, and texting is the most efficient way to drive those requests. It's the earliest, most durable turnout move a campaign can make, because a requested ballot is a supporter halfway to voting.
Why chase ballot requests?
Because it front-loads turnout and locks in intent. A voter who requests an absentee ballot has signaled they intend to vote and chosen the easiest method, which makes them far likelier to follow through than a voter relying on showing up on Election Day. Driving requests early builds a pipeline of probable votes you can then chase to completion, and it spreads turnout across weeks instead of concentrating the risk on one day.
How does texting drive requests?
By making the request easy and timely:
- Explain the option. Many voters don't know they can vote absentee or how, so tell them.
- Link the request. Point to the request form or portal with a one-tap link, removing the friction between intent and action.
- Give the deadline. Absentee request deadlines are early and easy to miss, so create urgency around them.
- Target likely supporters. Use the voter file to focus requests on your universe, not the whole electorate.
How does it fit the GOTV arc?
Request-chasing is the front of a turnout program that runs through ballot return, cure, and the final push. Once a supporter requests and receives a ballot, they move into the return chase; if their ballot is flagged, they move into cure. So driving requests isn't a standalone tactic, it's the first stage of a status-driven sequence that shepherds each supporter from "hasn't requested" all the way to "voted." Start it early, because the request deadline comes first and everything downstream depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
Why chase absentee ballot requests?
Because a voter who requests a ballot has signaled intent and chosen the easiest method, making them far likelier to vote. Driving requests early front-loads turnout and builds a pipeline you can chase to completion.
How does texting drive ballot requests?
By explaining the absentee option, linking the request form with one tap, creating urgency around the early request deadline, and targeting likely supporters from the voter file.
How does request-chasing fit GOTV?
It's the first stage of a status-driven sequence: request, receive, return, cure, and final push. Once a supporter requests and receives a ballot, they move into the return chase. Start early because the request deadline comes first.
Keep reading: GOTV texting in vote-by-mail states and ballot cure by text. For voter tools, see Vote.org.