Volunteer
We need your help expanding the vote in NC! You Can Vote trains and mobilizes volunteers to effectively share information about upcoming elections, help voters to register and understand their rights, and remind voters when and where to cast their ballot.
Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form below to be notified of future opportunities to volunteer with YCV!
Hear from our volunteers
Here’s what our volunteers say about working with You Can Vote!
Creating community leaders
“You Can Vote training, teamwork and camaraderie is outstanding! I enjoy working with others who are passionate like I am about helping people vote.”
“I was changed by this work.”
“The training gave me the confidence to engage voters to help them check their registration, find their polling place and vote.”
“You Can Vote allowed me to achieve my goal of impacting voter registration, education and turnout.”
What’s your favorite voter interaction?
“I helped a new citizen who was excited to exercise her right to vote!”
“I loved working with young people! Students said thank you and were so excited about voting for the first time.”
“I registered a gentleman who finished probation 15 years ago and believed that he could never vote. The astonishment on his face was rewarding.”
“I called a man who had moved and thought he could not vote. Because of early voting I helped him plan to get to the polls to update his registration and vote!”
Organizing, communications and local elections experts
“YCV has an excellent mission, the best voter education materials, overall communications and outreach.”
“This is by far the best and easiest canvass work I have ever done.”
“My team captain was very supportive and the materials were so helpful. This is the most informed I’ve ever been for an election.”
Volunteer FAQs
Volunteers receive training and are always paired up in teams and supported by our experienced staff and volunteer captains! Read our FAQs to learn more.
I want to volunteer with YCV. Where do I sign up?
Attend a YCV training! All volunteers start by coming to a training to learn YCV’s evidenced-based best practices and rules for voter education, registration and mobilization. See the list of scheduled trainings and sign up for any training that is convenient for you.
The training dates listed do not work for me. Can I just show up at an event?
All YCV voter education volunteers must attend a formal training and be re-trained annually. If you don’t see a training that works for you, please keep checking back. We add training opportunities every week.
Can I request a training?
We take requests for public and group trainings. Individuals and organizations can fill out this online form or email us at vote@youcanvote.org to request a training.
We DO NOT accept requests from political parties or candidates and require a minimum of 2 weeks advanced notice.
I already attended a training. Now what?
If you have already attended a training this calendar year, you’re ready to sign up for a voter education & registration event! Visit our events page to see what events we have coming up in your area.
See an event that works for you? Sign up for a shift! YCV volunteers must sign up ahead of time so our event captains know who to expect.
I’m volunteering at my first YCV event. What should I expect?
First time volunteering at a YCV event? All YCV events are led by our staff or a highly trained volunteer captain. YCV volunteers work in teams and do not attend events by themselves.
Your captain will contact you before your event with details including where to go, what time to be there, where to park, and more. Be sure to tell them your t-shirt size so they can bring you an orange shirt. The event captain will provide all necessary booth setup and voter education/registration materials. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring any snacks or water you may need, and don’t forget your YCV shirt! If you’re going to be outside, make sure you dress appropriately for the weather and bring sun protection.
Your captain will review the voter registration process and key talking points with you once you arrive. Be ready to smile, listen, learn, and maintain nonpartisanship while representing YCV. Thanks for sharing your time and energy with us!
Can you come to my job/church/campus/student group and talk about voting?
Yes! Please fill out this online form to let us know the details. Please allow at least 2 weeks prior notice and please note we do not present to partisan groups.
What do you need volunteers to do?
Volunteer roles include educating and registering voters at events, phonebanking, office work, materials prep, fundraising or hosting a fundraiser, providing meals and snacks for our staff/volunteers, and transporting materials to and from YCV locations.
I want to register voters door-to-door in my neighborhood and when I’m out running errands. Can I use your fridge cards and wear my orange YCV shirt?
No. We must know where our volunteers are at all times when they are representing YCV. All YCV events using YCV materials and t-shirts must have a captain, a date, a start-time and end-time. We do not check-out materials and clipboards for volunteers to carry with them. Have an idea for an outreach event you want to help lead? Let us know by filling out our online request form or talking with your local staff member.
Can I buy YCV fridge cards from you to use at my candidate forum or for canvassing for a candidate?
No. YCV does not attend candidate forums or partisan events, and we do not coordinate with candidates or parties. There are publicly available resources and voter education toolkits on our website.
Can you send someone to my precinct meeting/candidate forum/partisan gathering to tell us about YCV?
No. All are welcome to come to a public YCV training, but we cannot attend any political party or candidate events.
I want to drive voters to the polls on Election Day. Are you coordinating that?
YCV does not provide rides to the polls, but other organizations in your area might. Keep in mind, many cities offer free or reduced fare for city buses on Election Day. We will have a listing of organizations available closer to Election Day. Please do not wear YCV shirts or represent YCV while providing rides to the polls or volunteering for any other organization.
I’m from out of state and want to come to NC and volunteer.
We occasionally work with traveling volunteers. Please email vote@youcanvote.org to learn more. If you want to help but can’t make a trip, please consider a monetary donation to help us keep up with demand for print education materials and shirts!
Will you be registering people after the primary?
Yes! We’ll continue all year, every year, with voter registration and voter education programming. We are growing civic engagement across NC and developing lifelong voters and volunteer leaders. Keep an eye on our events page to learn about upcoming voter registration and education events in your area.
I’m worried about election security.
See the State Board of Elections fact page.
I received a mailer to ask me to register to vote. Is this fraud?
Likely not. Many national organizations send mailers to ask voters to register by mail. They are trying to increase voter registration, but it can be confusing for people who are already registered.
Where do I report this voter disinformation or legally questionable information (i.e. texts, social media, flyers, emails, mailers)?
Submit a tip to North Carolina Disinfo Tipline.
Where do I report voter intimidation efforts or problems with voting?
Call the NC voter hotline: 888-OUR-VOTE
