Divaland: You have put in the hard work this season and it is time to celebrate by throwing an election party for the 2024 election. You have been donating to candidates, writing postcards, phone banking, and door-knocking. The majority of us have read every article, listened to every podcast, and our nervous systems are on edge. It is time to take a load off, have a libation, and vote with our friends at an election party.
“But hey Diva—I’m crap at throwing parties!” Well, don’t you worry! You can join our party on October 30th (email us at thediva@teamedivarealestate.com for details). Or you can follow our guide on how to throw an election party in 2024.
Start Here: How to Throw a Party Like a Diva
This video is super vintage but you get the gist!
Make sure you read up about the issues. Check out our voting guide >
Your Guide to Throw an Election Party in 2024
The most important part of throwing an election party is making sure to gather together to celebrate this occasion. Voting is a huge event. You are joining millions of other people across the country to choose a path of who and how we want to be as a country. Do we want to be a country of the people? Or do we want to be a country that benefits billionaires? Do we want to choose joy? Or do you want to choose fear?
Let’s choose joy. And a Diva house party is the best type of joy!
Pre-Work For Your Election Party in 2024 (aka Do Something)
Civil rights and marriage equality did not happen over night. It took decades of work by many different people. Same goes to turning a page on this sham of a MAGA-controlled GOP.
Here is your Election Party prep work:
- Gather The Crew: Text 10 friends and see if they are free on a date that works for you all.
- Find a Location: Your house (aka Diva Dwelling), a restaurant like a/stir on Capitol Hill, or meet up in a friend’s condo entertaining room.
- Choose a Date: Anytime between now and November 3rd. Ballots are due on November 5th.
- Donate: Send some cash to Oath.vote or Sister District and support down ballot candidates.
- Volunteer: Find a phone banking or a door knocking opportunity. And if talking to strangers is not your deal, support someone who is phone banking and/or door knocking. Introverts, we need you to support us extroverts.
Prep For Your ACTUAL Election Party in 2024
A good election party in 2024 requires three things: food, drinks, and good lighting. Do not even get us started about lighting. No one likes an overlit space. Here is what you need to set the vibe for an awesome election party:
Food Prep
A good party can be takeout pizza, salad, and a couple of bottles of good red wine. I am also a fan of doing an old fashioned lesbian potluck. It worked for our elders and it helps to spread the love amongst the people. Or you can go Diva and go all out. At our parties we always have a charcuterie platter, a vegan pasta salad, and some type of meat protein like chicken legs, meatballs, or sausages. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you understand that people want something to nibble on.
Drink Prep
You need three types of drinks at any gathering: non-alcoholic beverages, beer/wine, and a signature cocktail. Obviously, we are on Team Blue aka Democrats. I found this awesome Blue Spritz which is a take on an Aperol Spritz. Consider doing an Aperol Spritz bar or make a punch to serve a big party.
Good Lighting
There is a reason that environment sensitive Gen Z kiddos all have fairy lights and party lights. They know that an overstimulated nervous system needs to create a chill vibe. This election has trashed many of our nervous systems.
Here is our advice: Dim the lights a bit and create a vibe. It is so rough to go to a party where someone has all of the overhead lights blazing. Ugh! Dim the overhead lights and have soft lights at head level.
Bonus and Necessary Items For Your Election Party
You need the items for people to make an informed decision and to fill out their ballots. And you need some grace.
The Essentials
- Pens
- Something to write on aka clipboards or books
- A close-by dropbox for voting ballots
Have Some Grace (To a Point)
Not everyone in your crew is going to vote for the same person to represent City Council Position 8. That’s ok. I have many small landlord friends who are voting for Tonya Woo. We endorsed and donated to Alexis Mercedes Rink. We live in a city with different views. Be informed and asked open questions if it bugs you.
However, if anyone tries to argue with you about the initiatives, the top positions at the state level, and of course the President you gotta shut that stuff down. The best way to do this is to have an informed perspective.
Check out our voter guide here for talking points >
Day of the Voting Party
You have everything you need, you did the prep work, and now it is time to get the party started. First thing first you need to get the mood right. Go ahead and put on Kamala’s Campaign Playlist, dim those lights, and put out the snacks and beverages. Welcome your guests and get people excited!
On Thursday, October 30th, we are hosting our voting party. Send a note if you would like to join us and I will get you the details.
Here is Our Voting Party in 2024 For Democrats Plan
- Food prep: I’m making my vegan pasta salad which is a huge hit. It feeds all of the people. I’m roasting up chicken legs, and making meatballs with sauce. And of course there will be charcuterie!!!
- Libations: There will be non-alcoholic beverages, vino and some champagne. We should be celebrating voting for our first Black/Asian Woman President! What a milestone.
- Materials: We will have clipboards and pens available, and places for people to fill out their ballots.
- Start Time: Around 6:00 PM, and we get everyone ready to vote around 7:00 PMish.
- The Voting: First thing we do is pull up our Voting Guide. We like to go through all of the initiatives, state level candidates, city council, and the one judge positions that has two candidates. Everyone fills out the ballots, signs, and seals their envelopes.
- The Walk: Kim and I live about two blocks from a voting booth. We love walking as a group down to the voting ballot box and getting a group photo of our activities. Remember, people will vote if they see their friends voting.
Speaking about photos, let’s talk:
Take and Post Those Photos
One of the things that was striking for me is that a lot of people did not post their voting photos to the socials in 2016. It was almost like people were embarrassed about the process. There is a ton of studies out there that the more people see people voting the more likely that they will also vote. It is really important that people know that you voted and why you did it.
Don’t be shy about how you are locked in and voting!
Follow Up With Your Friends and Family and Make Sure they Vote
The election doesn’t end when you vote. The largest voting block are registered non-voters. It is all of our jobs to get out there and make sure our friends and family vote. There are HUGE reasons why we need to get out there. The biggest one for our family is body autonomy. For us this means the right for trans kids to exist and for people to have access to birth control, abortions, IVF, and so much more.
What is your reason for voting?
Thank You For Hosting a Voting Party in 2024 For Democrats
It is so great to have you all involved in this election. It is a joy to have this be a big part of our season. Make sure you share your voting photo with us so we can celebrate you making this happen!
