Election Party Planning Guide

Whether you’re planning a rally for your favorite candidate or want to get kids engaged in the democratic process, you can throw an election party to get everyone excited about politics and the freedom to vote.  Here are some tips and ideas to help you all the way to Super Tuesday.

Invitations
Invite everyone with patriotic-themed invitations.  If you have any red, white and blue invitations left over from your 4th of July bar-b-que, use them!  This is the perfect opportunity to use up all of your left over patriotic party supplies.

If you want to design your own invitations, consider printing up sample ballots and using them as your party invitations.

Decorations
Decorate with red, white and blue bunting and swag.  You can attach these fun decorations along the edges of tables, or along banisters.

Line the driveway or sidewalk with red, white and blue luminaries, or stick small American flags along the edges.

Blow up red, white and blue balloons and gather them together in bunches to be placed around the room or attach them to chairs.  You can also drape streamers throughout the area for a festive look.

Dig into kids’ toy chests and find stuffed elephants and donkeys to represent both parties.  Place them on tables or purchase some to give away as party favors.

Hang campaign posters to promote the candidate you’re supporting.  If you can’t find any, create your own using poster board and markers.

Decorate the buffet table with red, white or blue tablecloths and hang bunting or swag around the edges. Place red, white and blue tableware at the head of the buffet table.

Use patriotic hats as centerpieces.  Turn them upside down and fill them with patriotic novelties, toys and candy for a fun patriotic decoration the whole table will enjoy.

Games
If you’re having a classroom party, set up voting booths and encourage kids to cast their votes.  Count the votes and announce the winner.  You can also use this time to elect a classroom government or student council. 

Organize a trivia contest with fun facts about elections and politics.  This can be fun for adults and a learning experience for kids.  Don’t forget prizes for the winner!

Get a copy of the current citizenship test and have everyone fill it out to see who gets the best score.  The person with the highest score gets a prize.  Consider also making a “Citizen of the Year” award for the winner.

Party Favors
Hand out red, white and blue leis to guests as they arrive at the party.   

Give each guest a patriotic hat to wear during the party.  You can use hats as prizes for your games, too.

Fill small hats with patriotic goodies and place them on a table for guests to take home as small gifts.

Hand out red, white and blue glow jewelry to guests. 

Need more party planning help?  Use our Party Planning Timeline to help you stay on schedule.