every vote counts! voter engagement basics for nonprofits september 14, 2010

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!VoterEngagement BasicsForNonprofits

September 14, 2010

Presented by

Democracy NC

Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network

N.C. Center for Nonprofits

AgendaI. Why voter engagement is importantII. Voting basicsIII. What 501(c)(3) nonprofits can and

can’t doIV. Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be

involvedV. Resources to make it easy

Why Voting?• Stronger and healthier communities• People who vote are more likely to

volunteer, advocate, or be active in civic life of their communities• Public policies that represent our

communities

Voter Turnout in the 2006 Midterm Election

Why Nonprofits?• Nonprofits can reinforce that voting is

safe, easy, and important• Size of our sector• Trust of our communities• Access to underrepresented populations•We’re nonpartisan

YOU are the Trusted Voices in Your Communities

Voting Basics• November 2: Election Day• Poll hours: 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.• October 8: General election registration

closes• October 14-30: Early voting and same-day

registration in every county• October 26: Deadline to request absentee

ballot. They must be postmarked by November 2.

Voting Basics• Voter Registration

Surge in 2008, but 1 million still unregistered Pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds Rights of former felons Foreclosure and residency

Voting Basics• Early Voting: All-Purpose Solution

Update registration Register for first time Solve problems related to moving, etc. Organize turnout

Voting Basics• Instant runoff voting• Provisional ballots• Get Help Voting phone numbers

N.C. Board of Elections866-522-4723

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials(NALEO)888-VE-Y-VOTA

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

The IRS places only one restriction (or opportunity) on nonprofits doing voter engagement work…

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party. That means no endorsements or rating of candidates.

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

What CAN you do?•Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan

voter engagement activities designed to educate the public and help them participate in elections Voter registration Voter education Get out the vote (GOTV) Host a nonpartisan candidate forum or

candidate questionnaire

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock.

Hint:Don’t use any of your nonprofit’s resources for this

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

What CAN’T you do?•501(c)(3) nonprofits can’t

Endorse a candidate Make a contribution to a campaign or

political party Rate candidates Offer resources to candidates unequally

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

• Some gray areas Candidate appearances at nonprofit events Use of your mailing list or office space by

candidates Candidates serving on your board Issue advocacy immediately before the

election

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be involved

• Voter registration• Get Out The Vote• Voter education

Voter Registration• Publicize and promote voter registration

deadlines and how-to’s • Announce registration deadlines at events, in

newsletters, in e-blasts, or on your website• Talk about registering to vote at staff or board

meetings. Ask new staff if they are registeredto vote.• Put up posters advertising voter registration

deadlines, along with where to get and return voter registration forms

Voter Registration• Conduct In-House Voter Registration

Train staff members who have direct contact with community members

Assign a staff member to plan and direct voter registration activities

Make voter registration forms available and offer voter registration to new clients at intake

Designate a staff person to promptly return forms to your Local Election Office

Voter Registration

Promote the when, where, and how of voting

Voter Education• Promote the message that “Your Vote

Counts!”• Give out voter registration forms and

sample ballots• Put up a poster in your lobby• Give out voting information cards• Give out candidate guides• Be a resource for questions

Get Out The Vote(GOTV)

• Principles of GOTV Make it personal Get voters the help they

need Turn up the (nonpartisan)

volume

GOTV• Create Visibility

The election should be visible to everyone who walks into your organization or attends any of your trainings or events

Put up Vote November 2 signage Announce or discuss at meetings, events,

classes, etc. Encourage media to promote the election and

where voters can find help

GOTV• Provide Help – In a Nonpartisan Way!

Orient staff to answer basic election questions or where to get help

When providing services, ask people if they’re planning to vote and if they need help

Help people vote early – 1 out of 3 voters are early voters

Advertise rides to the polls or where to get help – but in a nonpartisan way

Call a list of your constituents about voting

GOTV• On Election Day

Allow and encourage your staff to do nonpartisan get out the vote activities on election day

Ask everyone you connect with if they’ve voted or need help voting

Put up big “Vote Today” signs with a number to call or place to go for help

Have an election day party!

Resources to Make It Easy• “A Voter Participation Starter Kit” – free

at www.nonprofitvote.org• Posters – available at the 2010 Conference & Public

Policy Forum: www.ncnonprofits.org/conference.asp• Voting Information Cards –

www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010electioncards.pdf

• Candidate Guides – statewide: www.ncvoterguide.org• Websites

1) www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010election.asp2) www.ncelectionconnection.com3) www.nonprofitvote.org

Presenters

• Bob Hall (sprc@mindspring.com)Executive Director, Democracy NC

• David Heinen (dheinen@ncnonprofits.org)Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, N.C. Center for Nonprofits

• Sally Migliore (smigliore@ncnonprofits.org)Director for Collaboration and Training, N.C. Center for Nonprofits