getting started: nonpartisan voter engagement for nonprofits presented by
TRANSCRIPT
Getting Started:Nonpartisan Voter Engagement
for Nonprofits
Presented by
ABOUT US
AboutUs
Founded in 2005, Nonprofit VOTE partners with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote.
We are a leading source of nonpartisan training, materials and other resources for nonprofits doing voter engagement work.
Find out more about our mission and partners on our site www.nonprofitvote.org
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Who
Lindsey HodelNational Field Director
Nonprofit VOTE
Erika AnthonySenior Director of Advocacy,
Policy & ResearchCleveland Neighborhood
Progress
• Our voices are not being heard• Voter engagement and advocacy work go together• Nonprofits have unique access and assets• When we do this work, we are extremely effective!
WHY VOTING MATTERS
Why This Matters
• Mayoral elections: More than 600 cities and towns across the nation will hold mayoral elections
• Ballot questions: Hundreds of measures will appear on the ballot this year
• Increased impact in off year elections
• The importance of local elections to nonprofits
OPPORTUNITY 2015
Opportunity
• Who has local elections this year?
POLL QUESTION LOCAL ELECTIONS
AGENDA
Agenda
Being Nonpartisan Getting Started with…
Planning Voter Registration Voter Mobilization
Resources
BEING NONPARTISAN
THE ONE RULE
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party.
A 501(c)(3) may not:• Make an endorsement• Donate money or resources
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/nonprofits-voting-elections-online/
Nonpartisan
WHAT NONPROFITS CAN 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)• Candidate Engagement
Nonpartisan
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/staying-nonpartisan.html
GETTING STARTEDWITH…
PLANNING
• Designate a Staff Lead: Choose a staff lead, someone who will be the point person for your voter engagement work.
• Establish Buy-In: Get buy-in from your Executive Director, senior staff and front line staff.
STEP ONE: ESTABLISH BUY IN
Step 1
Face to face and one on one interactions are proven to be the most effective ways to influence people• Engaging your staff• Programs and Points of Contact: At your agency, at
events, or in your neighborhood
• Services or classes to target• Special programs or events: A graduation, a
community festival, a citizenship ceremony, etc.
STEP TWO: TARGET ACTIVITIES
Step 2
• Identify staff and volunteers who will be involved
• Get riled up! Provide a rationale for the work
• Initial training: Make sure they have the skills they need.
• Ongoing training and support: Periodically review with staff what they need to know, provide materials and resources
STEP THREE: STAFF UP AND TRAIN
Step 3
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2013/12/2015-voter-engagement-timeline.pdf
2015
CH
ECKL
IST!
VOTER REGISTRATION
• When: Ramp up your activities as you near the registration deadline.
• Conduct a pilot of your registration efforts
• Keep in mind:– Some are already registered– Updating an address or name is
just as important as registering for the first time
PLANNING A REGISTRATION DRIVE
VoterReg
• Tablers should engage clients and encourage them to approach the table. Stand up and greet people!
• Use decorations, candy, or other freebies
TIPS FOR ACTIVE TABLING
VoterReg
• Table during the weeks leading up to registration or other deadlines
• Table during peak traffic hours for your org
• Other staff need to get involved, encourage patients to vote and refer them to the table
• Combine voter registration with another activity
• Updating an address is just as important. Always ask ”Have you moved recently?”
KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
• Learn about registration in your state– Registration deadline– Online option? – Special requirements?– Eligibility for ex-offenders– Registering homeless voters– Address confidentiality
• Contact your local election officials
REGISTRATION IN YOUR STATE
Voter Registrat
ion
Nonprofit VOTE’s Voting in Your State Tool: www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/
Fair Elections Legal Network’s Voter Registration Guides: www.fairelectionsnetwork.com/resources
• Nonprofit Votes Count is a nonpartisan, national campaign to ensure the staff and volunteers of America’s nonprofits are registered to vote – because democracy depends on the participation of all, including the nonprofit sector.
• Stay tuned for more:
– Website will launch in mid June
– Introductory webinar on June 18th
NONPROFIT VOTES COUNT
GetStarte
d
• September 22nd is National Voter Registration Day!– www.nationalvoterregis
trationday.org/– www.celebratenvrd.org
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
VoterReg
NVRD!
GET OUT THE VOTE/ELECTION DAY
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
• Make it personal: Personal contact works best
• Create urgency around your issue or the impact of the election
• Raise the volume as Election Day approaches. That’s when people are most tuned in
GOTV
TWO KINDS OF VOTER EDUCATION• Education on the process of voting
– Inform clients and constituents of the date of the election, polling place hours, where to get help voting, early voting opportunities, etc.
• Education on candidates/offices and issues–Pass out nonpartisan voter guides or
a sample ballotVoter
Education
• Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency
• Promote Early Voting– When and how to vote early in
person– Help applying for a mail ballot
• Promote Election Day voting– Big push in final week and last 2
days– Remind/offer help voting during
services, at events, over the phone
GET OUT THE VOTE
GOTV
• The Pew Charitable Trust’s Voting Information Project: Pew’s VIP project provides several tools useful to nonprofit staff and clients. – The Voting Information Tool:
https://www.votinginfoproject.org/projects/vip-voting-information-tool/
– White Label iOS and Android Apps: https://www.votinginfoproject.org/projects/white-label-ios-and-android-apps/
– SMS Tool (Available in October): https://www.votinginfoproject.org/projects/sms-tool/
VOTING TOOLS
GOTV
• Give staff time off: To work at polls or do nonpartisan GOTV
• Ask if you voted: Ask everyone if they voted or need help voting
• Celebrate Democracy: Make Election Day special. Have a party.
ON ELECTION DAY
ElectionDay
WWW.NONPROFITVOTE.ORG
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111
Lindsey Hodel
Erika Anthony