ready, set, register nonprofit voter registration

READY, SET, REGISTERNONPROFIT VOTER REGISTRATION

Presented by

ABOUT US

About

Nonprofit VOTE partners with America’s nonprofits to help the people server participate and vote. We are a hub for nonpartisan voter engagement resources for the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit VOTE is a partner of the National Association of Secretaries of State for the nonprofit sector.

Find more about our mission and partners on our website: www.nonprofitvote.org

TODAY’S PRESENTERS

WhoJulian Johannesen

Director of Research and Training

Nonprofit VOTE

Rebecca GorrellProgram Director

Colorado Participation Project

AGENDA

Agenda

Why Voter Registration & Why Nonprofits

Nonpartisan Guidelines Making a Plan Doing Voter Registration

• In 2012…– 220 million Americans were eligible to vote– 51 million were not registered– 24 million needed to update their address*

*http://www.pewstates.org/uploadedFiles/PCS_Assets/2012/ Pew_Upgrading_Voter_Registration.pdf

THE OPPORTUNITY

PreparingFor 2012

• Registered voters vote! Especially in high profile elections like presidential elections, when 9 in 10 registered voters will vote

• Voter registration is the first step on the road to becoming an active and engaged voter

• Registered voters are more likely to join neighborhood activities, contact elected officials and be active citizens*

*http://www.civicyouth.org/civic-engagement-among-registered-voters- and-non-registered-eligible-citizens

WHY VOTER REGISTRATION

Why VoterRegistration

Longer term benefits to your organizations and your community:• Get the Attention of Candidates• Build Community Clout• Foster Community-Based Leadership

WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED)


In our recent report “Can Nonprofits Increase Voting,”* we show that when nonprofits help their clients and constituents to register to vote:• Clients defy expectations to turn out at a higher rate

than those in the general public: 74% vs. 68%• Disparities in turnout by race/ethnicity, age, and

income are reduced or eliminated.

*http://www.nonprofitvote.org/evaluating-the-impact-of-nonprofits-on-voter-turnout.html

WHY NONPROFITS


NONPARTISAN GUIDELINES

Nonpartisan

Guidelines

THE BASIC GUIDELINE

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization MAY NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations MAY engage in nonpartisan:

• Voter Registration• Voter Education• Get Out The Vote Efforts

Nonpartisan

Guidelines

When registering someone to vote:• You may not suggest that they join a particular

political party • You may explain the consequences of registering

without party affiliation • You may direct people to the internet or other

resources to learn more about the parties

GUIDELINES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

NonpartisanGuidelines

Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (aka “Motor Voter”) requires states to designate agencies offering the following services as voter registration sites:• SNAP, Medicaid, SCHIP, WIC, and TANF

The NVRA also requires that states designate some other agencies as voter registration sites, namely:• State-funded programs for people

with disabilities

THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT


In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, on October 1st 2013 many community health centers and other social service agencies will begin:• Enrolling clients in new, government subsidized

health care plans, available through state or federal Health Exchanges.

• Enrolling clients in Medicaid, in many states under expanded Medicaid coverage.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT


In some states, organizations assisting with enrollment will be required by the NVRA to offer clients the opportunity to register to vote at time of enrollment.Whether you’re required to or not, the ACA offers an incredible opportunity to help register tens of millions of people, during the enrollment period.

NVRA AND ACA ENROLLMENT


MAKING A PLAN

Making aPlan

Getting Started Knowing the Rules

• Voter registration is an important service – Many of your clients will need to update their

registration often, but at the same time, have few opportunities to do so.

• Promote voter registration– Use your communications, events, classes to

announce the voter registration deadline, etc.• Conduct a voter registration activity

– Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration as part of services, trainings or events

GETTING STARTED

Making aPlan

• What to expect when starting out:– Updating an address on a registration is just as

important as registering for the first time– Be prepared if someone tells you they are already

registered. This is why it is useful to combine registration with other activities like promoting your services or an event.

GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED)

Making aPlan

• When planning your efforts keep the following in mind:– Designate a staff person to take the lead– Gain buy-in from the executive director and staff– Target types of activities and when and where– Connect with your local elections officials

GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED)

Making aPlan

• Voter registration deadline– EDR

• Voter registration eligibility requirements– People with a past felony conviction– Age

• Pre-registration

KNOWING THE RULES

Making aPlan

http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state

• People experiencing homelessness

• Survivors of domestic violence

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Making aPlan

DOINGVOTER REGISTRATION

When and Where to Do It Getting and Returning

Forms Training Staff and

Volunteers Promoting Your Efforts

Doing VoterReg

• Registration Drive: Conduct registration over a week or a month

• Single Day: Focus on a single day, like a weekend or special event

• Closer to the Deadline is Better: The best time to do voter registration is in the couple of months leading up to the registration deadline in your state.

WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION

Doing VoterReg

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAYwww.nationalvoterregistrationday.org

• At your agency : – As a part of services:

Integrated into intake or other interactions with constituents

– Tabling: In your lobby

WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION

Doing VoterReg

• Outside your agency:– At events: A citizenship

ceremony, a community festival– In your neighborhood: A highly

trafficked location like a transit stop or shopping area

WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION

NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not always effective when registering voters.

Doing VoterReg

• Getting voter registration forms– Local elections office

• Returning voter registration forms– Turnaround time– Retaining information for GOTV

GETTING AND RETURNING FORMS

Doing VoterReg

• Provide training for staff and volunteers on:– Answering frequently asked

questions about the voting– Answering questions about

the voter registration form– Filling out the voter

registration form

TRAINING STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

Doing VoterReg

• Frequently missed items– Eligibility check boxes– ID number– Date of birth– Party affiliation– Signature and date

HELPING COMPLETE THE FORM

Doing VoterReg

• Create a display in your agency using signs, posters, decorations

• When interacting with clients, let them know they can register to vote in your agency!

• Use your communications like your website and newsletter

http://www.nonprofitvote.org/order-the-register-to-vote-poster.html

PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION

Promote!

• Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org

RESOURCES

Resources

MORE RESOURCES

Resources

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[email protected] (8683)www.nonprofitvote.orgNonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111

Rebecca [email protected]

Julian [email protected]

ready, set, register nonprofit voter registration

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