voter engagement basics for nonprofits
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VOTER ENGAGEMENT BASICS For Nonprofits. Presented by. About us. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
VOTER ENGAGEMENT BASICSFor 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 the leading source of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services.
Find out more about our mission and partners on our site at www.nonprofitvote.org
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
WhoJulian Johannesen
Director of Research and Training
Nonprofit VOTE
Ashley HeradCivic Engagement and
Policy DirectorLouisiana Association of Nonprofits Organizations
VOTE NOVEMBER 6TH!
Agenda
• The first election after redistricting!• 50 million more people will vote in 2012 than
did in 2010• 15 million people will vote for the first time
this year
OPPORTUNITY 2012
Opportunity2012
• Advance our mission and our issues
• Increase voting in our communities
• Build clout for the work we do and people we serve
• Get our ideas in front of candidates
WHY VOTING?
Opportunity2012
WHY NONPROFITS
• Trust and Respect in our communities
• Access to underrepresented populations
• Interest in positive role of government Opportunity
2012
AGENDA
Agenda
Getting Started Being Nonpartisan Voter Registration Voter Education Working with Candidates Ballot Measures Get Out The Vote and Election Day Resources
GETTING STARTED
• Get buy-in from your Executive Director or program manager
• Choose a staff lead, someone who will become the point person for your voter engagement work
BUY-IN AND LEADERSHIP
GetStarte
d
• Who is your audience– Staff and volunteers – Clients and constituents – People in your community
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
GetStarte
d
• What are your points of contact with your audiences? When, where and how do you interact with them?
– Point of service– Classes and trainings– Meetings– Community events– In your lobby– Over the phone
• Are there particular races or ballot measures you want to focus on?
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
GetStarte
d
• Learn about voting in your state– Voter registration deadline– Voter registration opportunities– Voting eligibility for ex-offenders– Early voting– Voter ID
VOTING IN YOUR STATE
GetStarte
d
VOTING IN YOUR STATE
GetStarte
d
• Visit the Get Started page of our website and get our – Getting Started checklist– Voter Participation Starter Kit
• Watch the “Make a Plan” webinar on our YouTube channelhttp://www.youtube.com/user/nonprofitvote
MORE RESOURCES ON GETTING STARTED
GetStarte
d
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
• Rank candidates on a single issue
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 Forums Nonpartisa
n
WHAT STAFF CAN DO
Nonprofit staff are free to engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours, i.e. off the clock.
However, staff members cannot be seen as representing the organization on a campaign nor may they use organizational resources for a candidate.
Nonpartisan
RESOURCES ON BEING NONPARTISAN
Visit the “Staying Nonpartisan” page of our website to:• Download our guide to staying nonpartisan,
“Nonprofits, Voting and Elections,” • Download factsheets like “What Nonprofit Staff Can
Do”• Review other resources from the Alliance for Justice
and IRS Nonpartisan
RESOURCES ON BEING NONPARTISAN
Nonpartisan
VOTER REGISTRATION
• Promote voter registration– Use your communications, events, classes to
announce the voter registration deadline and where to register.
• Conduct a voter registration activity– Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration as
part of services, trainings or events– Hold a voter registration event or drive
TWO APPROACHES TO REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
• Always combine voter registration with another activity as many people are already registered or not eligible
• Updating an address is just as important as registering for the first time
• Even small numbers of registrations add up!
PRINCIPLES OF VOTER REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
• Have a plan: Set realistic goals, timelines
• Line up staffing: Identify committed volunteers and staff, and someone to be in charge
• Know your state’s rules: – Deadlines– Getting and returning the
forms
VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS
VoterRegistration
• Close to Deadline: The best time to do voter registration is in the two months leading up to the registration deadline (August – October)
• Single Day: Single day events, like a graduation event, citizenship ceremony, open house, community meeting, etc.
WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
• September 25th is National Voter Registration Day!
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAYwww.nationalvoterregistrationday.org
• Download the “Voter Registration Toolkit”• Order a Voter Registration Poster• Watch our last webinar on voter registration
on YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/nonprofitvote
VOTER REGISTRATION RESOURCES
VoterRegistration
VOTER REGISTRATION RESOURCES
VOTER EDUCATION
TWO TYPES 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 the candidates and issues:– Pass out nonpartisan voter guides or a
sample ballot
VoterEducation
PRINCIPLES OF VOTER EDUCATION• Time education close to the election when people
are paying attention• Use communications to announce dates, deadlines
or connect your issues with the election• Use points of contact to pass out a voter information
card or sample ballot to start conversations• Highlight what’s on the ballot beyond the
presidential race Voter Education
WORKING WITH CANDIDATES
• Candidate Forums: Sponsor or co-sponsor a candidate forum on a local race
• Sharing Your Research: Provide candidates your research or policy ideas.
CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT
CandidateEngagement
• Candidate Appearances: Invite candidates for a local race(s) to attend a fall event
• Asking Questions: Prepare a candidate questionnaire or attend a candidate event to ask question
CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT (CONT)
CandidateEngagement
• Download the “Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum”• Watch the online narrated training on hosting a
candidate forum• Watch our last webinar on hosting a candidate forum
on our YouTube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/nonprofitvote
CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES
CandidateEngagement
CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES
CandidateEngagement
BALLOT MEASURES
• Activity on ballot measures is lobbying. It’s influencing the passage or defeat of a law, bond measure or constitutional amendment – not the election or defeat of a candidate
• 501c3 nonprofits may work for or against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity
BALLOT MEASURES
Ballot Measures
• Stay Neutral: Educate clients and constituents about measures on the ballot– Turn legalese into common sense
language for community members– Translate ballot measures into
other languages
• Take a position – Advocate for or against a ballot
measure up to within your normal lobbying limits
TWO APPROACHES BALLOT MEASURES
BallotMeasures
• Download the ballot measure factsheet
• Watch our webinar “Laws on the Ballot: Taking a Stand on Ballot Measures” on our YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/nonprofitvote
BALLOT MEASURE RESOURCES
BallotMeasures
GET OUT THE VOTE AND ELECTION DAY
LIKE JOINING THE GYM
We like to say that registering to vote is like joining the gym. It’s an important first step, but you still have to show up!
GOTV
PRINCIPLES OF GET OUT THE VOTE
• Make it personal: Personal contact works best
• Create urgency around your issue or the impact of the election
• Raise the volume close to Election Day when people are most tuned in
GOTV
• Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency and in your communications
• Promote Early Voting: Encourage people to vote early by mail or in person
• Promote Election Day voting: Contact constituents about voting on Election Day
GET OUT THE VOTE
GOTV
• Give staff time off: To work at polls or do nonpartisan GOTV
• Become a poll worker: Consider being a poll worker or a translator
• 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
YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IF…
You AreSuccessful
If…
You made a plan, had a point person, and…• Got Engaged: Did at least
one activity in 4 main categories: Voter Reg, Candidate Ed, Voter Ed, GOTV
• Increased voting: The electorate looks more like your community
• Built clout: Your election work strengthens your advocacy and services
MORE RESOURCESwww.nonprofitvote.org
[email protected] (8683)www.nonprofitvote.orgNonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111
Ashley [email protected]
Julian [email protected]