Nonprofit VOTE

VOTER REGISTRATIONAND VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 9, 2010

AGENDA

• Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement–Why voting?–Why nonprofits?

• Staying Nonpartisan • Voter Registration• Voter Education

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WHY VOTING?

•Stronger, healthier communities•Public policies that represent our communities•Clout for your organization

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WHY VOTING?

•Safe•Easy•Important

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WHY NONPROFITS?

• Size of our sector • Trust of our communities • Access to underrepresented populations• Social missions• Interest in good government • Nonpartisanship

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YOU are the Trusted Voices in Your Communities

EXPANDING DEMOCRACY

•What we know about creating new voters–Personal contact –Repeat messages from

multiples sources–Voting is a habit

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STAYING NONPARTISAN

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

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STAYING NONPARTISAN

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

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STAYING NONPARTISAN

•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)

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WHAT STAFF CAN DO

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

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VOTER REGISTRATION

Voter Registration: One small step in the larger cycle of nonprofit voter engagement

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LIKE JOINING A GYM….…there’s a lot more to do to get in shape.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Increasingly, as people are registered by other sources, nonprofits should focus their efforts on voter education and helping people vote (GOTV)

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VOTER REG: Step 1

NOW is the time:Make Your Action Plan!

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Action Plan

How will you approach voter registration….from simply promoting the deadlines to registering voters at your agency.

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ACTION PLAN NOW is the time! –What is the voter registration deadline

in your state? –The month before the deadline is the

best time for communicating about voter registration–Remind people that they need

to re-register if they have moved or changed their name

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START WITH YOUR INNER CIRCLE

• Board • Staff • Volunteers

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TIER 1: COMMUNICATE Publicize and promote voter registration deadlines and how/where-to’s in: • Your website • E-communications• Printed newsletters• Posters in your agency’s lobby• Regular materials distributed to clients, community members, staff, board and volunteers

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TIER 2: IN-AGENCY VOTER REG

Where are your EXISTING key points of contact with your community and constituents?

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TIER 2: IN-AGENCY VOTER REG

Points of contact:• At Intake •Community Classes •One-on-one outreach and services•Community celebrations

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IN-AGENCY VOTER REG

Next, select a point person to direct your in-agency voter registration activities

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IN-AGENCY VOTER REG Decide on your approach: • Make forms available with signage •Train staff to conduct voter registration and turn forms in promptly

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POINTS OF CONTACT

• Classes • Intake • Point of service• Community events

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VOTER REGISTRATION

Get to know the voter registration rules in your state

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TRAIN YOUR STAFF • On eligibility requirements in

your state• How to fill out a form • How to be nonpartisan• Talking points specific to your

mission

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VOTER EDUCATIONPromote the when, where and how of voting

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VOTER EDUCATION

•Knowledge About the Voting Process•Confidence about Casting a Ballot•Urgency and Importance

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VOTER EDUCATION • When– Election date, Deadline to

vote by mail or vote early, Polling hours

• Where– Polling places, Early voting

locations• How– How to vote absentee or early

in-person,• Where to get help voting, ID

requirements• Who and what is on the

ballot

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VOTER EDUCATION • Sample activities:– Hold a mock election at your

nonprofit– Teach voting vocabulary words– Discuss the principles of a fair

democracy or fair election. – Pass out voter registration

forms or sample ballots– Cover specifics for your area • what races are on the ballot• how to vote• polling place locations• ballot initiatives.

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VOTER EDUCATION • Special Activities–Make it a party: Hold a special event about

the election for one of your programs. –Discuss the election with those who are not

citizens and ways they can participate as a volunteer or helping others vote.–Make sure ex- offenders understand

their right to vote

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VOTER EDUCATION • Sample Ballots–A sample ballots help voters feel more

comfortable with the process of voting and have more confidence going to cast their ballot. Print out copies and post them in your lobby, or have a stack of them available in waiting rooms and intake areas.

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VOTER EDUCATION • Candidate Questionnaires and Voter

Guides–Checkout our online guide “Nonprofits,

Voting and Elections” to learn about creating your own questionnaires and guides–Distribute questionnaires and guides from

other organizations like a nonprofit coalition or local League of Women Voters

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VOTER EDUCATION • Candidate Forums –Checkout our “Nonprofits Guide to Hosting a

Candidate Forum”–Co-host with other organizations–Cover a broad range of issues – Invite all viable candidates–Confirm with candidates–Turnout is EVERYTHING!

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VOTER/ CANDIDATE EDUCATION

• Candidate Forums –Checkout our “Nonprofits Guide to Hosting a

Candidate Forum”–Co-host with other organizations–Cover a broad range of issues – Invite all viable candidates–Confirm with candidates–Turnout is EVERYTHING!

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MORE RESOURCES…………………..……………………………..….

More Resources at www.nonprofitvote.orgWebinar page – Download or view past webinarsNonprofit Voter Participation Starter Kit – Order free copy501c3 Online Guide to Nonpartisan Voter Participation – Soon to be available as a narrated online training presentationHosting a Candidate Forum – Download the print publication or watch the narrated online training presentationLearn About Voting in Your State – State by state voting information provided in cooperation with the National Association of Secretaries of StateFact sheets, checklists and more

Coming SoonLinks to voter guides and sample ballots (coming this month)