Transcript HOSTING A CANDIDATE FORUM

VOTER REGISTRATION
AT YOUR NONPROFIT
Presented by
ABOUT US
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.
About
Us
Find out more about our mission and partners on our site
www.nonprofitvote.org
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Jeff Narabrook
Voter Outreach Director
The Office of the Minnesota
Secretary of State
Who
AGENDA
 Why Voter Registration
 Nonpartisan Guidelines
 Making a Plan
 Doing Voter Registration
Agenda
OPPORTUNITY 2014
• The entire House of
Representatives, 33 Senators
and 36 Governors will be on
ballots across the country!
• Eighty-six ballot questions
are certified for spots on 36
statewide ballots in 2014
Opportunity
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION
• Of the 225 million Americans who are eligible
to vote in 2014, roughly 1 in 4 is not
registered to vote*
• Engaging the Rising American Electorate
• Who votes matters!
Why Voter
Registration
*http://www.pewstates.org/uploadedFiles/PCS_Assets/2012/ Pew_Upgrading_Voter_
Registration.pdf
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION
• 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*
Why Voter
Registration
*http://www.civicyouth.org/civic-engagement-among-registered- voters- and-nonregistered-eligible-citizens
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED)
Longer term benefits to your
organizations and your
community:
• Get the Attention of
Candidates
• Build Community Clout
• Foster Community-Based
Leadership
Why Voter
Registration
NONPARTISAN GUIDELINES
FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
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
Guidelines
GUIDELINES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
When registering someone to vote:
• You may not suggest which candidate to
support or which political party to join
• You may explain what it means to register
without party affiliation
• You may provide nonpartisan voter guides or
encourage people to ask friends or neighbors
to learn more about the candidates
Guidelines
THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT
Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act
of 1993 (aka “Motor Voter”) requires:
• Agencies signing up people for federal benefits like
SNAP, Medicaid, SCHIP, WIC, TANF to proactively
offer voter registration
• States to designate state-funded programs for
people with disabilities to offer voter registration
Guidelines
MAKING A PLAN
 Getting Started
 Knowing the Rules
Making a
Plan
GETTING STARTED
What to expect when starting
out:
• Updating an address on a
registration is just as important as
registering for the first time
• Since many people are already
registered, it is useful to combine
registration with other activities
like a voter pledge card or
promoting your services or an
event.
Making a
Plan
GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED)
When planning your efforts keep the following
in mind:
• Put your plan on paper!
• Designate a staff person to take the lead
• Gain buy-in from the executive director and
staff
• Connect with your local elections
Making a
Plan
office
KNOWING THE RULES
• Voter registration deadlines
– EDR
• Voter registration eligibility requirements
– The basics
– Pre-registration
– Ex-offenders
a
• State specific rules on voter registrationMaking
Plan
– Turnaround time
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state
http://www.fairelectionsnetwork.com/resources/
DOING
VOTER REGISTRATION
 When and Where to Do It
 Training Staff and Volunteers
 Getting and Returning Forms
 Promoting Your Efforts
Doing
Voter
Reg
WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
• Registration Drive: Conduct registration over
the weeks or months leading up to the voter
registration deadline in your state, e.g.
during August, September and October.
• Single Day: Focus on a single day, like a
weekend or special event
Doing
Voter
Reg
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
• September 23rd is National
Voter Registration Day!
• Sign up now at:
www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org
Doing
Voter
Reg
WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
At your agency :
• As a part of services:
Integrated into intake or
other interactions with
constituents
• Tabling: In your lobby,
outside your front door
or in a high traffic area
Doing
Voter
Reg
WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
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
Doing
Voter
Reg
NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not always effective
when registering voters.
RECRUIT/TRAIN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Provide training for staff and
volunteers on:
• Why this work is important
• Answering frequently asked
questions about voting
• Answering questions about
the voter registration form
Doing
Voter
Reg
MAKING AN EFFECTIVE ASK
• Confidence, assertiveness and eye contact
• “Are you registered to vote at your current
address?”
• Be accurate. An incomplete form or a form
filled out incorrectly does not count
• Cultural competency when discussing
citizenship or a past felony conviction Doing
Voter
Reg
GETTING AND RETURNING PAPER FORMS
• Getting voter registration
forms
• Returning completed voter
registration forms to your
local election office
– Turnaround time
– Retaining information for GOTV
Doing
Voter
Reg
HELPING COMPLETE THE PAPER FORM
• Frequently missed items
– Eligibility check boxes
– ID number
– Date of birth
– Party affiliation
– Signature and date
Doing
Voter
Reg
PAPERLESS ONLINE REGISTRATION
• 19 states now have paperless
online voter registration
• What about collecting
information for GOTV?
Doing
Voter
Reg
USING AN ONLINE TOOL
• Online tools like Nonprofit
VOTE’s make registering to
vote fast and easy
• Follow the prompts to fill out
the form, then print it, sign it,
date it and return it to your
election officials at the
address provided
Doing
Voter
Reg
PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION
• 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
Promote!
MORE RESOURCES
www.nonprofitvote.org
[email protected]
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE
89 South Street
Suite 203
Boston, MA 02111
Jeff Narabrook
[email protected]
Julian Johannesen
[email protected]