Transcript HOSTING A CANDIDATE FORUM

VOTER ENGAGEMENT FOR
HAWAII NONPROFITS
Presented by:
ABOUT HANO
Uniting and Strengthening
the Nonprofit Sector in
Hawaii
• Leadership and convening
• Advocacy and public policy
• Research and information
• Communications
• Professional development
• Products and services
About
ABOUT NONPROFIT VOTE
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 at About
www.nonprofitvote.org
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Lindsey Hodel
National Field Director
Nonprofit VOTE
Nikki Love Kingman
Director of Public Policy
HANO
Who
AGENDA
 Hawai’i Elections 2014
 Why Nonprofits and Voting
 Staying Nonpartisan
 Menu of Options: Voter Engagement
Activities
 Getting Started
Agenda
THE CHALLENGE OF VOTER PARTICIPATION
Turnout of eligible voters in Hawaii:
2012 General Election – 44.5% (58.7% nationwide)
2010 General Election – 40.2% (41.7% nationwide)
2008 General Election – 49.0% (62.2% nationwide)
Turnout
Source: United States Elections Project, electproject.org
2014 GENERAL ELECTION IN HAWAII
Voter registration deadline:
Monday Oct. 6
Early walk-in absentee voting:
Oct. 21 to Nov. 1
General Election day:
Tuesday Nov. 4
Deadlines!
2014 GENERAL ELECTION IN HAWAII
State of Hawaii Office of Elections
Web: hawaii.gov/elections
Phone: (808) 453-VOTE (8683)
Neighbor Isle Toll-free: (800) 442-VOTE (8683)
State
Elections
WHY NONPROFITS?
• Our size and reach as a sector.
• Our social missions and the trust we earn from our
communities enable us to reach people that no one
else can.
• Our dedicated staff help those in need every day
and understand the importance of active
citizenship.
• When we do this work, we are effective!
• We have to.
Why
Nonprofits
NONPROFITS INCREASE VOTING
• Nonprofit VOTE’s Track the Vote report:
• Nonprofit voters were 74% likely to vote, 6
percentage points higher than the general
public.
• Turnout was 18 points higher for Latino voters
• Turnout was 15 points higher for
voters with household incomes
under $25,000.
Why
Nonprofits
WHY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?
• Participation gaps still persist in elections and in
other forms of civic activity.
• Civic engagement leads to new leadership within
the community and better/more diverse
representation.
• People and communities that participate civically
report better health outcomes.
• Civic engagement programs enhance
advocacy and lobbying efforts.
Why
Voting
STAYING NONPARTISAN
Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter
engagement activities to educate the public and
help them participate in elections, including May –
•
Register Voters
•
Educate Voters
•
Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
•
Hold Candidate Forums
Staying
Nonpartisan
STAYING NONPARTISAN
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may not
support or oppose a candidate for public office.
May not –
•
Endorse candidates
•
Donate money or resources to
candidates
•
Rate candidates on single issues
Being
Nonpartisan
VOTER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
• Voter Registration
• Voter Education
• Get-Out-The-Vote and
Mobilization
• Ballot Initiative and
Issue Advocacy
Activities
VOTER REGISTRATION
Common Voter Registration Activities
• At a special event like a high school graduation or
citizenship ceremony
• At your annual meeting or major event
• When hiring new staff
• As a volunteer activity registering voters
at busy sites
• At your nonprofit during the 1-3 months
before the registration deadline
Voter
Registration
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org
VOTER EDUCATION
On the Who, Where, and
How of Voting
•
•
•
•
•
•
What’s on the ballot?
What are hot races?
When is election day?
Where is my polling place?
How do I vote by mail?
Are there changes to voting?
Voter
Education
GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
Most important contact is
often right before election
day
• Make it personal
• Make it positive
• Turn up the volume
GOTV
BALLOT MEASURES AND ADVOCACY
Nonprofits can and should take positions on
ballot measures
• 501(c)(3) organizations can endorse or oppose ballot
measures
• Endorsement/opposition counts as direct lobbying (not
grassroots lobbying and not electioneering)
• Ballot initiatives give voters a reason to
turn out
• www.nonprofitvote.org/all-resources/
webinars
GOTV
4 STEPS FOR GETTING STARTED
• Capacity
• Skills and Training
• Opportunities for
Engagement
• Making a Timeline
Get
Started
STEP 1: CAPACITY
• Leadership: Get buy-in from
your ED and your Board.
• Staff: Help staff see the
importance of civic
engagement.
• Staff Lead: Establishing a
point person is important.
• Partners: Who can provide
you support and resources?
Get
Started
STEP 2: SKILLS AND TRAINING
• Staying Nonpartisan:
Knowing the rules for
501(c)(3) nonprofits.
• Local Election/Lobbying
Rules: Deadlines, how to
vote, lobbying rules, etc.
• What’s at Stake: What’s on
the ballot? What bills are
being considered?
Get
Started
STEP 3: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
What are your points of
contact with your
audiences? When, where
and how do you interact
with them?
• Points of service
• Classes and trainings
• Meetings
• Community events
• In your lobby
Get
Started
STEP 4: CREATE A TIMELINE
Get
Started
CONNECT WITH HANO
Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations
Phone: (808) 529-0454
Web: www.hano-hawaii.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Connect
!
HANO NONPROFIT CONFERENCE
Thursday, October 2nd, 2014
Find out more at: www.hano-hawaii.org/
QUESTIONS?
Questions?
[email protected]
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE
89 South Street
Suite 203
Boston, MA 02111
Lindsey Hodel, National Field Director
[email protected]