Transcript HOSTING A CANDIDATE FORUM

THE ABCS OF VOTER
REGISTRATION
FOR NONPROFITS
Presented by
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Bridgette Rongitsch
Project Lead
Grassroots Solutions
Julian Johannesen
Director of Research and
Technology
Nonprofit VOTE
Who
AGENDA
Preparing for 2012
Why Voter Registration & Why
Nonprofits
Nonpartisan Guidelines
Making a Plan
Voter Registration Nuts and Bolts
Promoting Voter Registration
Agenda
PREPARING FOR 2012
• Plan ahead! Now is the time to begin
thinking about voter registration in 2012
• 50 million more people will vote in 2012 than
did in 2010
• 15 million people will become eligible to vote
for the first time in 2012
– Young voters
– New citizens
Preparing
For 2012
Voter Turnout in 2010 and 2012
Source: U.S. Elections Project
140
Million
160
140
120
100
90 Million
80
60
40
20
0
2010
2012
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION
• Voter registration is the first step on the road
to becoming an active and engaged voter
• 9 out of 10 registered voters will turn out to
vote in a presidential election
Why Voter
Registration
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED)
•
•
•
•
•
Get the Attention of Candidates
Build Community Clout
Create Community Advocates
Foster Community-Based Leadership
Elect Representatives that Reflect the
Diversity of Your Community
• Reach Voters No One Else Can
Why Voter
Registration
• Create a Community of Life-Long Voters
WHY NONPROFITS
• Nonprofits are well positioned for effective,
nonpartisan voter engagement
• Studies have shown that when nonprofits
help community members register to vote,
voter turnout increases
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/whynonprofits.html
Why
Nonprofits
WHY NONPROFITS (CONTINUED)
• A 2010 study conducted by Nonprofit VOTE
found that voters who were registered to
vote by a local nonprofit turned out to vote
at a rate 11 points higher than voters in a
control group.
• Voters who received additional, subsequent
contacts turned out a rate 17 points higher!
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voterengagement-research.html
Why
Nonprofits
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 to learn
more about the parties (the party websites,
Nonpartisan
Wikipedia, etc.)
Guidelines
MAKING A PLAN
Getting Started
When to Do Voter Registration
Where to Do Voter Registration
Staff & Volunteers
Voter
Registration
GETTING STARTED
• What to expect when starting out:
– Many community members are already
registered to vote
– Updating an address on a registration is just as
important as registering for the first time
– Even small numbers of registrations aggregate up
to a large number on a state-wide or national
level
Voter
Registration
GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED)
• 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
Types of activities and when and where
Training
Other Logistics
Voter
Registration
WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
• Single Day: Focus on a single day, like
National Voter Registration Day on
September 25th
• Close to Deadline: The best time to do voter
registration is in the month leading up to the
registration deadline in your state.
• Year Round: Integrate voter registration into
activities like client intake, staff training,Voter
classes and other activities year roundRegistration
WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
• At your agency : In your lobby, in classes, at
client intake, etc.
• At events: A high school graduation, a
citizenship ceremony, an open house
• In your neighborhood: A highly trafficked
location like a bus station
NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not
effective when registering voters.
Voter
Registration
VOTER REGISTRATION
NUTS AND BOLTS
Knowing the Rules
Special Circumstances
Getting and Returning Forms
Helping Complete the Form Voter
Registration
Staff and Volunteers
KNOWING THE RULES
• Voter registration deadline
– EDR
• Voter registration eligibility requirements
– Citizenship
– Age
• Pre-registration
– Other special circumstances
Staff
Training
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voter-registration-inyour-state
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
• Voting for Ex-offenders
• People experiencing homelessness
• Survivors of domestic violence
Nuts and
Bolts
Nuts and
Bolts
GETTING AND RETURNING FORMS
• Getting voter registration forms
– Local elections office
– Downloading forms
– Online voter registration
• Returning voter registration forms
– Turnaround time
– Retaining information for GOTV
• Special states
Voter
Registration
HELPING COMPLETE THE FORM
• Frequently missed items
– Eligibility check boxes
– ID number
– Date of birth
– Party affiliation
– Signature and date
• What happens next for the voter
Nuts and
Bolts
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
• Provide training for staff and volunteers
• Recruiting Volunteers
Nuts and
Bolts
PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION
DON’T FORGET TO PROMOTE YOUR WORK!
• 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!
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/order-theregister-to-vote-poster.html
RESOURCES
• Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more
available at www.nonprofitvote.org
Resources
RESOURCES
Resources
[email protected]
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE
89 South Street
Suite 203
Boston, MA 02111
Bridgette Rongitsch
[email protected]
Julian Johannesen
[email protected]