EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

Voter Engagement Basics For Nonprofits

October 7, 2010

Presented by

Democracy NC N.C. Center for Nonprofits Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network

Agenda

I.

Why voter engagement is important II.

Voting basics III. What 501(c)(3) nonprofits can and can’t do IV. Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be involved V.

Resources to make it easy

Why Voting?

• Stronger and healthier communities • People who vote are more likely to volunteer, advocate, or be active in civic life of their communities • Public policies that represent our communities

Voter Turnout in the 2006 Midterm Election

Why Nonprofits?

• Nonprofits can reinforce that voting is safe, easy, and important • Size of our sector • Trust of our communities • Access to underrepresented populations • We’re nonpartisan

Voting Basics

• • • • • • November 2: Election Day Poll hours: 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

October 8: General election registration closes October 14-30: Early voting and same-day registration in every county October 26: Deadline to request absentee ballot. They must be postmarked by November 2.

Board of Elections:

www.sboe.state.nc.us

Voting Basics

• Voter Registration  Surge in 2008, but 1 million still unregistered  Pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds  Rights of former felons  Foreclosure and residency

Voting Basics

• Early Voting: All-Purpose Solution  Update registration  Register for first time  Solve problems related to moving, etc.

 Organize turnout

Voting Basics

• Instant runoff voting • Provisional ballots • Get Help Voting phone numbers  N.C. Board of Elections 866-522-4723  National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) 888-VE-Y-VOTA

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

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

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party. That means no endorsements or rating of candidates.

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

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)  Host a nonpartisan candidate forum or candidate questionnaire

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

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

Hint: Don’t use any of your nonprofit’s resources for this

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

What CAN’T you do?

•501(c)(3) nonprofits can’t  Endorse a candidate  Make a contribution to a campaign or political party  Rate candidates  Offer resources to candidates unequally

What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do

• Some gray areas  Candidate appearances at nonprofit events  Use of your mailing list or office space by candidates  Candidates serving on your board  Issue advocacy immediately before the election

Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be involved

• Voter registration • Voter education • Get Out The Vote

Voter Registration

Promote the when, where, and how of voting

Voter Registration

• • • • Publicize and promote voter registration deadlines and how-to’s Announce registration deadlines at events, in newsletters, in e-blasts, or on your website Talk about registering to vote at staff or board meetings. Ask new staff if they are registered to vote.

Put up posters advertising voter registration deadlines, along with where to get and return voter registration forms

Voter Registration

• Conduct In-House Voter Registration  Train staff members who have direct contact with community members  Assign a staff member to plan and direct voter registration activities  Make voter registration forms available and offer voter registration to new clients at intake  Designate a staff person to promptly return forms to your Local Election Office

Voter Education

• Promote the message that “Your Vote Counts!” • Give out voter registration forms and sample ballots • Put up a poster in your lobby • Give out voting information cards • Give out candidate guides • Be a resource for questions

Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

• Principles of GOTV  Make it personal  Get voters the help they need  Turn up the (nonpartisan) volume

GOTV

• Create Visibility  The election should be visible to everyone who walks into your organization or attends any of your trainings or events  Put up Vote November 2 signage  Announce or discuss at meetings, events, classes, etc.

 Encourage media to promote the election and where voters can find help

GOTV

• Provide Help – In a Nonpartisan Way!

 Orient staff to answer basic election questions or where to get help  When providing services, ask people if they’re planning to vote and if they need help  Help people vote early – 1 out of 3 voters are early voters  Advertise rides to the polls or where to get help – but in a nonpartisan way  Call a list of your constituents about voting

GOTV

• On Election Day  Allow and encourage your staff to do nonpartisan get out the vote activities on election day  Ask everyone you connect with if they’ve voted or need help voting  Put up big “Vote Today” signs with a number to call or place to go for help  Have an election day party!

• • •

Resources to Make It Easy

• • • “A Voter Participation Starter Kit” – free at

www.nonprofitvote.org

Posters – available from the N.C. Center for Nonprofits:

[email protected]

Voting Information Cards –

www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010 electioncards.pdf

Candidate Guides – statewide:

www.ncvoterguide.org

Board of Elections –

www.sboe.state.nc.us

Websites

1) www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010election.asp

2) www.ncelectionconnection.com

3) www.nonprofitvote.org

Presenters

• Bob Hall ([email protected]) Executive Director, Democracy NC • David Heinen ([email protected]) Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, N.C. Center for Nonprofits • Sally Migliore ([email protected]) Director for Collaboration and Training, N.C. Center for Nonprofits