Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.
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Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010
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Transcript of Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.
Nonprofit VOTE
VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS
September 23, 2010
AGENDA
• Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement–Why voting?–Why nonprofits?
• Staying nonpartisan • Nonprofit voter education defined • How to: Integrated voter education
tactics
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WHY VOTING?• Stronger, healthier communities• Public policies that represent our communities• Increased access to decision-makers• Improved chances of parity in social institutions• Improved social and economic justice• Capacity for your organization• 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 EDUCATION
Nonprofit Voter Education: educating your communities on the when, where, how and why 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
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VOTER EDUCATION
•Where–Polling places –Early voting locations
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VOTER EDUCATION
• How–Eligibility – Id requirements –How to vote absentee or
early in-person–Rides to the polls –Election Day Registration –Resources for help voting
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VOTER EDUCATION
•Why –What’s at stake? –What’s on the ballot?
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VOTER EDUCATION
•Consider:–Where are your points
of contact? –Your trusting
relationships –High traffic areas –Community events
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VOTER EDUCATION
• Sample activities:– Posters in your agency’s lobby
with election date and polling place hours – Distribute sample ballots and
voter guides – Help people find their polling
place
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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–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, bring them to all points of contact and/or along with handouts of printed materials.
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VOTER EDUCATION • Candidate Questionnaires and Voter
Guides–Distribute nonpartisan questionnaires and
guides from other organizations like a nonprofit coalition, local League of Women Voters or local newspapers
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VOTER/ CANDIDATE EDUCATION
• Candidate Forums –Promote candidate forums in your area–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 Education– Invite candidates to tour your agency and talk
with community members and get to know the issues that your organization cares about.
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BALLOT INITIATIVES
• Education your community about initiatives that will appear on the ballot –Nonprofits may work on behalf of or against
ballot initiatives as part of regular lobbying activities.
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Contact Us!
Nonprofit VOTE
www.nonprofitvote.org Bridgette Rongitsch
