Nonprofit VOTE GETTING- OUT-THE-VOTE FOR NONPROFITS October 21, 2010

AGENDA Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement Staying Nonpartisan GOTV On Election Day ………………….. ……………………………...

WHY VOTING? The Nonprofit Community is perfectly suited to this work Clout! Public policies that represent our communities Stronger, healthier communities …………………..……………………………..….

EXPANDING DEMOCRACY What we know about creating new voters – Personal contact – Repeat messages from multiples sources – Voting is a habit …………………..……………………………..….

STAYING NONPARTISAN The IRS places only one restriction on nonprofits doing voter engagement work. …………………..……………………………..….

STAYING NONPARTISAN A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party. …………………..……………………………..….

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 Education Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Election Day Activities …………………..……………………………..….

WHAT STAFF CAN DO Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE We’re almost at the finish line. Time for that final push! …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE 4 out of 10 registered voters do not turn out in a midterm election…. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Therefore, ensuring that your communities get the help they need and make it to the polls on Election Day is one of the most important activities you, as a nonprofit, can do. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Getting-Out-The-Vote: efforts on or just before Election Day to help your community members get to the polls. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE GOTV starts earlier now! Early voting is gaining popularity – 1 in 3 voters vote early. Let your community know about the opportunity to vote early – how and where to do it. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE …………………..……………………………..…. Provide Help – Orient staff to answer basic election questions or where a voter can get help voting – When providing services, ask people if they’re planning to vote and if they need help – Help people vote early – 1 of 3 voters are early voters – Make it a critical part of every program on or near Election Day

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE The date of the election- Tuesday, Nov. 2 Help with finding polling place locations Distribution of sample ballots and voter guides Connection to help such as: – Nonpartisan rides-to-the-polls – Translation at the polls – Disability assistance at the polls …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Help people understand what will happen at the polls, including: – Id requirements – Election Day Registration – Provisional Ballots …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE People need a reason to vote. It is your job to communicate a sense of urgency and turn up the nonpartisan volume in the final days leading up to the Election. Why does your organization care about helping your community vote? Communicate that! …………………..……………………………..….

GETTING-OUT-THE-VOTE Make this about your community and make it a celebration!! …………………..……………………………..….

GETTING-OUT-THE-VOTE Consider: – Where are your points of contact? – Your trusting relationships – High traffic areas – Community events …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Every person in contact with your agency should know it is Election Day. – All outgoing s and signatures – Website – Social Media – Text Messages – Newsletter …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE …………………..……………………………..…. Create Visibility – The election should be visible to everyone who walks into your agency or attends any of your trainings or events – Put up Vote November 2 signage – posters, flyers, etc - throughout the lobby and all public spaces – Make announcements or hold discussions at meetings, events, classes, etc – Encourage media popular with the people you serve to promote the election and where voters can find help

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Sample activities: – Hold a mock election at your nonprofit – Teach voting vocabulary words – Hold a debate watching party or a party to watch the results come in on Election Day – Hold a Trick or Vote event – Pass out sample ballots – Create a simple handout with information on: what races are on the ballot how to vote polling place locations ballot initiatives …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE More Sample activities: – Call through your list of constituents and ask people if they know where to go to vote on Election Day. – Offer rides to the polls or connect constituents to those offering rides …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE Special Activities – Discuss the election with those who are not citizens and ways they can participate as a volunteer or helping others vote. – Make sure that people with disabilities know their rights and know where and how to vote on Election Day – Make sure ex-offenders understand their right to vote. …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE …………………..……………………………..….

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE …………………..……………………………..…. Principles of GOTV – Make it Personal – Get Voters the Help They Need – Turn up the (Nonpartisan) Volume

ELECTION DAY …………………..……………………………..…. On Election Day – Make Election day special. Treat it like day both of political importance and time celebrate democracy – Allow staff to spend part or all of Election Day doing nonpartisan get out the vote activities – Encourage your staff and volunteers to sign up as poll workers or translators – 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

MORE RESOURCES …………………..……………………………..…. More Resources at Webinar page – Download or view past webinars Nonprofit Voter Participation Starter Kit – Order free copy 501c3 Online Guide to Nonpartisan Voter Participation –dowloadable or watch the narrated online training presentation Hosting a Candidate Forum – Download the print publication or watch the narrated online training presentation Learn About Voting in Your State – State by state voting information provided in cooperation with the National Association of Secretaries of State Fact sheets, checklists and more Links to voter guides and sample ballots

Contact Us! Nonprofit VOTE Bridgette Rongitsch