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 About 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

TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Nikki Love Kingman Director of Public Policy HANO Lindsey Hodel National Field Director Nonprofit VOTE

AGENDA Agenda Hawai’i Elections 2014 Why Nonprofits and Voting Staying Nonpartisan Menu of Options: Voter Engagement Activities Getting Started

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) Source: United States Elections Project, electproject.org THE CHALLENGE OF VOTER PARTICIPATION Turnout

Voter registration deadline: Monday Oct. 6 Early walk-in absentee voting: Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 General Election day: Tuesday Nov GENERAL ELECTION IN HAWAII Deadlines!

State of Hawaii Office of Elections Web: hawaii.gov/elections Phone: (808) 453-VOTE (8683) Neighbor Isle Toll-free: (800) 442-VOTE (8683) 2014 GENERAL ELECTION IN HAWAII State Elections

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? 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

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 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT? Why Voting

STAYING NONPARTISAN Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities to educate the public and help them participate in elections, including - Staying Nonpartisan May – Register Voters Educate Voters Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Hold Candidate Forums May – Register Voters Educate Voters Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Hold Candidate Forums

STAYING NONPARTISAN A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may not support or oppose a candidate for public office. Being Nonpartisan May not – Endorse candidates Donate money or resources to candidates Rate candidates on single issues May not – Endorse candidates Donate money or resources to candidates Rate candidates on single issues

Voter Registration Voter Education Get-Out-The-Vote and Mobilization Ballot Initiative and Issue Advocacy VOTER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Activities

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 Voter Registration

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY

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 Voter Education On the Who, Where, and How of Voting

Make it personal Make it positive Turn up the volume GET-OUT-THE-VOTE GOTV Most important contact is often right before election day

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 webinars BALLOT MEASURES AND ADVOCACY GOTV Nonprofits can and should take positions on ballot measures

Capacity Skills and Training Opportunities for Engagement Making a Timeline 4 STEPS FOR GETTING STARTED Get Started

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? STEP 1: CAPACITY Get Started

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? STEP 2: SKILLS AND TRAINING Get Started

STEP 3: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Get Started 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

STEP 4: CREATE A TIMELINE Get Started

Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Phone: (808) Web: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! CONNECT WITH HANO Connect !

Thursday, October 2 nd, 2014 Find out more at: HANO NONPROFIT CONFERENCE

QUESTIONS? Questions?

VOTE (8683) Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA Lindsey Hodel, National Field Director