THE ABC S OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR N ONPROFITS Presented by

TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Bridgette Rongitsch Project Lead Grassroots Solutions Julian Johannesen Director of Research and Technology Nonprofit VOTE

AGENDA Agenda Preparing for 2012 Why Voter Registration & Why Nonprofits Nonpartisan Guidelines Making a Plan Voter Registration Nuts and Bolts Promoting Voter Registration

Plan ahead! Now is the time to begin thinking about voter registration in million more people will vote in 2012 than did in million people will become eligible to vote for the first time in 2012 –Young voters –New citizens PREPARING FOR 2012 Preparing For 2012

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

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 Create a Community of Life-Long Voters WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED) Why Voter Registration

Nonprofits are well positioned for effective, nonpartisan voter engagement Studies have shown that when nonprofits help community members register to vote, voter turnout increases nonprofits.html WHY NONPROFITS Why Nonprofits

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! engagement-research.html WHY NONPROFITS (CONTINUED) Why Nonprofits

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, Wikipedia, etc.) NONPARTISAN GUIDELINES Nonpartisan Guidelines

MAKING A PLAN Voter Registration Getting Started When to Do Voter Registration Where to Do Voter Registration Staff & Volunteers

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 GETTING STARTED Voter Registration

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 GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED) 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, classes and other activities year round WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registration

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 WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not effective when registering voters.

VOTER REGISTRATION NUTS AND BOLTS Voter Registration Knowing the Rules Special Circumstances Getting and Returning Forms Helping Complete the Form Staff and Volunteers

Voter registration deadline –EDR Voter registration eligibility requirements –Citizenship –Age Pre-registration –Other special circumstances your-state KNOWING THE RULES Staff Training

Voting for Ex-offenders People experiencing homelessness Survivors of domestic violence SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts

Getting voter registration forms –Local elections office –Downloading forms –Online voter registration Returning voter registration forms –Turnaround time –Retaining information for GOTV Special states GETTING AND RETURNING FORMS Voter Registration

Frequently missed items –Eligibility check boxes –ID number –Date of birth –Party affiliation –Signature and date What happens next for the voter HELPING COMPLETE THE FORM Nuts and Bolts

Provide training for staff and volunteers Recruiting Volunteers STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Nuts and Bolts

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 register-to-vote-poster.html PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION Promote!

Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at RESOURCES Resources

RESOURCES Resources

VOTE (8683) Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA Bridgette Rongitsch Julian Johannesen