VOTER ENGAGEMENT FOR NONPROFITS 2012 Milwaukee, WI

ABOUT US About Us A national hub of voter engagement resources and trainings to help nonprofits integrate nonpartisan voter participation into ongoing activities and services. Find more about our mission and partners on our website:

BIG ELECTION Agenda

50 Million More Voters

ENGAGING 500,000 NEW VOTERS WISCONSIN VOTER TURNOUT United States Election Project, Gov’t Accountability Board, WI 3.0 Million 2.2 Million 2.5 Million

Top Findings on Voter Mobilization Personal: Being contacted by someone you know Timing: Biggest impact closer to the election MAKE IT PERSONAL Voter Mobilization

MOBILIZATION GAP Source: American National Election Studies: 2008

NONPROFIT IMPACT Nonprofits have impact! A 2010 study of voter outreach by nonprofit service providers in Detroit showed that: #1Clients contacted by their service provider about voting were significantly more likely to vote #2Those contacted were also more likely to talk to family and friends about voting Nonprofit Impact

Advancing our missions Creating voice for the work we do and people we serve Promoting civic health WHY VOTING? Why Voting

WHY VOTING? Greater connections with neighbors and family More engagement in community and civic life Higher employment and lower recidivism rates A building block of active citizenship, voters have: Why Voting

AGENDA Agenda Nonpartisan Guidelines Voting in Wisconsin Nonprofit Voter Engagement o Getting Started – Principles o Voter Registration o Working with Candidates o Getting Out The Vote Next Steps and Resources

THE ONE RULE A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may not support or oppose a candidate for public office. May NOT – Make an endorsement Donate money or resources Rate candidates on your issue One Rule

WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO IRS: Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities designed to educate the public and help them participate in elections Voter Registration Voter Education Candidate Forums Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Nonpartisan

WHAT STAFF CAN DO Nonprofit staff may engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours Nonpartisan

GET STARTED Get Started Start with your staff and volunteers –Leadership buy In –Staff point person Find a partner Keep it simple What are your points of contact? –Direct services –Classes or trainings –Meetings –Community events or outreach

Promote voter registration –Use your communications and events to announce registration deadlines, where to register. Conduct a voter registration activity –Single Day: Youth activity, citizenship ceremony, National Voter Registration Day –Registration Drive: Hold a voter registration drive for one to four weeks near deadline VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registration

VOTER REGISTRATION PRINCIPLES Voter Registration 9 of 10 registered voters will vote in 2012 Updating an address is just as important as registering for the first time Combine voter registration with another activity as many people are already registered or not eligible –Info on the election flyer or agency event

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY 10 $150 Mini-grants Aron Goldman

Invite to an Event: Invite candidates to a fall event Ask Questions: Prepare candidate questionnaire Sponsor a Forum: Sponsor or co- sponsor a candidate forum CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT 3 Ways to Connect to Candidates on a nonpartisan basis Candidate Engagement

Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency and in your communications Raise the stakes: Use your issue. Vote for…vote to protect… Increase Volume: Increase effort in last 2 weeks. Everyone’s voting GET OUT THE VOTE Get Out The Vote Make October Get Out the Vote Month

Be prepared: Be able to answer questions –Election Day Registration –Where to get help voting –How to find your poll Ask if you voted: Ask everyone if they voted or need help voting Celebrate Democracy: Make Election Day special. Have a party. ELECTION DAY! Election Day

IT ADDS UP Opportunity 2012 Whether 50 or 500, it adds up Voting is contagious Voting is habit-forming Many nonprofits, schools, congregations, sororities, multiply our impact

ENDORSE VOTING

MORE RESOURCES Resources

VOTE (8683) George Pillsbury