Voter Participation Training

Nonprofit VOTE - State and local voter engagement initiatives Expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in voting and elections Closing participation gaps for underrepresented and lower turnout communities

Our California Partners

Gaps in Voter Turnout in CA 2006 & Election Percent turnout of citizen eligible voters 2008 Election

Gap in Voter Turnout by Age

National Statistics Gap in Turnout by Income & Mobility

Rise in Voter Turnout in CA

Voter Turnout in LA County – Recent Elections City of LA Municipal Election 2011: 12.97% Statewide Elections – LA County Turnout Midterm Election Nov 2010: % CA Special Election May 2009: % Presidential Election Nov 2008: %

Barriers to Voting Why do you think these gaps exist in voter turnout? Why do you think voter turnout can be so low in some elections, but much higher in other elections?

It Matters Who Votes

Why Me?

Why Vote? Who Votes Matters Elected officials know who votes. Elected officials and candidates will pay less attention to, make fewer appearances in, and appeal less to neighborhoods that don't turnout. They pay more attention to communities who do vote. The people who vote have a powerful impact on public policy and government and influence laws, appointments, and budgeting. You and your constituents’ policy and political concerns won’t be heard if you/they don't vote. How have your organizations, or services that you and your family receive, been impacted by the CA budget?

Size of Nonprofit Sector 1.6 million active organizations in US (18,622 active nonprofits in LA County) Employing 14 million people (246,000 people employed in LA County – 6% of workforce) Recruiting 65 million volunteers annually And serving millions every day

And Reach…. Unique and trusting relationships with the communities you serve. Have a vested interest in ensuring that the priorities of your communities are represented Ability to integrate voter outreach into ongoing activities

One Rule to Remember 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations must remain NONPARTISAN.

Remaining Nonpartisan Do use nonpartisan voter participation to build more powerful and engaged communities DON’TS – as 501c3 organization…  Oppose or Endorse a candidate running for office  Give resources ($$ etc) to candidates  Rank candidates on an issue to bias towards one candidate  Tell people how to vote or which party to affiliate with Helpful Resources: Nonprofits, Voting and Elections Toolkit Alliance for Justice:1-866-NPLOBBY

Ballot Measures Ballot measures are laws not candidates 501c3 nonprofits can support or oppose ballot measures Advocacy around ballot measures is considered a lobbying activity, subject to normal lobbying limits

What is Nonpartisan Voter Engagement?

Behind the Plan Get Buy In: Executive Direcot or Board of Directors Rest of staff Use voter toolkit Identify a point person: Program staff, public policy, direct service, communications staff, receptionist, outreach worker Keep it Simple Plan Around Election Deadlines: voter reg & education voter education & GOTV

Assess Your Voter Engagement Resources and Challenges YOUR NONPROFIT Who’s Involved: Front office staff, management, outreach workers, policy staff, administrative staff, social workers, activities directors, volunteers & interns TARGET Who is your Audience: Staff, Board, Volunteers and Clients COMMUNICATE Points of Contacts: How you’ll reach your audience? In person, on website, newsletter, twitter, etc INTEGRATE Where: points of service, intake, in waiting rooms, classes & trainings, meetings, community events

Step 1: Voter Registration Like joining a gym… …there’s a lot more to do to get in shape.

Step 1: Voter Registration  Registration Deadline is 15 days before an election  Focus on Month before the Deadline  Updating Registration is as Important as New  Start with your Staff  Vote by mail Helpful Resources: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Voter Registration

Voter Registration You can Register to Vote if you are: A U.S. citizen A resident of California At least 18 years old by the next election Not serving time for a felony or still on parole for a felony Not declared to be mentally incompetent by a court You will need to re-register if: You have moved. You have changed your name. You want to change the political party you chose on your last registration form.

Step 1: Voter Registration Decide your Approach: Level 1: Publicize and Promote Voter reg deadlines and how-to’s Level 2: Do Registration on Site Incorporate into your ongoing activities and constituent interactions Level 3: Mobilize & Partner Identify and collaborate with partners in your community

Step 1: Voter Registration WHERE? (points of contact) In Office (Be a permanent distribution site contact LA County ) Online Your organization’s website (Ya Es Hora online voter registration tool) LAVote.net At Meetings In the Community

Step 2: Voter Education Conducting Nonpartisan voter education efforts with your communities. Webinar: Voter Education For Nonprofits

Voter Education -On the Voting Process Display or distribute sample ballots, voter guides and voter assistance hotline information When: Election date, vote by mail deadlines, polling hours (7am -8pm) Where: Finding your polling place How: Voting equipment, how to vote absentee, where to get help voting Special Circumstances: Ex-offender Helpful Resources: Helpful Hotlines: Ve-Y-Vota &

Voter Education -On the Issues DO educate your community on the issues that matter to your organization. DO educate all the candidates on issues that matter to the people you serve. Do advocate and educate on Ballot Measures – you can take a position DON’T tell voters which candidate is best on your issue or who to vote for. Helpful Resources: Easy Voter Guide, CGS Video Voter

Voter Education -On Candidates DO distribute sample ballots showing all local races DO co-sponsor a candidate forum or do a candidate questionnaire DO give people nonpartisan voter guides, lists of websites of all candidates, etc. DON’T rate candidate’s positions on issues at election time Helpful Resource: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum

Pollworker & Polling Place Encourage staff or clients to sign up as pollworkers. Earn $$ - up to $105 Need to be registered voter Student pollworker program Bilingual pollworkers are often needed Sign your nonprofit up as a polling place Familiar location for patients $25 for your nonprofit Visit for more information

Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote Prepare Staff: staff meeting & communications, payroll stuffers Make it Personal: conversations about voting Give Voters the Assistance they Need: help reduce common barriers to voting Turn Up the (nonpartisan) Volume: final days before an election Identify a Message: make a connection & avoid negative messages Sign up to be a pollworker or have your nonprofit be a polling place Webinar: GOTV & Election Day for Nonprofits

Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote Activity Ideas for the Last 2 Weeks Before the Election Create Visibility: put up posters, set up voter info table, Provide Help: prepare staff, ask about voting, rides to the polls, call constituents Raise the Stakes: use all forms of communication, integrate more, provide translated material On Election Day: remind people, allow staff to do GOTV activities or volunteer as poll workers Helpful Resource: A dozen easy ways to get out the vote

Why We Vote Have a Reason to Vote Candidate, competition, issues Personal Contact From family, friend, nonprofit Low Barriers It’s easy and accessible A habit learned from family and community

Questions? Marcy Koukhab Sarah Pillsbury Project DirectorProject Partner California Participation Project (213)