The real deal (1)

transcript

Building Democracy

The importance of non-partisan registration in 2012

Thursday, September 8, 2011

-Ari Berman, Rolling Stone Magazine

"I don't want everybody to vote," the influential

conservative activist Paul Weyrich told a gathering of

evangelical leaders in 1980. "As a matter of fact, our

leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the

voting populace goes down."

"I don't want everybody to vote," the influential

conservative activist Paul Weyrich told a gathering of

evangelical leaders in 1980. "As a matter of fact, our

leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the

voting populace goes down."

Its the struggle we’ve been in for 200 years

It begins with the right to vote

A right that many before us have dedicated their lives to securing

We make progress when we

and fight.

Its time to support the fight.

Because every citizen deserves the right to vote.

IVOTED

Because every citizen deserves the right to vote.

IVOTED

Todaynot everyone

has the same

Todaynot everyone

VoiceThursday, September 8, 2011

At the great equalizer--the ballot box...

0%Rest of Population

African American

Unmarried Women

Youth American Indian

Asian/PacificIslander

Hispanic

Not everyone is equally representedVoter Registration Rates

African American

Unmarried Women

Hispanic

Not everyone is equally representedVoter Registration Rates

What would it take to achieve

registration equality?

What would it take to achieve

registration equality?

7.4 million registrations

Its not enough to engage only those who are already registered. I

Are the futureThose who are not yet registered

Will also shape the future

Registered

Didn’t voteIn 2008, for every 1 of these voters who were registered but didn’t vote...

RegisteredNOT

There were 4more who werenever registered

This struggle for registration equality has become more urgent than ever before

because...

Our country is changing

By 2018, people of color and unmarried women will be a majority of the citizen voting age population

This is the Emerging Majority

And they could dramatically shi! the landscape of American politics

But only if they are registered to vote.

IVOTED

But only if they are registered to vote.

IVOTED

We’ve come a long way

TO CLOSING THE REGISTRATION GAP

African Americans Latinos Asian Americans Youth Unmarried Women

Registrants

In 2012, we can significantly narrow the gap that remains:

African American

Unmarried Women

Hispanic

Voter Registration Rates

If the Emerging Majority were registered at the same rate as the rest of the population, the

electorate would grow by 7.4 million new voters.

And achieve the most representative democracy in our country’s history.

We know the journey won’t be easy

The Emerging Majority is already changing our future as a country

Change makes some people nervous

That’s why on the heels of our greatestregistration success in 2008...

...our country is facing the greatest assault on voting rights in 50 years.

This is where the Emerging Majority lives:

XX X X

XXX XX

XXXXXX

They’ve introduced laws requiring photo ID, costing American tax payers money to exercise their basic rights.

XX X X

XXX XX

XXXXXX

They’ve passed laws making it harder to conduct voter registration drives

XX X X

XXX XX

XXXXXX

Anti Same-day Registration Laws

XX X X

XXX XX

XXXXXX

And they have discredited organizations dedicated to bringing new voters into our democracy.

XX X X

XXXX XX X

XXX XX

We have a choice to make

Retreat in the face of challenge

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

Collaborate

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

Collaborate

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

Collaborate

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

Collaborate

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

Collaborate

Deepenour

Resolve

Re-commit

Re-invest

..and work smarter than ever before.

Collaborate

We’re digging in and getting ready...

Our plans for 2012

We believe we can make progress toward representational democracy in at least 22 states

in 2012

But it won’t happen naturally, without resources, focus and organizing

Our goal is to register 5.6 million voters in 22 states and it will cost $60 Million

We’re designing our voter registration programs to take head on the challenges we

know exist.

The Emerging Majority is younger than the rest of the electorate

CHALLENGE

Age 18-29Age 30+

Rest of Electorate

Age 18-29Age 30+

CHALLENGE

Age 18-29Age 30+

Emerging MajorityRest of Electorate

We are meeting them where they are.

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

SOLUTION

Online

BirthdayPrograms

SOLUTION

Online

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

SOLUTION

Online

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

TrustedMessenger

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

TrustedMessenger

Events

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

TrustedMessenger

Events

Congregation

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

TrustedMessenger

Events

Door-to-DoorCongregation

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

BirthdayPrograms

Movers

Peer-to-Peer

TrustedMessenger

Events

HSDoor-to-DoorCongregation

The Emerging Majority has borne the brunt of the economic crisis

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure Foreclosure

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure

Unemployment and record foreclosures hits the Emerging Majority hardest of all.

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure Foreclosure

CHALLENGE

Foreclosure

Rest of Population

Foreclosure

White, NonHispanic

Foreclosure

EmergingMajority

Foreclosure

UnmarriedWomen

Foreclosure

People ofColor

% population that has moved in past 4 years

33%35%

46% 46% 47%

So in 2012, our targeted work will include re-registering those who have recently moved.

SOLUTION

Movers

Emerging Majority voters are not always easy to find

CHALLENGE

So in 2012 we are working to integrate mail, online and field programs more than ever

before.

SOLUTION

before.

SOLUTION

Online

before.

SOLUTION

Online

before.

SOLUTION

Online

before.

SOLUTION

Online

before.

SOLUTION

Online

Mail Field

We need to learn more about best practices for voter registration in the current climate

CHALLENGE

We are developing a research agenda for 2012

SOLUTION

We are also working together and learning from each other

EmergencyResponse

VolunteerRecruitment

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

ManagementThursday, September 8, 2011

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

We’ll start cross-training in:

ConsistentData

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

Management

And we are developing :

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

Management

Shared Budgeting

EmergencyResponse

&Leadership

VoterRegistration

Law & Practices

ConsistentData

Management

Shared Budgeting

Outcomes Systems

To do this, we need to work together.

WHY INVEST NOW?

to steward our

Voter RegistrationIs an effective way

ResourcesThursday, September 8, 2011

It is the most predictable and cost-effective method for voter turnout

GOTV and voter education are important techniques but registration generates more votes

This year, we can test to demonstrate impact.

Expenditure per Voter

Probability of Impact

Turnout $80* Most of the time

Registration $12 Most of the time

Voter registration leverages the heat of elections. It is more effective in Presidential years when people

are engaged and there is increased media attention.

Once registered, about 70% of new voters will turn out to vote in their first Presidential cycle.

And once they vote, they are 49% more likely to keep voting

THE BENEFITS

When we succeed, we will achieve registration equality for the first time in

American history

African American

Unmarried Women

Hispanic

Voter Registration Equality

Tipping the balance of power

the Emerging Majority can

hold the balance of

power in many close

elections.

As we approach registration equality

Presidential Senate House

Elections where independent voter registration exceeded margin of victory in 2008

OH (1,15)

(8,25)

MNAL (2)

CT (4)

LA (3,4,5)

over another

This does not favorany party

or candidate

But it means in close elections, if the Emerging Majority are registered, they can make the

difference.

Their voices

Their voicesare more likely

to be heard

Their voicesare more likely

And if they

And if theyare

LILLY LEDBETTERHEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA

AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT ACTFINANCIAL REFORM

START TREATYS-CHIP REAUTHORIZATION

CREDIT CARD ACTMATHEW SHEPARD AND JAMES BYRD

HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACTDADT

It can make a difference in policy priorities

LILLY LEDBETTERHEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA

AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT ACTFINANCIAL REFORM

START TREATYS-CHIP REAUTHORIZATION

CREDIT CARD ACTMATHEW SHEPARD AND JAMES BYRD

HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACTDADT

It can make a difference in policy priorities

Strengthening our Democracy

Democracy is not only built on Election DayThursday, September 8, 2011

...but also through the hard work it takes to engage voters a!erwards

Voter registration is an essential entry point to democracy

...and if done correctly, it can strengthen civic participation by turning voters into changemakers

Newly RegisteredVoter

Volunteer Activist Changemaker

GETTING TO WORK

We’ve already begun the hard work we know it will take to move our country forward

In 2012 over 60 organizations will be working together to register voters

across AMERICA

We saw what was possible with commitment and investment...

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Registration Inequality

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Registration Inequality

Registrationssubmitted byindependent

groups

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

When independent groups are well funded

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

When independent groups are well funded

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

The inequality gap decreases

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

We can’t take it for granted that voter registration will happen on its own

We’ve seen what happens when we don’t have the resources necessary

11,250

15,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Voter registration will not happen if we don’t

act together

Will you join us?Thursday, September 8, 2011

Will you join us?

Together, we can rebuild our democracy and start

to rebuild America.

Together, we can rebuild our democracy and start

to rebuild America.

The real deal (1)

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