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Nonprofit VOTE VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS FOR NONPROFITS July 22, 2010
Nonprofit VOTE
VOTER REGISTRATION BASICSFOR NONPROFITS
July 22, 2010
AGENDA• Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement–Why voting?–Why nonprofits?
• Voter Registration–Voter Registration in Nonprofits –Make Your Plan–Train Your Staff–Communications – In-agency voter registration
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WHY VOTING?
•Stronger, healthier communities•Public policies that represent our communities•Clout for your organization
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WHY VOTING?
•Safe•Easy•Important
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WHY NONPROFITS?
• Size of our sector • Trust of our communities • Access to underrepresented populations• Social missions• Interest in good government • Nonpartisanship
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YOU are the Trusted Voices in Your Communities
EXPANDING DEMOCRACY
•What we know about creating new voters–Personal contact –Repeat messages from
multiples sources–Voting is a habit
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STAYING NONPARTISAN
The IRS places only one restriction (or opportunity) on nonprofits doing voter engagement work
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STAYING NONPARTISAN
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party.
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STAYING NONPARTISAN
•What CAN you do?–Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter
engagement activities designed to educate the public and help them participate in elections• Voter Registration• Voter Education• Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
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WHAT STAFF CAN DO
Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock.
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VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter Registration: One small step in the larger cycle of nonprofit voter engagement
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LIKE JOINING A GYM….
…there’s a lot more to do to get in shape.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Increasingly, as people are registered by other sources, nonprofits should focus their efforts on voter education and helping people vote (GOTV)
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VOTER REG: Step 1
Make Your Action Plan!
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Action Plan
First determine how you want to communicate about voter registration….from simply promoting the deadlines to registering voters at your agency
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ACTION PLAN
Remember! –Close to the voter registration deadline
(the month before) is the best time for communicating about voter registration.–To remind people that they need
to re-register if they have moved or changed their name
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COMMUNICATIONS
Publicize and promote voter registration deadlines and how-to’s in: • Your website • E-communications• Printed newsletters• Posters in your agency’s lobby• Regular materials distributed to clients, community members, staff, board and volunteers
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IN-AGENCY VOTER REG
First consider….Where are your EXISTING key points of contact with your community and constituents?
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IN-AGENCY VOTER REG
Next, select a point person to direct your in-agency voter registration activities
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IN-AGENCY VOTER REG
Decide on your approach: • Make forms available with signage •Train staff to conduct voter registration and turn forms
in promptly
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USE YOUR INNER CIRCLE
• Board • Staff • Volunteers
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POINTS OF CONTACT
• Classes • Intake • Point of service• Community events
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VOTER REGISTRATION
Get to know the voter registration rules in your state
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TRAIN YOUR STAFF
• On eligibility requirements in your state• How to fill out a form • How to be nonpartisan• Talking points specific to your
mission
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MORE RESOURCES…………………..……………………………..….•Many states now allow you to check the
status of your registration online– http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state.html
• States with ONLINE Voter Reg:– Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Oregon, Utah,
Washington
• States with SAME DAY Voter Reg:– Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire,
North Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming and D.C. (North Dakota does not require voter registration)
MORE RESOURCES…………………..……………………………..….• Visit our site to download our Guide to
Voter Registration– http://www.nonprofitvote.org/guides-and-toolkits.html
• Visit Project Vote to download their state by state guides to voter registration – http://www.projectvote.org/voter-registration-guidance.html
• Visit Rock the Vote to learn about their voter registration tool and partnership program– http://www.rockthevote.com/partner/
