WHAT NONPROFIT STAFF CAN DO

in elections on and off the job

Presented by

ABOUT US

About

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:www.nonprofitvote.org

TODAY’S PRESENTERS

Who

Julian JohannesenDirector of Research and

TrainingNonprofit VOTE

George PillsburyExecutive Director

Nonprofit VOTE

AGENDA

Agenda

Voter Engagement at Work Political Activity Outside of Work Example Cases

VOTER ENGAGEMENTAT WORK

501(c)(3) Guidelines for Election Activity

Voter Registration Voter Education Candidate Engagement Get Out The Vote

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 issueAT

WORK

WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO

Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities designed to help the public participate in elections.

• Voter Registration• Voter Education• Candidate Forums• Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

ATWORK

• Promote voter registration– Use your communications and events to

announce registration deadlines, where to register.

• Conduct a voter registration activity– Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration

as part of services– Hold a voter registration event or drive

1. VOTER REGISTRATION

May not suggest which party to join or candidate to vote for.

ATWORK

2. VOTER EDUCATION

• On the process of voting– Date of the election, polling place

hours, what ID they need to vote, etc.

• On candidates and issues– Nonpartisan voter guides or a sample

ballot

Voter guides must be balanced and can’t compare your position with the candidates

ATWORK

• Invite candidates to an event

• Sponsor a candidate forum

• Prepare a candidate questionnaire

• Send candidates your policy ideas

3. CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT

• Include all candidates (not all must participate)

• Review nonpartisan guidelines on our website- www.nonprofitvote.org

ATWORK

• Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency

• Help people vote: Help people to vote early; answer questions

• Get out the vote: Contact all your constituents about voting

4. GET OUT THE VOTE

501(c)(3) nonprofits may not endorse candidates. But we may endorse voting!

ATWORK

• 501c3 nonprofits may work for or against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity

• Activity on ballot measures is lobbying. It’s influencing the passage or defeat of a law– not the election of a candidate

5. BALLOT MEASURES

ATWORK

501c3 RESOURCES

POLITICAL ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF WORK

The Basic Guideline What Nonprofit Staff Can Do

OUTSIDEWORK

Nonprofit staff are free to engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours – off the clock

THE BASIC GUIDELINE

OUTSIDEWORK

• Use nonprofit resources including your time for partisan political purposes

• Be partisan when representing your nonprofit at or outside of work

WHAT TO AVOID

OUTSIDEWORK

• What: – Volunteer on campaigns– Attend political events– Support your candidate– Run for office

• When: – Personal time outside work hours – On vacation– On personal days– On unpaid leave

WHAT STAFF CAN DO

OUTSIDEWORK

EXAMPLES Partisan Communications at Work Using Your Nonprofit Resources Communicating with Volunteers Appearing at Events & Fundraisers Going Public with Your Support Running for Office EXAMPLES

• Phone calls and emails– Keeping it separate– Incidental use ok

• Social media accounts– Higher standards for

Executive Directors

PARTISAN COMMUNICATIONS AT WORK

EXAMPLES

• Public space (if available to all)

• Reimbursed use of phones, etc?

USING YOUR NONPROFIT RESOURCES

501c3 nonprofits may not use resources for partisan purposes

EXAMPLES

• Volunteers• Showing your colors

(Political attire, etc)

COMMUNICATING WITH STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

EXAMPLES

• Guidelines for all staff• Guidelines for

Executive Director

APPEARING AT EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS

EXAMPLES

• Being listed on Campaign Literature/Websites

• Using an *asterix

GOING PUBLIC WITH YOUR SUPPORT

EXAMPLES

• Keeping your campaign outside your office

• Taking a leave of absence to do more

RUNNING FOR OFFICE

EXAMPLES

• Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org

RESOURCES

Resources

MORE RESOURCES

Resources

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info@nonprofitvote.org

617.357.VOTE (8683)

www.nonprofitvote.org

Nonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111

George Pillsburygpillsbury@nonprofitvote.org

Julian Johannesen

julian@nonprofitvote.org