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TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Lindsey Hodel National Field Director Nonprofit VOTE Julian Johannesen Director of Research & Training Nonprofit VOTE
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PLAN AHEAD 2016:CREATING A VOTER ENGAGEMENT TIMELINE FOR YOUR NONPROFIT
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ABOUT US
AboutUs
Founded in 2005, Nonprofit VOTE partners with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote.
We are a leading source of nonpartisan training, materials and other resources for nonprofits doing voter engagement work.
Find out more about our mission and partners on our site at www.nonprofitvote.org
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Who
Lindsey HodelNational Field Director
Nonprofit VOTE
Julian JohannesenDirector of Research & Training
Nonprofit VOTE
AGENDA
Agenda
Introduction Making a Plan
The Six Steps New Resources
Voter Engagement Tactics Voter Registration Ballot Measures & Candidate
Engagement Voter Education & Get Out
The Vote (GOTV)
• Our voices are not being heard• Voter engagement and advocacy work go together• Nonprofits have unique access and assets• When we do this work, we are extremely effective!
WHY VOTING MATTERS
Why This Matters
• 34 Senate races will take place in 2016, 9 of which are expected to be highly competitive. All 435 members of the House will be on the ballot, including 33 races that are predicted to be highly competitive. 12 states will have governor’s races. And hundreds of measures will appear on the ballot this year.
• Presidential years are good years to capitalize on the excitement and media coverage generated by the presidential race.
OPPORTUNITY 2016
Opportunity
MAKING A PLAN
• Establish Buy-In: Get buy-in from your …– Executive Director and senior
staff– Participating staff
• Designate a Staff Lead: Choose a staff lead, someone who will be the point person for your voter engagement work.
STEP ONE: ESTABLISH BUY IN
Step 1
Face to face and one on one interactions are proven to be the most effective ways to influence clients• Engaging your staff• Programs and points of contact: At your agency, at
events, or in your neighborhood
• Services or classes to target• Special programs or events: A graduation, a
community festival, a citizenship ceremony, etc.
STEP TWO: TARGET ACTIVITIES
Step 2
• Set ambitious but achievable goals– How many of your staff and volunteers
will be involved?– How many individuals can you reach?– What new capacities, skills and
knowledge can your organization gain?– What new election related activities can
you participate in?
STEP THREE: SETTING GOALS
Step 3
• Learn about voting in your state– Nonprofit VOTE’s Voting in Your State Tool:
www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/– Reach out to your local elections officials
• Review nonpartisan guidelines– Nonprofit VOTE’s online guide to c3 rules:
www.nonprofitvote.org/nonprofits-voting-elections-online/
STEP FOUR: LEARN THE VOTING RULES
Step 4
• Identify staff and volunteers who will be involved• Get riled up! Provide a rationale for the work• Initial training: Make sure they have the skills they
need.• Ongoing training and support: Periodically review
with staff what they need to know, provide materials and resources
STEP FIVE: STAFF UP AND TRAIN
Step 5
• Find allies: a non-partisan group doing voter engagement work, an advocacy partner or a voter engagement training partner
• Meet with your local election office
• Consider opportunities: around ballot measures, candidate forums or Get-Out-The-Vote activities.
STEP SIX: FIND PARTNERS
Step 6
VOTER ENGAGEMENT TACTICS
Tactics
Staying Nonpartisan Voter Registration Ballot Measure Advocacy Candidate Engagement Voter Education Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party.
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/nonprofits-voting-elections-online/
May do:• Nonpartisan voter
registration• Nonpartisan voter
education and Get-Out-The-Vote
• Candidate Engagement • Ballot measure
advocacy
STAYING NONPARTISAN
May not do:• Make an
endorsement• Donate money or
resources
VOTER REGISTRATION
• When: For the Nov. election start in July or Aug. Ramp up your activities as you near the deadline.
• Conduct a pilot of your registration efforts
STARTING VOTER REG
VoterReg
• Combine: Combine your voter registration work with a “Pledge to Vote” ask
• Updating: Some people are already registered. Others may need to update their registration with a new address or name change. Ask “Have you updated your registration since you last moved?”
KEEP IN MIND
VoterReg
• Online: Online voter registration is now available in 26 states. Any voter with a valid state ID can register to vote or update their registration online.
• EDR: In some states people can register to vote on Election Day!
KEEP IN MIND
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
FL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
AK
PA
ME
VA
NY
CT
WV
MDNJ
VT
NHMA
DE
RI
LEGEND
Online Registration
Passed, Not Yet Implemented
HI
LA
MI
GA
TX
Source: NCSL, Jan 4 2016
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
FL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
AK
PA
ME
VA
NY
CT
WV
MDNJ
VT
NHMA
DE
RI
LEGEND
Same Day or Election Day RegistrationHI
LA
MI
GA
TX
Source: NCSL, Jan 4 2016
KNOW YOUR DEADLINE
VoterReg
• September 27th is National Voter Registration Day!– www.nationalvoterregis
trationday.org/– www.celebratenvrd.org
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
VoterRegNVRD
!
BALLOT MEASURES AND CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT
VOTER EDUCATION & GET OUT THE VOTE
TWO KINDS OF VOTER EDUCATION• Education on the process of voting
– Inform clients and constituents of the date of the election, polling place hours, where to get help voting, early voting opportunities, etc.
• Education on candidates/offices and issues–Pass out nonpartisan voter guides or
a sample ballotVoter
Education
• Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency
• Promote Early Voting– When and how to vote early in
person– Help applying for a mail ballot
• Promote Election Day voting– Big push in final week and last 2
days– Remind/offer help voting during
services, at events, over the phone
GET OUT THE VOTE
GOTV
• Give staff time off: To work at polls or do nonpartisan GOTV
• Ask if you voted: Ask everyone if they voted or need help voting
• Celebrate Democracy: Make Election Day special. Have a party.
ON ELECTION DAY
ElectionDay
• Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org
RESOURCES
Resources
RESOURCES
Resources
[email protected] (8683)www.nonprofitvote.orgNonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111
Lindsey [email protected]
Julian [email protected]
