California Participation ProjectVoter Participation Training

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

Nonpartisan

Nonprofit Voter

Engagement

Gap in Turnout in CA - 2006

56%

38% 37% 34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

White Black Latino Asian

Voter Participation in California for 2006 Midterm ElectionPercent turnout of citizen eligible voters

Rise in Voter Turnout in CA

57%

60%

62%

50%

52%

54%

56%

58%

60%

62%

64%

2000 2004 2008

California Turnout Rising% turnout of eligible voters - presidential elections

37%

41%

35%

36%

37%

38%

39%

40%

41%

42%

2002 2006

California Turnout Rising% turnout of eligible voters - midterm elections

It Matters Who Votes

Y es on Minimum Wage (Ohio) - 2006

80%

39%

20%30%

40%50%60%70%

80%90%

Under$15,000

$15-30,000 $30-50,000 $50-75,000 $75-100,000 $100-$150,000

$150-200,000

Above$200,000

Why Me?

Size of Sector

1.6 million active organizations

Employing 14 million people

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

A Movement for Democracy

Clout for Your Nonprofit

Power for Your Community

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?

Creating a Plan For Your Organization

AGENDA

I. Making a Plan

II. Voter Registration

III. Voter Education

IV. Get out the Vote

Behind the Plan Get Buy In:

• Executive Director or Board of Directors

• Use voter toolkit Identify a point person:

• Program staff, public policy, direct service, communications staff

Keep it Simple Plan Around Election Deadlines:

• September – voter reg & education

• October – voter education & GOTV

Assess Your Voter Engagement Resources and Challenges

YOUR NONPROFIT

Who’s Involved: Front office staff, volunteers & interns, program staff, communications team, partners

TARGETWho is your Audience: Staff, Board, Volunteers and Constituents

COMMUNICATEPoints of Contacts: How you’ll reach your audience?

INTEGRATEWhere: points of service, 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 October 18, 2010

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 At least 18 years old by the next election Not serving time for a felony or still on parole for a felony

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.

Helpful Resource: www.lavote.net – register, check registration, & more

Step 1: Voter RegistrationDecide 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 2:Voter Education

Conducting Nonpartisan voter education efforts with your communities.

Upcoming Webinar: Voter Education For Nonprofits – September 9 & 23

Voter Education -On the Voting ProcessDisplay or distribute sample ballots, voter guides and

voter assistance hotline information

When: Election date, vote by mail deadlines, polling hours

Where: Finding your polling place

How: Voting equipment, how to vote absentee, where to get help voting

Special Circumstances: Ex-offender

Helpful Resources: CA Secretary of State, www.866ourvote.org, sample ballots

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 whose best on your issue

Helpful Resources: Easy Voter Guide, www.smartvoter.org, CGS Video Voter

Voter Education -On Candidates

DO distribute sample ballots showing all state and county 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

Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote

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

Upcoming Webinar: GOTV & Election Day for Nonprofits – October 14

Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote

Activity Ideas for the Last 2 Weeks Before the Election

Create Visibility: put up posters

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 Personal Contact

• From family, friend, nonprofit

Low Barriers• It’s easy and accessible

A habit learned from

family and community

Voter Participation Training & Resource FairSeptember 22, 2010

★ Learn easy steps to integrate nonpartisan voter participation into your ongoing work. ★ Get up-to-date resources and materials on voter education and voting rights. ★ Meet local nonprofit leaders and experts in the field of voting and elections.

Date: September 22, 2010Time: 9:00 AM to NoonLocation: Redwood Room The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities 1000 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012More Info: www.caparticipates.org/trainings

Questions?

Marcy Koukhab Sarah Pillsbury

Project Coordinator Project Partner

Marcy@caparticipates.org Sarah@caparticipates.org

California Participation Project

www.caparticipates.org

(213) 346-3291

Activity Planning Breakouts

Barriers to Voting for Patients Best Practices for Addressing those

Barriers Challenges for Addressing those Barriers