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Nonprofit VOTE
GETTING-OUT-THE-VOTEFOR NONPROFITS
October 21, 2010
AGENDA
• Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement• Staying Nonpartisan • GOTV• On Election Day
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WHY VOTING?
•The Nonprofit Community is perfectly suited to this work•Clout!•Public policies that represent our communities•Stronger, healthier communities
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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 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 Education• Get Out The Vote (GOTV)• Election Day Activities
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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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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
We’re almost at the finish line. Time for that final push!
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
4 out of 10 registered voters do not turn out in a midterm election….
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
Therefore, ensuring that your communities get the help they need and make it to the polls on Election Day is one of the most important activities you, as a nonprofit, can do.
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
Getting-Out-The-Vote: efforts on or just before Election Day to help your community members get to the polls.
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTEGOTV starts earlier now! • Early voting is gaining
popularity – 1 in 3 voters vote early.• Let your community know about
the opportunity to vote early – how and where to do it.
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE…………………..……………………………..….• Provide Help–Orient staff to answer basic election questions
or where a voter can get help voting–When providing services, ask people if they’re
planning to vote and if they need help–Help people vote early – 1 of 3 voters are
early voters–Make it a critical part of every
program on or near Election Day
GET-OUT-THE-VOTE• The date of the election- Tuesday, Nov. 2• Help with finding polling place locations• Distribution of sample ballots and voter
guides• Connection to help such as:–Nonpartisan rides-to-the-polls–Translation at the polls–Disability assistance at the polls
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
• Help people understand what will happen at the polls, including:– Id requirements –Election Day Registration –Provisional Ballots
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTEPeople need a reason to vote. It is your job to communicate a sense of urgency and turn up the nonpartisan volume in the final days leading up to the Election. Why does your organization care about helping your community vote? Communicate that!
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GETTING-OUT-THE-VOTE
Make this about your community and make it a celebration!!
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GETTING-OUT-THE-VOTE
•Consider:–Where are your points
of contact? –Your trusting
relationships –High traffic areas –Community events
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
• Every person in contact with your agency should know it is Election Day.– All outgoing emails and email signatures– Website– Social Media– Text Messages– Newsletter
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE…………………..……………………………..….• Create Visibility– The election should be visible to everyone who walks
into your agency or attends any of your trainings or events– Put up Vote November 2 signage – posters, flyers, etc
- throughout the lobby and all public spaces–Make announcements or hold discussions at
meetings, events, classes, etc– Encourage media popular with the people you serve
to promote the election and where voters can find help
GET-OUT-THE-VOTE• Sample activities:– Hold a mock election at your
nonprofit– Teach voting vocabulary words– Hold a debate watching party
or a party to watch the results come in on Election Day– Hold a Trick or Vote event– Pass out sample ballots– Create a simple handout with
information on: • what races are on the ballot• how to vote• polling place locations• ballot initiatives
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
•More Sample activities:–Call through your list of
constituents and ask people if they know where to go to vote on Election Day. –Offer rides to the polls or
connect constituents to those offering rides
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE
• Special Activities–Discuss the election with those who are not
citizens and ways they can participate as a volunteer or helping others vote.–Make sure that people with disabilities know
their rights and know where and how to vote on Election Day–Make sure ex-offenders understand
their right to vote.
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GET-OUT-THE-VOTE…………………..……………………………..….
GET-OUT-THE-VOTE…………………..……………………………..….• Principles of GOTV –Make it Personal –Get Voters the Help They Need–Turn up the (Nonpartisan) Volume
ELECTION DAY…………………..……………………………..….• On Election Day–Make Election day special. Treat it like day both of
political importance and time celebrate democracy– Allow staff to spend part or all of Election Day doing
nonpartisan get out the vote activities– Encourage your staff and volunteers to sign up as poll
workers or translators– Ask everyone you connect with if they’ve voted or
need help voting– Put up big “Vote Today” signs with a number to call or
place to go for help– Have an Election day party
MORE RESOURCES…………………..……………………………..….
More Resources at www.nonprofitvote.orgWebinar page – Download or view past webinarsNonprofit Voter Participation Starter Kit – Order free copy501c3 Online Guide to Nonpartisan Voter Participation –dowloadable or watch the narrated online training presentationHosting a Candidate Forum – Download the print publication or watch the narrated online training presentationLearn About Voting in Your State – State by state voting information provided in cooperation with the National Association of Secretaries of StateFact sheets, checklists and moreLinks to voter guides and sample ballots
