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EVERY VOTE COUNTS!VoterEngagement BasicsForNonprofits
September 14, 2010
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Presented by
Democracy NC
Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network
N.C. Center for Nonprofits
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AgendaI. Why voter engagement is importantII. Voting basicsIII. What 501(c)(3) nonprofits can and
can’t doIV. Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be
involvedV. Resources to make it easy
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Why Voting?• Stronger and healthier communities• People who vote are more likely to
volunteer, advocate, or be active in civic life of their communities• Public policies that represent our
communities
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Voter Turnout in the 2006 Midterm Election
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Why Nonprofits?• Nonprofits can reinforce that voting is
safe, easy, and important• Size of our sector• Trust of our communities• Access to underrepresented populations•We’re nonpartisan
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YOU are the Trusted Voices in Your Communities
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Voting Basics• November 2: Election Day• Poll hours: 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.• October 8: General election registration
closes• October 14-30: Early voting and same-day
registration in every county• October 26: Deadline to request absentee
ballot. They must be postmarked by November 2.
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Voting Basics• Voter Registration
Surge in 2008, but 1 million still unregistered Pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds Rights of former felons Foreclosure and residency
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Voting Basics• Early Voting: All-Purpose Solution
Update registration Register for first time Solve problems related to moving, etc. Organize turnout
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Voting Basics• Instant runoff voting• Provisional ballots• Get Help Voting phone numbers
N.C. Board of Elections866-522-4723
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials(NALEO)888-VE-Y-VOTA
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What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
The IRS places only one restriction (or opportunity) on nonprofits doing voter engagement work…
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A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party. That means no endorsements or rating of candidates.
What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
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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) Host a nonpartisan candidate forum or
candidate questionnaire
What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
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Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock.
Hint:Don’t use any of your nonprofit’s resources for this
What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
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What CAN’T you do?•501(c)(3) nonprofits can’t
Endorse a candidate Make a contribution to a campaign or
political party Rate candidates Offer resources to candidates unequally
What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
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• Some gray areas Candidate appearances at nonprofit events Use of your mailing list or office space by
candidates Candidates serving on your board Issue advocacy immediately before the
election
What 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Can & Can’t Do
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Ideas for ways your nonprofit can be involved
• Voter registration• Get Out The Vote• Voter education
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Voter Registration• Publicize and promote voter registration
deadlines and how-to’s • Announce registration deadlines at events, in
newsletters, in e-blasts, or on your website• Talk about registering to vote at staff or board
meetings. Ask new staff if they are registeredto vote.• Put up posters advertising voter registration
deadlines, along with where to get and return voter registration forms
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Voter Registration• Conduct In-House Voter Registration
Train staff members who have direct contact with community members
Assign a staff member to plan and direct voter registration activities
Make voter registration forms available and offer voter registration to new clients at intake
Designate a staff person to promptly return forms to your Local Election Office
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Voter Registration
Promote the when, where, and how of voting
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Voter Education• Promote the message that “Your Vote
Counts!”• Give out voter registration forms and
sample ballots• Put up a poster in your lobby• Give out voting information cards• Give out candidate guides• Be a resource for questions
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Get Out The Vote(GOTV)
• Principles of GOTV Make it personal Get voters the help they
need Turn up the (nonpartisan)
volume
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GOTV• Create Visibility
The election should be visible to everyone who walks into your organization or attends any of your trainings or events
Put up Vote November 2 signage Announce or discuss at meetings, events,
classes, etc. Encourage media to promote the election and
where voters can find help
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GOTV• Provide Help – In a Nonpartisan Way!
Orient staff to answer basic election questions or where to get help
When providing services, ask people if they’re planning to vote and if they need help
Help people vote early – 1 out of 3 voters are early voters
Advertise rides to the polls or where to get help – but in a nonpartisan way
Call a list of your constituents about voting
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GOTV• On Election Day
Allow and encourage your staff to do nonpartisan get out the vote activities on election day
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!
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Resources to Make It Easy• “A Voter Participation Starter Kit” – free
at www.nonprofitvote.org• Posters – available at the 2010 Conference & Public
Policy Forum: www.ncnonprofits.org/conference.asp• Voting Information Cards –
www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010electioncards.pdf
• Candidate Guides – statewide: www.ncvoterguide.org• Websites
1) www.ncnonprofits.org/advocacy/2010election.asp2) www.ncelectionconnection.com3) www.nonprofitvote.org
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Presenters
• Bob Hall ([email protected])Executive Director, Democracy NC
• David Heinen ([email protected])Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, N.C. Center for Nonprofits
• Sally Migliore ([email protected])Director for Collaboration and Training, N.C. Center for Nonprofits