VOTER ENGAGEMENT FOR NONPROFITS 2012 Milwaukee, WI.
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Transcript of VOTER ENGAGEMENT FOR NONPROFITS 2012 Milwaukee, WI.
VOTER ENGAGEMENTFOR NONPROFITS 2012
Milwaukee, WI
ABOUT US
AboutUs
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
BIG ELECTION
Agenda
50 Million More Voters
2,516,065
2,171,331
2,997,007 2,983,417
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
Nov 2004 Nov 2008 Nov 2010 June 2012
ENGAGING 500,000 NEW VOTERS
WISCONSIN VOTER TURNOUT 2004-2012
United States Election Project, Gov’t Accountability Board, WI
3.0 Million
3.0 Million
2.2 Million
2.5 Million
Top Findings on Voter Mobilization
• Personal: Being contacted by someone you know
• Timing: Biggest impact closer to the election
MAKE IT PERSONAL
VoterMobilization
MOBILIZATION GAP
Source: American National Election Studies: 2008
NONPROFIT IMPACTNonprofits have impact! A 2010 study of voter outreach by nonprofit service providers in Detroit showed that:
#1 Clients contacted by their service provider about voting were significantly more likely to vote
#2 Those contacted were also more likely to talk to family and friends about voting
www.nonprofitvote.org/research.html
NonprofitImpact
• Advancing our missions
• Creating voice for the work we do and people we serve
• Promoting civic health
WHY VOTING?
WhyVoting
WHY VOTING?
• Greater connections with neighbors and family
• More engagement in community and civic life
• Higher employment and lower recidivism rates
A building block of active citizenship, voters have:
WhyVoting
AGENDA
Agenda
Nonpartisan Guidelines Voting in Wisconsin Nonprofit Voter Engagement
o Getting Started – Principleso Voter Registrationo Working with Candidateso Getting Out The Vote
Next Steps and Resources
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 issueOneRule
WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO
IRS: Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities designed to educate the public and help them participate in elections
• Voter Registration• Voter Education• Candidate Forums• Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
Nonpartisan
WHAT STAFF CAN DO
• Nonprofit staff may engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours
Nonpartisan
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-wisconsin.html
GET STARTED
GetStarted
• Start with your staff and volunteers– Leadership buy In– Staff point person
• Find a partner• Keep it simple• What are your points of contact?
– Direct services– Classes or trainings– Meetings– Community events or outreach
• Promote voter registration– Use your communications and events to
announce registration deadlines, where to register.
• Conduct a voter registration activity– Single Day: Youth activity, citizenship ceremony,
National Voter Registration Day– Registration Drive: Hold a voter registration drive
for one to four weeks near deadline
VOTER REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
VOTER REGISTRATION PRINCIPLES
VoterRegistration
• 9 of 10 registered voters will vote in 2012• Updating an address is just as important
as registering for the first time• Combine voter registration with another
activity as many people are already registered or not eligible– Info on the election flyer or agency event
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
10 $150 Mini-grants
Aron [email protected]
www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org
• Invite to an Event: Invite candidates to a fall event
• Ask Questions: Prepare candidate questionnaire
• Sponsor a Forum: Sponsor or co-sponsor a candidate forum
CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT
3 Ways to Connect to Candidateson a nonpartisan basis
CandidateEngagement
• Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency and in your communications
• Raise the stakes: Use your issue. Vote for…vote to protect…
• Increase Volume: Increase effort in last 2 weeks. Everyone’s voting
GET OUT THE VOTE
Get OutThe Vote
Make October Get Out the Vote Month
• Be prepared: Be able to answer questions– Election Day Registration– Where to get help voting– How to find your poll
• Ask if you voted: Ask everyone if they voted or need help voting
• Celebrate Democracy: Make Election Day special. Have a party.
ELECTION DAY!
ElectionDay
IT ADDS UP
Opportunity2012
Whether 50 or 500, it adds up• Voting is contagious
• Voting is habit-forming
• Many nonprofits, schools, congregations, sororities, multiply our impact
ENDORSEVOTING
MORE RESOURCES
Resources
www.nonprofitvote.org
