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Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010
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Page 1: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

Nonprofit VOTE

VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS

September 23, 2010

Page 2: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

AGENDA

• Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement–Why voting?–Why nonprofits?

• Staying nonpartisan • Nonprofit voter education defined • How to: Integrated voter education

tactics

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Page 3: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

WHY VOTING?• Stronger, healthier communities• Public policies that represent our communities• Increased access to decision-makers• Improved chances of parity in social institutions• Improved social and economic justice• Capacity for your organization• Clout for your organization

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Page 4: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

WHY VOTING?

•Safe•Easy•Important

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Page 5: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.
Page 6: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

WHY NONPROFITS?• Size of our sector • Trust of our communities • Access to underrepresented populations• Social missions• Interest in good government • Nonpartisanship

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Page 8: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

EXPANDING DEMOCRACY

•What we know about creating new voters–Personal contact –Repeat messages from

multiples sources–Voting is a habit

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Page 9: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

STAYING NONPARTISAN

The IRS places only one restriction (or opportunity) on nonprofits doing voter engagement work

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Page 10: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

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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Page 11: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

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 Registration• Voter Education• Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

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Page 12: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

WHAT STAFF CAN DO

Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock.

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Page 13: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

Nonprofit Voter Education: educating your communities on the when, where, how and why of voting.

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Page 14: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

•Knowledge About the Voting Process•Confidence about Casting a Ballot•Urgency and Importance

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Page 15: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

•When–Election date –Deadline to vote by

mail or vote early– Polling hours

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Page 16: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

•Where–Polling places –Early voting locations

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Page 17: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

• How–Eligibility – Id requirements –How to vote absentee or

early in-person–Rides to the polls –Election Day Registration –Resources for help voting

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Page 18: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

•Why –What’s at stake? –What’s on the ballot?

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Page 19: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

•Consider:–Where are your points

of contact? –Your trusting

relationships –High traffic areas –Community events

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Page 20: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

• Sample activities:– Posters in your agency’s lobby

with election date and polling place hours – Distribute sample ballots and

voter guides – Help people find their polling

place

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Page 21: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION • Sample activities:– Hold a mock election at your

nonprofit– Teach voting vocabulary words– Discuss the principles of a fair

democracy or fair election. – Pass out voter registration

forms or sample ballots– Cover specifics for your area • what races are on the ballot• how to vote• polling place locations• ballot initiatives.

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Page 22: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION

• Special Activities–Make it a party: Hold a special event about

the election for one of your programs. –Discuss the election with those who are not

citizens and ways they can participate as a volunteer or helping others vote.–Make sure ex- offenders understand

their right to vote.

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Page 23: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION• Sample Ballots–Sample ballots help voters feel more

comfortable with the process of voting and have more confidence going to cast their ballot. Print out copies and post them in your lobby, or have a stack of them available in waiting rooms and intake areas, bring them to all points of contact and/or along with handouts of printed materials.

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Page 24: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER EDUCATION • Candidate Questionnaires and Voter

Guides–Distribute nonpartisan questionnaires and

guides from other organizations like a nonprofit coalition, local League of Women Voters or local newspapers

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Page 25: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER/ CANDIDATE EDUCATION

• Candidate Forums –Promote candidate forums in your area–Checkout our “Nonprofits Guide to Hosting a

Candidate Forum”–Co-host with other organizations–Cover a broad range of issues – Invite all viable candidates–Confirm with candidates–Turnout is EVERYTHING!

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Page 26: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

VOTER/ CANDIDATE EDUCATION

• Candidate Education– Invite candidates to tour your agency and talk

with community members and get to know the issues that your organization cares about.

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Page 27: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

• Education your community about initiatives that will appear on the ballot –Nonprofits may work on behalf of or against

ballot initiatives as part of regular lobbying activities.

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Page 28: Nonprofit VOTE VOTER EDUCATION FOR NONPROFITS September 23, 2010.

Contact Us!

Nonprofit VOTE

www.nonprofitvote.org Bridgette Rongitsch

[email protected]