Voting is Social Work Nonpartisan voter engagement in Nevada Nancy A Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work

Today’s webinar Third in our series… Why voter engagement and empowerment should be part of social work practice; How to create a culture of voting in all practice settings; Webinar today: How to do nonpartisan voter registration, education and outreach. Vote

Your presenters Lindsey Hodel, National Field Director, Nonprofit Vote Christopher Kloth, Civic Engagement Organizer, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Tanya Rhodes Smith, Director, Nancy A Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work Julian Johannesen, Director of Research and Training, Nonprofit Vote Vote

About Us– Nonprofit Vote Founded in 2005, Nonprofit VOTE partners with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote. We are a leading source of nonpartisan training, materials and other resources for nonprofits doing voter engagement work. Visit our site to learn more:

About us—Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada PLAN We bring together diverse organizations into one cohesive force and work on a number of social issues, including: civic engagement, economic justice, environmental justice, immigration, and mining.

Objectives for today’s webinar Go into more detail on nonpartisan voter registration and rules in Nevada; Share resources in Nevada so you know where to go for help; Give you a chance to ask questions. Vote

Nonpartisan Voter Registration Voter Reg

Voter registration in Nevada How to fill out a paper voter registration form Forms must be mailed or hand delivered to: WASHOE COUNTY Elections Department: Luanne Cutler, Registrar of Voters 1001 E. Ninth Street, RM A135 P.O. Box Reno, NV (775) FAX (775) Website: WASHOE COUNTY Elections Mailing Address: P.O. Box Reno, Nevada If you've moved, changed your name, want to change party affiliation, or otherwise have to update your voter registration status, you must submit another voter application form. Voter Reg

Voter registration in Nevada How to register online Voter Reg

Voter registration in Nevada Important dates to remember when registering voters: All voter registration forms are due at the election office/registrar within 10 days of them being filled out.  The Democratic Caucus is held on February 20, 2016  You can re-register as a Democrat same day as Caucus  The Republican Caucus is held on February 23, 2016  The last day to re-register as a Republican is February 13, 2016 *It is important to remember that you must be registered for one of the two major parties in order to caucus. Voter Reg

Special populations in NV Individuals with a felony conviction: Voting rights are restored automatically after sentence completion (end of parole period) if convicted of a non-violent felony. Those convicted of a violent felony and all second-time felony offenders (whether violent or non-violent) can only have their rights restored by the court in which they were convicted. Persons who are homeless: The homeless have the right to vote in all 50 states. Acceptable addresses can include a shelter, street corner or park. Victims of Domestic Violence: Nevada’s Attorney General administers the Confidential Address Program. To apply: Nevada Confidential Address Program PO BOX 2743 Carson City, NV Toll Free: Local: FAX: Voter Reg

Special populations in NV (cont.) Registration Accommodations for persons with disabilities: If someone is unable to sign their name because of a physical disability, there are accomodations available: (1) a signature stamp that meets the standards of the Office of Disability Services; or (2) to register in-person at the Election Department; or (3) if unable to appear in- person, the Election Department will send an official.Election Department There are accommodations on election day to accommodate persons with disabilities. For more information, go to: Voter Reg

Important rules to remember Collect forms and mail them within X days to the County Election Department. Check voter registration status online: Request voter registration forms from (should we direct people to National Form since NV is strict about the number they issue? ) What else?

Planning a Registration Drive When: Special events, near an election, meetings Keep in mind: Some are already registered or can’t because of their status Updating an address or name is just as important as registering for the first time Vote

Registration Tips Embed voter registration into your agency’s operations: ❑ Check in/waiting rooms ❑ Intake/renewal forms ❑ Voter registration tables at special events When engaging clients, remind them that elected officials pay attention to voters! Communities that don’t vote are often less of a priority. Set a goal of how many people you want to register to vote Make voter registration visible ❑ Use social media ❑ Put up posters ❑ Keep clients and colleagues informed Remember: Changing an address requires a new registration form. Vote

Nonpartisan Voter Education Vote

Two Kinds of Voter Education Education on the process of voting Inform clients and constituents of the date of the election, polling place hours, where to get help voting, early voting opportunities, etc. Education on candidates/offices and issues Pass out nonpartisan voter guides or a sample ballot Voter Education Vote

Nonpartisan Voter Education Process ❑ Provide education on dates, times, and places for polling ❑ Answer FAQs regarding how to get out and vote ❑ Make the election visible Candidates / Issues ❑ Provide candidate questionnaires which allows all candidates the opportunity to answer a variety of questions ❑ Be neutral when discussing candidates / issues – not your personal opinion! ❑ Pass out sample ballots and voter guides Vote

Voter Outreach--GOTV Vote

Get Out the Vote Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency Promote Early Voting Absentee ballots when appropriate Promote Election Day voting Big push in final week and last 2 days Remind/offer help voting during services, at events, over the phone Send reminders to vote via , postcards or phone calls. GOTV Vote

Applying Voter Registration to Field Engage your field instructor Field instructors have received a letter from the school regarding your assignment. Have a conversation about why voter registration is important for your agency. Brainstorm creative ways to engage voter registration that won’t take away from agency activities. Vote

Assignment for MSW Students and 400 level BSW students (not BSW 250 course) Addressing the following: name of agency and services provided; description based in data of agency client population; agency auspices; estimated voter participation of client population based upon census data and current national trends; objectives of drive; timeline for drive; specific strategies for increasing voter engagement within the agency; documentation of agency approval..

Using Pledge Cards Pledge cards are used to gather contact information from already registered voters in an effort to remind them to vote. Pledge cards collect name, address, and/or phone number. A contact is made near election time to remind registered voters to go out to the polls. The reminder may also include helpful information like the date of the election or location of polling place. In 1996, Rock the Vote used pledge cards in hopes that personal messaging would persuade participants come out and vote. It worked! Vote

For More Information or support For information on voter engagement in Nevada, please contact: PLAN, or For research, fact sheets, marketing materials and other information, see Nonproit Vote’s website: For information about brining this to unit to your school and all other questions, please contact The Nancy A Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work