THINK LOCALLY THE VALUE OF MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Presented by

TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Efrain Escobedo Executive Liaison for the Los Angeles County Registrar- Recorder Lindsey Hodel Director of Training and Partnerships, Nonprofit VOTE

Background Quick Definitions Why Municipal Elections Are Important What to Do Resources Agenda AGENDA

BACKGROUND Background

VOTER TURNOUT BY ELECTION TYPE Type of Election Turnout Percent of Eligible Voters Presidential60% Midterm40% Mayoral25 – 30% City Council/School Board10 – 20%

Habitual and older voters Friends and supporters of the candidates City employees Those mobilized by organizations with a stake in local politics Background WHO TURNS OUT IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

Voters don’t see large differences between local elected officials--therefore voting doesn’t matter Voters are not familiar enough with local issues to make an informed decision * Voter Turnout in Municipal Elections, Collis & Reed Research, November 2009 Background REASONS FOR NOT VOTING*

QUICK DEFINITIONS Definitions

Municipal Elections –City and town elections usually held in odd years County Elections –Elections for county offices, often held in even years, combined with state or federal elections WHAT ARE “LOCAL ELECTIONS”? Definitions

Partisan Elections –Candidates represent political parties and party affiliation appears on ballot –Have party primary and general election Nonpartisan* Elections –No party affiliation printed on ballot –Have preliminary and general election * “Nonpartisan” here doesn’t mean nonpartisan for charitable purposes. The rule that “501c3s may not support or oppose a candidate for public office” still applies. Definitions PARTISAN & NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS

WHY MUNICIPAL/LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT Why Municipals

Local governments make many decisions that directly affect the lives of community members Why Municipals THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS

Local offices are frequently a first stop on the way to higher offices. Establishing a relationship now can pay off later. Why Municipals THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.

Municipal elections are an opportunity for new candidates to emerge – and to elect officials that are reflective of the community Municipals are an opportunity to cultivate habitual, life-long voters (A voter in a local election is 96% likely to vote in a presidential year - ISSI) Why Municipals THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.

Because fewer people vote, your vote will have more influence Local races can be decided by close margins and a few votes Why Municipals THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.

WHAT TO DO Candidate Engagement Voter Registration Voter Education Get Out the Vote Election Administration Local Ballot Measures What to do

Municipal and other local elections are an opportunity to both educate candidates about your issues and also build a personal relationship with them. Three Activities 1.Meet with the candidates 2.Sponsor a Candidate Forum 3.Invite candidates to an event What to do ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES

Activities 1.Meet with the candidates: Inform them about your constituency and issues What to do ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES It’s nonpartisan if: You make an effort to meet/communicate with all the candidates in a particular race

Activities 2.Sponsor a Candidate Forum: Partner with others to host a mayoral or city council forum What to do ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES Use Nonprofit VOTE’s resources: Nonprofit’s Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum Candidate Forum Checklist Webinar Training Presentation

Activities 3.Invite the Candidates: Ask local candidates to make an appearance at an event What to do ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES It’s nonpartisan if: You invite all the candidates in the race (Any number can show up) Networking ok but no fundraising or speeches

Coming off a presidential or statewide election year, expect more people to be registered Focus on the weeks close to the registration deadline Prioritize in-agency voter registration rather than door-to-door canvassing What to do VOTER REGISTRATION

Local elections receive little media attention in comparison to statewide elections and include races for offices about which people know less about. Education can play an important role in your engagement efforts. Publicize the election and issues at stake Post or distribute sample ballots or voter guides Expose your voters to the candidates What to do VOTER EDUCATION

Voting Reminders (*high importance in local elections) –Keep it personal! “Face to face” works best. –In the days leading up to and on Election Day, ask clients if they plan to vote, know the location of their polling place and its hours of operation. –On the day before and on Election Day incorporate reminders into every activity. –Organize a phone bank. What to do GET OUT THE VOTE

Vote Early In-Person or Vote by Mail –Learn your state’s rules around early voting –Inform staff and constituents about early voting options: how to vote by mail (absentee) or early in-person at designated sites or your local election office What to do GET OUT THE VOTE – CONT.

Now is good time to build a relationship with your local elections officials--meet with them Advocate for translation of ballots and elections materials Become a poll worker or translator ELECTION ADMINISTRATION What to do

Local ballot measures can decide things like whether a school district gets proper funding, whether a bus line is extended to a lower-income neighborhood, and more Take a position on local ballot measures--this is lobbying NOT electioneering LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES What to do

Factsheets and Guides available at Resources RESOURCES

Resources RESOURCES

VOTE (8683) Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA Lindsey Hodel Efrain Escobedo