READY, SET, REGISTER N ONPROFIT V OTER R EGISTRATION Presented by

ABOUT US About 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:

TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Julian Johannesen Director of Research and Training Nonprofit VOTE Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter Nonprofit Outreach Coordinator Democracy North Carolina

AGENDA Agenda Why Voter Registration & Why Nonprofits Nonpartisan Guidelines Making a Plan Doing Voter Registration

In 2012… –220 million Americans are eligible to vote –51 million are not registered –24 million need to update their address* * Pew_Upgrading_Voter_Registration.pdf OPPORTUNITY 2012 Preparing For 2012

9 out of 10 registered voters will turn out to vote in a presidential election Voter registration is the first step on the road to becoming an active and engaged voter Registered voters are more likely to join neighborhood activities, contact elected officials and be active citizens* * and-non-registered-eligible-citizens/ WHY VOTER REGISTRATION Why Voter Registration

Longer term benefits to your organizations and your community: Get the Attention of Candidates Build Community Clout Foster Community-Based Leadership WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED) Why Voter Registration

WHY NONPROFITS Nonprofits have impact! A 2010 study of voter outreach by nonprofit service providers showed that: #1Clients contacted by an agency about voting were more likely to vote #2Their likelihood of voting rose with each additional voter contact #3Those contacted were also more likely to talk to family and friends about voting Nonprofit Impact

NONPARTISAN GUIDELINES Nonpartisan Guidelines

THE BASIC GUIDELINE A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization MAY NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations MAY engage in nonpartisan: Voter Registration Voter Education Get Out The Vote Efforts Nonpartisan Guidelines

When registering someone to vote: You may not suggest that they join a particular political party You may explain the consequences of registering without party affiliation You may direct people to the internet or other resources to learn more about the parties GUIDELINES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION Nonpartisan Guidelines

MAKING A PLAN Making a Plan Getting Started Knowing the Rules

Promote voter registration –Use your communications, events, classes to announce the voter registration deadline, etc. Conduct a voter registration activity –Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration as part of services, trainings or events GETTING STARTED Making a Plan

What to expect when starting out: –Updating an address on a registration is just as important as registering for the first time –Be prepared if someone tells you they are already registered. This is why it is useful to combine registration with other activities like promoting your services or an event. GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED) Making a Plan

When planning your efforts keep the following in mind: –Designate a staff person to take the lead –Gain buy-in from the executive director and staff –Target types of activities and when and where –Connect with your local elections officials GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED) Making a Plan

Voter registration deadline –EDR Voter registration eligibility requirements –People with a past felony conviction –Age Pre-registration KNOWING THE RULES Making a Plan

People experiencing homelessness Survivors of domestic violence SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Making a Plan

DOING VOTER REGISTRATION When and Where to Do It Getting and Returning Forms Training Staff and Volunteers Promoting Your Efforts Doing Voter Reg

Registration Drive: Conduct registration over a week or a month Single Day: Focus on a single day, like a weekend or special event Closer to the Deadline is Better: The best time to do voter registration is in the couple of months leading up to the registration deadline in your state. WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION Doing Voter Reg

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY Doing Voter Reg

At your agency : –As a part of services: Integrated into intake or other interactions with constituents –Tabling: In your lobby WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION Doing Voter Reg

Outside your agency: –At events: A citizenship ceremony, a community festival –In your neighborhood: A highly trafficked location like a transit stop or shopping area WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not always effective when registering voters. Doing Voter Reg

Getting voter registration forms –Local elections office Returning voter registration forms –Turnaround time –Retaining information for GOTV GETTING AND RETURNING FORMS Doing Voter Reg

Provide training for staff and volunteers on: –Answering frequently asked questions about the voting –Answering questions about the voter registration form –Filling out the voter registration form TRAINING STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Doing Voter Reg

Frequently missed items –Eligibility check boxes –ID number –Date of birth –Party affiliation –Signature and date HELPING COMPLETE THE FORM Doing Voter Reg

Create a display in your agency using signs, posters, decorations When interacting with clients, let them know they can register to vote in your agency! Use your communications like your website and newsletter PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION Promote!

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VOTE (8683) Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter Julian Johannesen