Getting Started: Nonpartisan Voter Engagement for Nonprofits Presented by

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. Find out more about our mission and partners on our site ABOUT US About

TODAY’S PRESENTERS Who Lindsey Hodel National Field Director Nonprofit VOTE Julian Johannesen Director of Research & Training Nonprofit VOTE

AGENDA Agenda Why Voting? Why Us? Making a Plan Being Nonpartisan Getting Started with…  Voter Registration  Working with Candidates  Ballot Measures  Voter Mobilization Resources

Our voices are not being heard Voter engagement and advocacy work go together Nonprofits have unique access and assets When we do this work, we are extremely effective! WHY VOTING MATTERS Why This Matters

Presidential years are good years to capitalize on the excitement and media coverage generated by the presidential race. There is a lot going on this year! The presidential race isn’t the only thing on the ballot. Far from it. OPPORTUNITY 2016 Opportunity

MAKING A PLAN

1.Establish Buy-In 2.Consider Opportunities to Engage 3.Set Goals 4.Learn about Voting and Elections 5.Staff Up and Training 6.Find Partners SIX STEPS TO PLANNING SUCCESS Planning

BEING NONPARTISAN

THE ONE RULE A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party. A 501(c)(3) may not: Make an endorsement Donate money or resources Rank candidates on a single issue Being Nonpartisan

WHAT NONPROFITS CAN 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) Candidate Engagement Being Nonpartisan

GETTING STARTED WITH… Voter Registration Candidate Engagement Ballot Measure Advocacy Get Out the Vote

VOTER REGISTRATION

When: For the Nov. election start in July or Aug. Ramp up your activities as you near the deadline. Conduct a pilot of your registration efforts PLANNING A REGISTRATION DRIVE Voter Registratio n

Learn about registration in your state –Registration deadline –Online option? –Special requirements? –Eligibility for ex-offenders –Registering homeless voters –Address confidentiality Contact your local election officials REGISTRATION IN YOUR STATE Voter Registratio n Nonprofit VOTE’s Voting in Your State Tool: g/voting-in-your-state/ Fair Elections Legal Network’s Voter Registration Guides: ork.com

KNOW YOUR DEADLINE Voter Registration

Combine: Combine your voter registration work with a “Pledge to Vote” ask Updating: Ask “Have you updated your registration since you last moved?” KEEP IN MIND Voter Reg

MAKING THE ASK The Update Question: “Can I help you update your voter registration?” The Follow Up: “Have you moved since you last registered? You might need to update your registration.” Ask

September 27 th is National Voter Registration Day! – trationday.org/ – NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY Voter Registration NVRD!

ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registratio n

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION Voter Registratio n

CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT

1.Candidate Forums & Appearances: Sponsor or co- sponsor a candidate forum on a local race 2.Candidate Questionnaires 3.Sharing Your Research THREE WAYS TO CONNECT Candidate Engagement

Visit the Resource Library on our website for more information and the following recommended resources: Our upcoming webinar April 28 th A Nonprofit’s Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum “Forum Checklist on a Timeline” “Working with Candidates” Factsheet “Candidate Appearances” Factsheet Resources RESOURCES

BALLOT MEASURES

Activity on ballot measures is lobbying. It’s influencing the passage or defeat of a law, bond measure or constitutional amendment – not the election or defeat of a candidate 501c3 nonprofits may work for or against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity BALLOT MEASURES Ballot Measures

Visit the Resource Library on our website for more information and the following recommended resources: Our upcoming webinar May 12 th “Nonprofits and Ballot Measures” Factsheet Resources RESOURCES

GOTV/ELECTION DAY

VOTER EDUCATION & GET OUT THE VOTE

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Make it personal: Personal contact works best Connect the dots: How does the election impact your issues and community Raise the volume as Election Day approaches. That’s when people are most tuned in GOTV

TWO KINDS OF VOTER EDUCATION Education on the process of voting Education on candidates/offices and issues Voter Education

Promote Early Voting In Person Promote Absentee Voting or Vote by Mail GET OUT THE VOTE EARLY GOTV

Create visibility: Make the election visible at your agency Reminders: Remind/offer help voting during services, at events, over the phone Talk it up: “Are you voting before work or after?” GET OUT THE VOTE ON ELECTION DAY GOTV

866-OUR-VOTE ( ) –Primary Hotline Schedule: 16-primary-hotline-schedule Voting In Your State – in-your-state/ Vote411 –Vote411.org VOTING TOOLS GOTV

VOTING TOOLS GOTV

Give staff time off: To work at polls or do nonpartisan GOTV Ask if you voted: Ask everyone if they’ve already voted or need help voting Celebrate Democracy: Make Election Day special. Have a party. ON ELECTION DAY Election Day

VOTE (8683) Nonprofit VOTE 2464 Massachusetts Ave Suite 210 Cambridge, MA Lindsey Hodel Julian Johannesen