1. Getting Started: Nonpartisan Voter Engagement for Nonprofits Presented by

2. 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 www.nonprofitvote.org ABOUT US About

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. MAKING A PLAN

8. 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

11. BEING NONPARTISAN

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. VOTER REGISTRATION

16. 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

17. 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: www.nonprofitvote.or g/voting-in-your-state/ Fair Elections Legal Network’s Voter Registration Guides: www.fairelectionsnetw ork.com

18. KNOW YOUR DEADLINE Voter Registration

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registratio n

23. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION Voter Registratio n

24. CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT

25. 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

26. 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

27. BALLOT MEASURES

28. 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

29. 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

30. GOTV/ELECTION DAY

31. VOTER EDUCATION & GET OUT THE VOTE

32. 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

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

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

35. 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

36. 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) –Primary Hotline Schedule: http://www.866ourvote.org/pages/20 16-primary-hotline-schedule Voting In Your State –http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting- in-your-state/ Vote411 –Vote411.org VOTING TOOLS GOTV

37. VOTING TOOLS GOTV

38. 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

39. WWW.NONPROFITVOTE.ORG

40. info@nonprofitvote.org 617.357.VOTE (8683) www.nonprofitvote.org Nonprofit VOTE 2464 Massachusetts Ave Suite 210 Cambridge, MA 02140 Lindsey Hodel lindsey@nonprofitvote.org Julian Johannesen julian@nonprofitvote.org