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VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS FOR NONPROFITS July 22, 2010

VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS FOR NONPROFITS July 22, 2010. AGENDA. ………………….. ……………………………. Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement Why voting? Why nonprofits? Voter Registration Voter Registration in Nonprofits Make Your Plan Train Your Staff Communications

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VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS FOR NONPROFITS July 22, 2010

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  1. VOTER REGISTRATION BASICS FOR NONPROFITS July 22, 2010 Nonprofit VOTE

  2. AGENDA …………………..……………………………... • Overview of Nonprofit Voter Engagement • Why voting? • Why nonprofits? • Voter Registration • Voter Registration in Nonprofits • Make Your Plan • Train Your Staff • Communications • In-agency voter registration

  3. WHY VOTING? …………………..……………………………..…. • Stronger, healthier communities • Public policies that represent our communities • Clout for your organization

  4. WHY VOTING? …………………..……………………………..…. • Safe • Easy • Important

  5. WHY NONPROFITS? …………………..……………………………..…. • Size of our sector • Trust of our communities • Access to underrepresented populations • Social missions • Interest in good government • Nonpartisanship

  6. YOU are the Trusted Voices in Your Communities

  7. EXPANDING DEMOCRACY …………………..……………………………..…. • What we know about creating new voters • Personal contact • Repeat messages from multiples sources • Voting is a habit

  8. STAYING NONPARTISAN …………………..……………………………..…. The IRS places only one restriction (or opportunity) on nonprofits doing voter engagement work

  9. STAYING NONPARTISAN …………………..……………………………..…. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may NOT support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party.

  10. STAYING NONPARTISAN …………………..……………………………..…. • What CAN you 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)

  11. WHAT STAFF CAN DO …………………..……………………………..…. Nonprofit staff MAY engage in partisan political activities on their own time, off the clock.

  12. VOTER REGISTRATION …………………..……………………………..…. Voter Registration: One small step in the larger cycle of nonprofit voter engagement

  13. LIKE JOINING A GYM…. …there’s a lot more to do to get in shape.

  14. VOTER REGISTRATION …………………..……………………………..…. Increasingly, as people are registered by other sources, nonprofits should focus their efforts on voter education and helping people vote (GOTV)

  15. VOTER REG: Step 1 …………………..……………………………..…. Make Your Action Plan!

  16. Action Plan …………………..……………………………..…. First determine how you want to communicate about voter registration….from simply promoting the deadlines to registering voters at your agency

  17. ACTION PLAN …………………..……………………………..…. Remember! • Close to the voter registration deadline (the month before) is the best time for communicating about voter registration. • To remind people that they need to re-register if they have moved or changed their name

  18. COMMUNICATIONS …………………..……………………………..…. Publicize and promote voter registration deadlines and how-to’s in: • Your website • E-communications • Printed newsletters • Posters in your agency’s lobby • Regular materials distributed to clients, community members, staff, board and volunteers

  19. IN-AGENCY VOTER REG …………………..……………………………..…. First consider….Where are your EXISTING key points of contact with your community and constituents?

  20. IN-AGENCY VOTER REG …………………..……………………………..…. Next, select a point person to direct your in-agency voter registration activities

  21. IN-AGENCY VOTER REG …………………..……………………………..…. Decide on your approach: • Make forms available with signage • Train staff to conduct voter registration and turn forms in promptly

  22. USE YOUR INNER CIRCLE …………………..……………………………..…. • Board • Staff • Volunteers

  23. POINTS OF CONTACT …………………..……………………………..…. • Classes • Intake • Point of service • Community events

  24. VOTER REGISTRATION …………………..……………………………..…. Get to know the voter registration rules in your state

  25. TRAIN YOUR STAFF …………………..……………………………..…. • On eligibility requirements in your state • How to fill out a form • How to be nonpartisan • Talking points specific to your mission

  26. MORE RESOURCES …………………..……………………………..…. • Many states now allow you to check the status of your registration online • http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state.html • States with ONLINE Voter Reg: • Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Oregon, Utah, Washington • States with SAME DAY Voter Reg: • Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming and D.C. (North Dakota does not require voter registration)

  27. MORE RESOURCES Visit our site to download our Guide to Voter Registration http://www.nonprofitvote.org/guides-and-toolkits.html Visit Project Vote to download their state by state guides to voter registration http://www.projectvote.org/voter-registration-guidance.html Visit Rock the Vote to learn about their voter registration tool and partnership program http://www.rockthevote.com/partner/ …………………..……………………………..….

  28. CONTACT INFO …………………..……………………………..…. Bridgette Rongitsch bridgette@nonprofitvote.org 651-757-3085 www.nonprofitvote.org

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