Voter Engagement Training July 21, 2016 Rodef Shalom - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Welcome Voter Engagement Training July 21, 2016 Rodef Shalom Tweet This Training! #nonprofitvote @GPNPpgh @npvote In Intr troductio ions Samantha Balbier, GPNP Executive Director David Streeter, GPNP Public Policy
July 21, 2016 Rodef Shalom
Tweet This Training!
#nonprofitvote @GPNPpgh @npvote
In Intr troductio ions
Cohort of f Parti ticip ipatin ing Agencies
Agenda
Group Activity: Impact Statements
Group Activity: Voter Registration
Presented by
ABOUT US
About Us
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.
Visit our site to learn more: www.nonprofitvote.org
– Arizona: Protecting Arizona’s Families Coalition – Colorado: Community Resource Center – Illinois: Forefront Illinois – Maryland: Maryland Nonprofits – Massachusetts: Mass VOTE – Michigan: Michigan Nonprofit Association – New York: Community Votes NY – North Carolina: Democracy NC – Ohio: Cleveland Votes (Cleveland) and COOHIO (Columbus) – Pennsylvania: Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership – Texas: AACT (McAllen) and Neighborhood Centers (Houston)
2016 STATE PARTNERS
VOTER TURNOUT GAPS
Gaps
We know young voters, lower income voters, Latinos, and Asian Americans turn out to vote at significantly lower rates than older voters, higher income voters, and whites and blacks.
VOTER TURNOUT GAPS
53% 46% 48% 42% 27% 20%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Over $50k NH White Over 30
>$50k <$50k NH White Latino/AAPI >30yrs <30yrs
DOES IT MATTER?
50% 59% 51% 24% 22% 21%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Government should increase services Government should increase spending on the poor Government should guarantee jobs and standard of living
Percent in Favor of Policy, Nonvoters Earning <$30k vs Voters Earning > $150k
Low income High Income
DOES IT MATTER?
GAPS IN VOTER OUTREACH
Mobilization Gaps
26% 24% 40% 55% 70%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 18-21 22-37 38-53 54-69 70-85
Were You Contacted by Either Party about Voting in 2012?
Nonprofit service providers, community-based organizations and the broader civic sector have the power to reach these neglected voters and turn them out to vote.
THE POWER OF NONPROFITS
Power of Nonprofits
this work
constituents – it is likely no
are effective
WHY NONPROFITS?
Why Nonprofits
NONPROFIT ASSETS
Nonprofit Assets
TURNOUT BY AGE
Age
TURNOUT BY RACE AND ETHNICITY
TURNOUT BY INCOME
Income
HEALTH BENEFITS OF VOTING
Quincy, MA – A Case Study, 2015 Midterm Election
neighborhood groups worked together
coalition increased voter turnout significantly
Asian Americans were elected for the first time in the city’s history WE CAN CREATE AN ACCOUNTABLE DEMOCRACY
Quincy!
www.nonprofitvote.org
RESOURCES
Resources
Group Acti tivit ity
Voter registration is important to
because ______________________!
On The Ball llot: Offi fices
On The Ball llot: Questi tions
State Wide
Age (previously on the primary ballot) Local
(gathering signatures)
Township Board (confirmed on ballot)
Local ballot questions will vary by jurisdiction. Contact your county elections office for the most current information. Filing deadlines is August 9th.
Agenda
Basic Rule Voter Engagement at Work Political Activity Outside of Work
THE ONE RULE
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may not support or oppose a candidate for public office.
May NOT –
AT WORK
501(c)(3) Guidelines for Election Activity Voter Registration Voter Education Candidate Engagement Get Out The Vote
WHAT NONPROFITS CAN DO
Nonprofits may conduct nonpartisan voter engagement activities designed to help the public participate in elections.
AT WORK
– Use your communications and events to announce registration deadlines, where to register.
– Set up a table in your lobby, do voter registration as part of services – Hold a voter registration event or drive
May not suggest which party to join or candidate to vote for.
AT WORK
– Date of the election, polling place hours, what ID they need to vote, etc.
– Nonpartisan voter guides or a sample ballot
Voter guides must be balanced and can’t compare your position with the candidates
AT WORK
participate)
website- www.nonprofitvote.org
AT WORK
election visible at your agency
vote; answer questions
constituents about voting
501(c)(3) nonprofits may not endorse
AT WORK
against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity
It’s influencing the passage or defeat of a law– not the election of a candidate
AT WORK
501c3 RESOURCES
The Basic Guideline What Nonprofit Staff Can Do
OUTSIDE WORK
Nonprofit staff are free to engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours – off the clock
THE BASIC GUIDELINE
OUTSIDE WORK
– Volunteer on campaigns – Attend political events – Support your candidate – Run for office
– Personal time outside work hours – On vacation – On personal days – On unpaid leave
WHAT STAFF CAN DO
OUTSIDE WORK
including your time for partisan political purposes
your nonprofit at or outside of work
WHAT TO AVOID
OUTSIDE WORK
Presented by
Agenda
Opportunity 2016 Making a Plan
The Six Steps
Voter Engagement Tactics
Voter Registration Candidate Engagement Ballot Measures Voter Education & Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
to be highly competitive).
(33 races predicted to be highly competitive).
generated by the presidential race.
OPPORTUNITY 2016
from your …
– Executive Director and senior staff – Participating staff
Choose a staff lead, someone who will be the point person for your voter engagement work.
STEP ONE: ESTABLISH BUY IN
Step 1
Face to face and one on one interactions are proven to be the most effective ways to influence clients
events, or in your neighborhood
community festival, a citizenship ceremony, etc.
STEP TWO: TARGET ACTIVITIES
Step 2
– Nonprofit VOTE’s Voting in Your State Tool: www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/ – Reach out to your local elections officials
– Nonprofit VOTE’s online guide to c3 rules: www.nonprofitvote.org/nonprofits-voting- elections-online/
STEP THREE: LEARN THE VOTING RULES
Step 4
need.
with staff what they need to know, provide materials and resources
STEP FOUR: STAFF UP AND TRAIN
Step 5
group doing voter engagement work, an advocacy partner or a voter engagement training partner
around ballot measures, candidate forums or Get-Out- The-Vote activities.
STEP FIVE: FIND PARTNERS
Step 6
Tactics
Voter Registration Candidate Engagement Ballot Measure Advocacy Voter Education and Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
start in July or Aug. Ramp up your activities as you near the deadline.
registration efforts
STARTING VOTER REG
Voter Reg
voter registration work with a “Pledge to Vote” ask
already registered. Others may need to update their registration with a new address or name change. Ask “Have you updated your registration since you last moved?”
KEEP IN MIND
Voter Reg
in 26 states, including Pennsylvania. Any voter can also update their registration online.
Election Day, but not in Pennsylvania!
KEEP IN MIND
KNOW YOUR DEADLINE
Voter Reg
National Voter Registration Day!
– www.nationalvoterregis trationday.org/ – www.celebratenvrd.org
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
Voter Reg
NVRD!
Know your state’s rules in special circumstances:
conviction are ineligible to vote. Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison.
address or denote a location on the voter reg form.
Confidentiality Program enables survivors of domestic violence to vote without fear of being found by their abusers by providing a substitute address for all public records. www.nonprofitvote.org/pennsylvania
ENGAGING DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
How To Regis ister To Vote
Group Acti tivit ity
Voter Registration Script Practice!
Appearances: Sponsor or co- sponsor a candidate forum
THREE WAYS TO CONNECT
Candidate Engagement
Visit the Resource Library on our website for more information and the following recommended resources:
Resources
RESOURCES
passage or defeat of a law, bond measure or constitutional amendment – not the election or defeat of a candidate
against a ballot measure as a lobbying activity
BALLOT MEASURES
Ballot Measures
TWO KINDS OF VOTER EDUCATION
– Inform clients and constituents of the date of the election, polling place hours, where to get help voting, etc.
and issues
– Pass out nonpartisan voter guides or a sample ballot
Voter Education
visible at your agency
– Big push in final week and last 2 days – Remind/offer help voting during services, at events, over the phone
GET OUT THE VOTE
GOTV
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
contact works best
the election impact your issues and community
Day approaches. That’s when people are most tuned in
GOTV
polls or do nonpartisan GOTV
everyone if they voted or need help voting
Election Day special. Have a party.
ON ELECTION DAY
Election Day
– http://www.nonprofitvote.org/pennsylvania
– Vote411.org
VOTING TOOLS
GOTV
available at www.nonprofitvote.org RESOURCES
Resources
info@nonprofitvote.org 617.357.VOTE (8683) www.nonprofitvote.org
Lindsey Hodel lindsey@nonprofitvote.org
Resource: Every ryone.VotesPA.com
Important Documents:
Pennsylvania Voter Should Know for the 2016 Elections
Voter Guide
Election information is also available by calling:
1-877-VOTES-PA (1-877-868-3772)
Resource: NonprofitVote.org
Resource: NonprofitVote.org/P /Pennsylvania ia
Resource: Vote411.org
Tell Your Organization’s Story on Social Media
@GPNPpgh GPNP Tweet at GPNP on Facebook and tag posts to us on Facebook; we’ll share them! Use the hashtag #nonprofitvote to share photos and stories about your organization’s activities. GPNP: Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership Join our LinkedIn group and publish posts about your organization’s activities.
Questions?
Link to Google Form will be sent out after this training.
Contact Information: Deaglan McManus, GPNP Nonprofit Vote Coordinator mcmanusd@forbesfunds.org 412-394-2639
What’s next?
Share Your Story!
#nonprofitvote @GPNPpgh @npvote