THE ABC S OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR N ONPROFITS Presented by.
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Transcript of THE ABC S OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR N ONPROFITS Presented by.
THE ABCS OF VOTER REGISTRATIONFOR NONPROFITS
Presented by
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Who
Bridgette RongitschProject Lead
Grassroots Solutions
Julian JohannesenDirector of Research and
TechnologyNonprofit VOTE
AGENDA
Agenda
Preparing for 2012Why Voter Registration & Why Nonprofits
Nonpartisan GuidelinesMaking a PlanVoter Registration Nuts and BoltsPromoting Voter Registration
• Plan ahead! Now is the time to begin thinking about voter registration in 2012
• 50 million more people will vote in 2012 than did in 2010
• 15 million people will become eligible to vote for the first time in 2012– Young voters– New citizens
PREPARING FOR 2012
PreparingFor 2012
2010 20120
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
90 Million
140 Million
Voter Turnout in 2010 and 2012Source: U.S. Elections Project
• Voter registration is the first step on the road to becoming an active and engaged voter
• 9 out of 10 registered voters will turn out to vote in a presidential election
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION
Why VoterRegistration
• Get the Attention of Candidates• Build Community Clout• Create Community Advocates• Foster Community-Based Leadership• Elect Representatives that Reflect the
Diversity of Your Community• Reach Voters No One Else Can• Create a Community of Life-Long Voters
WHY VOTER REGISTRATION (CONTINUED)
Why VoterRegistration
• Nonprofits are well positioned for effective, nonpartisan voter engagement
• Studies have shown that when nonprofits help community members register to vote, voter turnout increases
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/why-nonprofits.html
WHY NONPROFITS
WhyNonprofits
• A 2010 study conducted by Nonprofit VOTE found that voters who were registered to vote by a local nonprofit turned out to vote at a rate 11 points higher than voters in a control group.
• Voters who received additional, subsequent contacts turned out a rate 17 points higher!
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voter-engagement-research.html
WHY NONPROFITS (CONTINUED)
WhyNonprofits
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 to learn
more about the parties (the party websites, Wikipedia, etc.)
NONPARTISAN GUIDELINES
NonpartisanGuidelines
MAKING A PLAN
VoterRegistratio
n
Getting StartedWhen to Do Voter Registration
Where to Do Voter Registration
Staff & Volunteers
• What to expect when starting out:– Many community members are already
registered to vote– Updating an address on a registration is just as
important as registering for the first time– Even small numbers of registrations aggregate up
to a large number on a state-wide or national level
GETTING STARTED
VoterRegistration
• 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– Types of activities and when and where– Training– Other Logistics
GETTING STARTED (CONTINUED)
VoterRegistration
• Single Day: Focus on a single day, like National Voter Registration Day on September 25th
• Close to Deadline: The best time to do voter registration is in the month leading up to the registration deadline in your state.
• Year Round: Integrate voter registration into activities like client intake, staff training, classes and other activities year round
WHEN TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
VoterRegistration
VoterRegistration
• At your agency : In your lobby, in classes, at client intake, etc.
• At events: A high school graduation, a citizenship ceremony, an open house
• In your neighborhood: A highly trafficked location like a bus station
WHERE TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION
NOTE: Door-to-door canvassing is not effective when registering voters.
VOTER REGISTRATION NUTS AND BOLTS
VoterRegistratio
n
Knowing the RulesSpecial CircumstancesGetting and Returning FormsHelping Complete the FormStaff and Volunteers
• Voter registration deadline– EDR
• Voter registration eligibility requirements– Citizenship– Age
• Pre-registration– Other special circumstances
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voter-registration-in-your-state
KNOWING THE RULES
StaffTraining
• Voting for Ex-offenders• People experiencing homelessness• Survivors of domestic violence
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Nuts and Bolts
Nuts andBolts
• Getting voter registration forms– Local elections office– Downloading forms– Online voter registration
• Returning voter registration forms– Turnaround time– Retaining information for GOTV
• Special states
GETTING AND RETURNING FORMS
VoterRegistration
• Frequently missed items– Eligibility check boxes– ID number– Date of birth– Party affiliation– Signature and date
• What happens next for the voter
HELPING COMPLETE THE FORM
Nuts andBolts
• Provide training for staff and volunteers• Recruiting Volunteers
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Nuts andBolts
DON’T FORGET TO PROMOTE YOUR WORK!• 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
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/order-the-register-to-vote-poster.html
PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION
Promote!
• Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org
RESOURCES
Resources
RESOURCES
Resources
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111
Bridgette Rongitsch
Julian Johannesen
