Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Google Polling Place Finder: Now Live!

Find your polling place! November 6th is just a week away--get the tools you need for a successful Election Day. Whether you're helping people find their polling place or looking for last minute get-out-the-vote resources, ensure you're prepared for Election Day!

Google Poll Finder
The 2012 Google Poll Finder tool is now live! It uses official information from state elections offices and Secretaries of State to provide voters with current voting information. Type in your address to find your polling place and directions. Use the Ballot Summary Menu Bar on the right to view your candidate choices for president, Congress, and state legislatures.
Early Voting Opportunities
Early voting was suspended in Maryland and the District of Columbia on Monday due to Hurricane Sandy. Most polling places are expected to be up and running on Election Day, but there could be residual issues as a result of the storm. In Virginia, the board of elections has decided to allow people to cite Hurricane Sandy as a reason they need to vote early. Help your community vote early with:
Browse additional 2012 election tools and resources and make voters aware of their rights at the polls.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Get Ready for Election Day!

Materials from yesterday's webinar, Get Ready for Election Day, are now available. With a week and a half to go until Election Day, there are still many things your nonprofit can do to encourage voters to participate in 2012!

Watch the full webinar on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our get-out-the-vote resources.

Talking about the election with your clients and community can boost turnout. Encourage voters to take advantage of early voting opportunities and use ballot measures to talk about the issues at stake. Don't forget to start making plans for celebrating Election Day at your nonprofit!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Celebrate Election Day at Your Nonprofit

Get the party started! Voting is contagious. Your organization can help boost turnout by creating a celebratory atmosphere on Election Day: people are more likely to vote if it seems popular or exciting or if their peers are doing it. This kind of vibrant environment is key to generating enthusiasm--it will not only encourage voters to head to the polls, but will also engage those who have already cast a ballot, utilizing them as election ambassadors.

Plan your Election Day celebration by:
  1. Starting today: Recruit another staff member to help you plan your Election Day celebration. Get support from your Executive Director.
  2. Preparing: Have information available on finding polling locations or getting a ride to the polls.
  3. Decorating: Go red, white, and blue! Use streamers, balloons, and posters to create a festive atmosphere. 
  4. Having Giveaways: Add giveaways to the celebration, like stickers that say "I Voted" or "I'm Voting Today". Distribute voter information cards on Your Rights at the Polls.
  5. Providing Food: Secure a food donation to fuel your celebration. Or try your hand at making Election Cake. Be sure to share with everyone--distribution cannot be contingent on whether or not an individual votes.
Your nonprofit can also celebrate Election Day by encouraging volunteers and staff to get out the vote or serve as poll monitors. Ask every volunteer to help one person vote on Election Day.

Don't forget to give staff time off to vote or to participate in other nonpartisan activities. Consider allowing staff use personal time to work for the candidate of their choice. Whatever you decide to do on Election Day, just be sure to make it a celebration!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Webinar Tomorrow: Get Ready for Election Day

There are less than two weeks until November 6th, but there's still plenty your organization can do to educate voters and get-out-the-vote!

Get Ready for Election Day
Thursday October 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

The final days before Election Day and Election Day itself are crucial to your voter engagement efforts. Find out how your nonprofit can prepare for this final push. Our discussion will focus on get-out-the-vote efforts and how to ensure that eligible voters are able to successfully cast a ballot.

Featured Presenter: Avi Green is Co-Director of MassVOTE and an experienced community organizer. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

RSVP Now!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Ballot Measures: What Nonprofits Can Do

On November 6th voters will decide the fate of 176 ballot measures in 38 states. They cover a range of issues including taxes and revenue, immigrant rights, public services, criminal justice, voter ID requirements, and same-sex marriage.

While nonprofits cannot endorse or oppose candidates for office, they can engage their communities around ballot measures. Remember, ballot measures are laws, not candidates and activity for or against a ballot measure is considered lobbying not electioneering. Therefore, you can:
  1. Take a stand on a ballot measure and encourage a "yes" or "no" vote.
  2. Provide neutral information on a ballot measure explaining what a "yes" or "no" vote means as a nonpartisan education activity.
Browse our ballot measure resources--like our Nonprofits and Ballot Measures factsheet and training video featuring the Alliance for Justice--to learn more about working on ballot measures.

Check out Bolder Advocacy's Ballot Measure Toolkit for nonprofits and foundations and see a complete list of 2012 ballot questions provided by Ballotpedia.

Voters need a reason to go to the polls, and you can give them one by talking about the ballot measures under consideration. Encourage voters to turnout by reminding them that they can have a direct impact on these issues simply by voting. Find out what's on your ballot by contacting your local elections office for a sample ballot.

Need other ideas? Download 10 Things to Do Between Now and Election Day.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Promote Early Voting Now!

Don't wait until November 6th, vote early! The election is underway and your organization can encourage voters to participate now by voting early. Early voting is available in many states, but dates and requirements vary. Voting early in-person or by mail gives voters increased flexibility and the chance to address any problems that may arise at the polls ahead of Election Day.  Nationwide, early voting has become increasingly popular: In 2008 about 33% of votes were cast before Election Day and in 2012 that number could top 40%. Avoid potential lines on November 6th and encourage your community to give the convenience of voting early a try!

Promote Early Voting by:
  1. Arranging to transport groups of voters to early voting sites.
  2. Distributing absentee ballot request forms.
  3. Providing details in your online and in-person communications.
  4. Communicating with staff in meetings and all-staff emails.
  5. Discussing it during classes, trainings, and events.
Early Voting Tools:
  1. Use our 50 state map to contact your local elections office for deadlines and details on how to vote early.
  2. Check your state's early voting rules, compiled by Long Distance Voter.
  3. Request an absentee ballot using the U.S. Vote Foundation's state-specific tool.
Encourage your community to get a head start on Election Day by voting early!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Upcoming Webinar: Get Ready for Election Day

November 6th is almost here, but there's still plenty your organization can do before then!

Get Ready for Election Day
Thursday October 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

The final days before Election Day and Election Day itself are crucial to your voter engagement efforts. Find out how your nonprofit can prepare for this final push. Our discussion will focus on get-out-the-vote efforts and how to ensure that eligible voters are able to successfully cast a ballot.

Featured Presenter: Avi Green is Co-Director of MassVOTE and an experienced community organizer. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

RSVP Now!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"Nonprofits Get Out the Vote!" Event Recap

Materials from last week's web event, Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day, are now available. Hundreds of nonprofits from across the county participated, demonstrating the growing momentum and support within the sector for nonpartisan voter engagement

Couldn't tune in? Watch the event on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our get-out-the-vote resources.

Now that your organization is on board and excited about nonprofit voter engagement, register for our final webinar before November 6th, and Get Ready for Election Day.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Thursday: Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Web Event

Be prepared (and get excited!) about Election Day by joining Nonprofit VOTE for a special web event:

Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day
Thursday, October 11th at 2:00pm Eastern
The final weeks leading up to an election are critical for voters, and during that time the potential to impact turnout is enormous.

Learn more during this exciting event featuring:
  • National nonprofit leaders highlighting the sector's pivotal role,
  • Nonprofit-specific strategies for the final stages of an effective nonpartisan voter engagement campaign,
  • Examples from local nonprofits on how to successfully incorporate voter engagement into programs and services, and
  • Tips and tools tailored to the final weeks before Election Day and Election Day itself.
Guest presenters include:
Register now for Nonprofits Get Out The Vote! Countdown to Election Day and join nonprofits across the country as we lift our voices and mobilize our communities to vote on November 6th!

RSVP Now!

Monday, October 8, 2012

"Vote November 6" Kits Still Available

There's still time to order a "Vote November 6" kit--but not much!

Kits will only be available for another week or two, so order yours today and ensure you have materials to help engage voters in your community around the upcoming election. The kit includes a poster, stickers, button, and a list of suggested activities for nonprofits. Browse all of our get-out-the-vote materials.

Spark conversations at your organization by downloading and hanging a poster from our 2012 poster gallery. Need additional materials? They're available for purchase in bulk.

Research shows that when nonprofits talk to their clients about voting, they are not only more likely to vote but are also more likely to talk to their friends and family about voting. So what are you waiting for? Order a kit today and get-out-the-vote in your community!

    Friday, October 5, 2012

    The 2012 Election is Underway!

    With early voting underway in 35 states, the 2012 presidential election is officially underway! While the current majority of early voting is taking place via absentee ballot, seven states already have in-person polling stations up and running.

    With just weeks to go before November 6th, it's critical that nonprofits keep this election in the spotlight. Use your communications to share election information, deadlines, and reminders.

    In 2008 about 33% of votes were cast before Election Day and in 2012 that number could top 40%. Learn about early voting options--both in-person and by mail--in your state. Request your absentee ballot.

    Although balloting is underway, voters can still register to vote in most states. Check your state's registration deadline and make sure your community is registered and ready to vote on (or before) November 6th!

    Monday, October 1, 2012

    Homeless Does Not Mean Voteless

    Image Source: AIGA GOTV Gallery
    Designer: Anthony Anaya
    It's National Homeless and Low-Income Voter Registration Week, an event sponsored by the The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) during each presidential election since 1992. 

    NCH is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission: To prevent and end homelessness while ensuring individuals' immediate needs are met and their civil rights protected.

    To complement their registration efforts in 2012, NCH has updated their voter registration manual, You Don't Need a Home to Vote, to help clarify rules around ballot access for individuals currently experiencing homelessness.

    Housing status does not dictate registration status. Make sure members of your community currently experiencing homelessness know their rights and are registered ahead of your state deadline!