Ballot Measure Advocacy Webinar Materials

Yesterday's webinar, Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits, is now available. Many thanks to Nayantara Mehta of the Alliance for Justice for joining us to share her expertise.

Watch the presentation 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 nonpartisan resources on ballot measure education and advocacy.

Register now for next Thursday's webinar to learn how your nonprofit can participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 24th!

National Voter Registration Day Webinar

Are you ready for National Voter Registration Day? Learn more during our next webinar:
 
National Voter Registration Day is September 24th
Thursday August 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

On September 24, 2013, volunteers, celebrities, and organizations from all over the country will "hit the streets" for the second annual National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated volunteer, technology, and media efforts will create widespread awareness of voter registration opportunities--allowing us to reach tens of thousands of voters who would not be otherwise contacted. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can get involved, host your own voter registration event, and more.

Featured Presenters: Emily Alsleben is the National Programs Manager at the Bus Federation, where she manages the field operations of National Voter Registration Day. She also leads their national Trick or Vote efforts. Maggie Duncan serves as Elections Program Manager for the League of Women Voters of the United States and has more than a decade of political advocacy and strategic communications experience. She currently manages the League’s nationwide voter registration programs and leads their national campaign to promote a transparent and fair redistricting process.

Thursday's Webinar: Ballot Measure Advocacy

There's still time to register for Thursday's webinar. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how your nonprofit can work for or against a ballot measure:
 
Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits
Thursday July 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates, they can take a stand on ballot measures. Ballot measure advocacy is an effective way to engage and advocate for your community and its interests. Join us for details on how ballot measures--as well as amendments and referendums--provide yet another nonpartisan opportunity to connect with your audience, collaborate with partners, and build relationships--all while advancing your mission and goals.

Featured Presenter: Nayantara Mehta is Senior Counsel with Alliance for Justice in Oakland, CA. She works through the Bolder Advocacy Initiative to support nonprofit advocacy and voter engagement, to help strengthen the capacity of the public interest community to influence public policy. She provides training and technical assistance to nonprofit and foundation staff and board members around the country on the rules governing advocacy, lobbying and election activities.

National Voter Registration Day 2013

Last year's inaugural National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) was an overwhelming success. 1,100 organizations and 9,000 volunteers helped register over 300,000 voters nationwide.

Join this annual event and show your support for voter participation by helping your clients and constituents register to vote. Learn more about how your nonprofit can get involved or host an event by registering for our August 1st webinar.

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday September 24th. Millions of people will vote this year. Will you help your community participate? Sign your organization up today!

Evaluating the Impact of Nonprofit Voter Engagement

What kind of impact do nonprofits have on voter turnout when they talk to their clients and constituents about voting? Who do they reach?

In 2012 we sought to answer these and other questions about the effectiveness and impact of nonprofits conducting voter engagement by having 94 nonprofits track their voter contacts. They engaged 33,741 clients and constituents across seven states, who were successfully matched to the state voter file.

Now, we're pleased to announce our findings from this first of its kind evaluation in a forthcoming report--Can Nonprofits Increase Voting Among Their Clients, Constituents, and Staff? An Evaluation of the Track the Vote Program. The results showed the impact of personal voter outreach by nonprofit service providers in raising turnout out rates among those least expected to vote and closing gaps in voter participation across all demographics.

• The clients and constituents engaged by nonprofits were markedly more diverse, lower income, and younger than all registered voters in the seven states, made up of populations with a history of lower voter turnout in past elections. 
• Voter turnout among those contacted by nonprofits was 74%, six points above the 68% turnout rate for all registered voters--with the largest turnout differences seen among young. Latino, and "low propensity voters" who campaigns typically miss. 

Learn more by signing up to receive a digital copy of the full report and detailed findings as soon as it is available.

Rhode Island Joins National Popular Vote Compact

Rhode Island state lawmakers endorsed the National Popular Vote Compact back in 2008 but former Governor Carcieri vetoed the legislation. However, current Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed the latest bill, and Rhode Island is the ninth state to enact the law, along with Washington D.C.

Before Rhode Island joined, the combined states had only 132 electoral votes, about 49% of the 270 needed to guarantee the presidency to the winner of the popular vote. Now, with the addition of Rhode Island's four votes, the compact has officially crossed the halfway mark at 136 votes!

But for the time being, nothing changes. Remember, the Agreement Among the States to elect the President by National Popular Vote only takes effect when it has been approved by enough states to guarantee that the majority of Electoral College votes would go the winner of the national popular vote.

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July 25th: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits

Did you know that working for or against a ballot measure is considered lobbying (not electioneering) and is therefore a permissible activity for 501(c)(3) organizations? Learn more during our next webinar:
 
Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits
Thursday July 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates, they can take a stand on ballot measures. Ballot measure advocacy is an effective way to engage and advocate for your community and its interests. Join us for details on how ballot measures--as well as amendments and referendums--provide yet another nonpartisan opportunity to connect with your audience, collaborate with partners, and build relationships--all while advancing your mission and goals.

Featured Presenter: Nayantara Mehta is Senior Counsel with Alliance for Justice in Oakland, CA. She works through the Bolder Advocacy Initiative to support nonprofit advocacy and voter engagement, to help strengthen the capacity of the public interest community to influence public policy. She provides training and technical assistance to nonprofit and foundation staff and board members around the country on the rules governing advocacy, lobbying and election activities.