Voter Engagement Case Studies - Learning From 2012

How do nonprofits carry out voter engagement work? Our report Can Nonprofits Increase Voting Among Their Clients, Constituents, and Staff? Case Studies describes how 16 organizations engaged their communities around the 2012 election.

These organizations were among the 94 nonprofit service providers that tracked their voter contacts with 33,741 individuals last year. They ranged from California to North Carolina and included community health centers, multi-service agencies, and children and family groups, in addition to organizations that serve people with disabilities, ex-offenders, and people currently experiencing homelessness. Through interviews with these organizations, we learned more about the challenges they faced, their successes, and common takeaways.

While Part I of the report showcases the impact of nonprofit voter engagement on turnout, Part II tells the story of the nonprofits doing the work. The case studies describe how organizations approached voter engagement, as well as their specific tactics and strategies. Each one includes an organizational profile, background information, a description of activities, and concludes with lessons learned. We hope that these findings will serve as a guide while incorporating voter engagement into programs and services in 2014 and beyond.