New Project Vote Policy Paper: Early Voting

Project Vote's map of early and absentee voting, 2013.

Last month, Project Vote released their latest policy paper, this one on Early Voting. Although voting has traditionally taken place on a single Election Day, in recent years many states have expanded opportunities to vote before Election Day--generally to accommodate voter schedules and in the hopes of increasing turnout. 

Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots in person but at alternative times and locations, in addition to on Election Day at their traditional polling place. It is now in use in 30 states, as well as the District of Columbia. Some states also offer no-excuse absentee voting, allowing voters to fill out and mail or deliver a ballot before Election Day--without having to provide a reason for voting absentee.

In the 2012 election, early voting and absentee voting together accounted for 30% or more of all votes cast in 21 of the states. In Florida, about 50% of ballots were cast early.

Read the policy paper for more information.

CIRCLE Reports on Youth Turnout in NJ and VA

According to CIRCLE's calculations of exit polls, youth turnout was 26% in Virginia and 18% in New Jersey this year.  Using the same methods, CIRCLE concluded that youth turnout in Virginia was 17% in 2009 and 18% in 1997, and in New Jersey 26% in 1997 and 19% in 2009. This suggests a significant increase in Virginia in 2013 compared to the two most recent gubernatorial races.

These turnout estimates mean that roughly 288,000 young voters cast ballots on November 5th in Virginia, out of the estimated 1.1 million 18-29 year-old citizens who live in that state. In New Jersey, roughly 206,000 young voters cast a ballot out of the estimated 1.2 million 18-29 year old citizens.

CIRCLE Director Peter Levine noted that "Although 18% and 26% are far from satisfactory, these statistics should be put in context," and that "Turnout is always much lower in off-year gubernatorial elections than in presidential years"

Read CIRCLE's full analysis.

* The estimated numbers of young people who voted in the 1997 and 2009 governors’ races were calculated using: (1) the number of ballots cast in each race according to the media, (2) the youth share of those who voted, based on the exit polls conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool, and (3) the estimated number of 18-29 year old citizens taken from the Census Current Population Survey, March Demographic File of that year. Edison Research estimates that its exit polls have a margin of error rate of plus or minus three percentage points.

Get Out the Vote Tools for 2013

Currently, 44 states have voter registration lookup tools and 48 have polling place finders. Wouldn't it be great if this (and other) election information was available in one place? You're in luck, it is! Visit our 50 state map to:

• Find Your Poll
• Check Your Voter Registration
• Learn About Voter ID Requirements

You can also access other state-specific voting resources, including contact information for your local elections office, details for voters with special circumstances, and early voting opportunities.

November 5th is less than a month away. Although they may be registered, voters still need to know where to go and what to take with them. Help your community vote by being prepared to answer these and other questions. You can also help registered voters request an absentee ballot.

In many states it's not too late to register! Although National Voter Registration Month is over, many state registration deadlines have not yet passed. Depending on where you live, you might be able to register online or on Election Day itself. Learn more about voting in your state and ensure your community is prepared for the 2013 election cycle.

2012 Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs of America

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2012 "Our Voice, Our Choice" campaign effectively combined many elements of the Nonprofit VOTE voter engagement model.

1. Commitment from the top. "Character and Citizenship" is one of BGCA's six program foci, and the vice president responsible for this area was able to get institutional buy-in for voter engagement as a natural extension of this core commitment. This helped ensure the various campaign elements were seen as sanctioned and pre-approved.

2. Planning. High level buy-in was secured in part because the Director and Assistant Director for Character and Citizenship developed a thoughtful and organized multi-stage plan months in advance. They organized voter engagement activities into five "pushes," indicating different activities for staff and program participants, at the national office, and among affiliates. Unlike a spontaneous activity proposed last minute during the height of an intense election season, this prepared approach allowed for internal review, approval, and support.

3. Branding. BGCA developed an attractive "Our Voice, Our Choice" logo that became ubiquitous within and among BGCA affiliates (though it was not part of BGCA's external communications). The campaign tagline, "Great citizens start here," played off a familiar BGCA motto, "Great futures start here."

4. Built in, not tacked on. The BGCA campaign generally didn't require extra resources because most activities were incorporated into existing youth programs and leveraged existing policies:

• National staff: BGCA's campaign plan included a range of activities throughout the various stages, including: Pre- and post-campaign "We the People" quizzes with prizes; iCivics online games; "Lunch & Learn" with county board of elections officials; fun videos made in-house; red, white, and blue "jeans day"; cupcakes and sodas on Election Day; an online guide to activities, and; a special HR memo explaining their paid leave policy for voting.
• Local clubs: BGCA utilized existing communications channels--primarily their internal intranet "online communities"--to provide their 4,000 affiliates and 45,000 staff members with regular messages and reminders as well as well as links to Nonprofit VOTE resources and election information. Local clubs incorporated mock elections, iCivics quizzes and games, and voting activities into ongoing youth programs.

5. Having fun! From the start, the campaign was designed to be fun and festive. BGCA produced a man-in-the-street style video to find out what people know about voting, the national office hosted "Lunch & Learn" sessions, youth played iCivics games online, and Election Day itself was a celebration of democracy featuring balloons and festive attire.

Election Highlights from 2012

The 2012 election is over, but there's plenty to learn from the results. Early voting was popular, particularly in battleground states: 69% of votes in Nevada were cast early along with 53% in Florida, 72% in Colorado, and 42% in Iowa. Many voters are taking advantage of early voting opportunities and the flexibility it affords in deciding when and how to vote. These changes are causing nonprofits, communities, and campaigns to rethink the ways they approach Election Day.

Minority voters cast a record 28% of the votes, up from 26% in 2008. For the first time ever, black voters may have voted at a higher rate than white voters. While this is not yet confirmed, the rise in black turnout has been driven by increases in voter participation, not by demographic shifts, as is often the case with other minority groups. According to Pew Hispanic Center projections, Latinos will account for 40% of the growth in the eligible electorate between now and 2030, at which time 40 million Latinos will be eligible to vote--up from 23.7 million now.

Although lagging in overall numbers, youth participation is becoming a critical factor in deciding elections. 46 million youth were eligible to vote in the November 2012 election, including 16.8 million who became eligible since 2008.

Additional turnout information will be available later this year in the next installment of our America Goes to the Polls series and in the Census Current Population Survey: Voting and Registration Supplement.

Long Lines Discouraged 49,000 Voters in Central FL

After the November election, we reported on long lines in a number of states. Now, a new report suggests that as many as 49,000 people in Central Florida did not cast a ballot because of extended waiting times.

Theodore Allen has been analyzing the impact of long lines at the polls since 2004. His analysis of Central Florida's 2012 results compared precinct closing times, Election Day turnout, and results in the presidential race for all Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole county precincts.

His review indicated that for every additional hour that a precinct stayed open past 7 pm--an indicator of line length throughout the day--turnout dropped by as much as 4.8%. Allen suggests that longer ballots (six pages in Orange County) likely caused longer lines which in turn suppressed turnout. Additionally, fewer early voting days probably contributed to longer wait times on Election Day. Many Central Florida voters waited in line for three or more hours after the polls officially closed.

Whatever the contributing factors, voters simply cannot be expected to set aside hours to cast a ballot. We need to focus on ways to improve access to the ballot, and can start by expanding early and absentee voting opportunities. Additional voter education can also help reduce the amount of time voters spend filling out their ballot. Let's kick 2013 off right and resolve to eliminate long lines at the polls.

Election Day Registration is Popular in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, one in eight ballots--almost a million votes in all--came from voters who registered on Election Day just before voting in three recent statewide elections--November 2008, November 2010, and the June 2012 gubernatorial recall.

The popularity of the law in Wisconsin has remained relatively steady in general elections since 1984, ranging from a rate of 6.5% of all voters in 2002 to nearly 20% in 2006, when 1,500 small towns were required for the first time to register voters.

Election Day Registration allows voters to correct or update information before casting a ballot, provides a remedy for voters who find themselves omitted from the rolls, and accommodates those who decide to participate at the last minute. States that employ some form of same-day registration tend to have higher turnout rates than those without it.

Nevertheless, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to repeal Election Day Registration in Wisconsin by those who claim that it burdens election clerks and increases the risk of voter fraud. However, many clerks support the law and investigations have found no significant fraud problems. One city clerk said she sets up a separate area for registration so it doesn't slow others who are ready to vote and noted that "We've learned how to work with the current laws and we've got a pretty streamlined process."

Serving Democracy: Nonprofits Promote Voter Engagement in 2012

With Election Day now behind us, it's critical to acknowledge the role the nonprofit sector played in registering, educating, and engaging voters in 2012.

Nonprofit VOTE's Executive Director, George Pillsbury, authored an article that is featured in the current issue of The Nonprofit Quarterly. "Serving Democracy: Nonprofits Promote Voter Engagement in 2012" profiles the growing role of nonprofit service providers in mobilizing their communities to vote. It describes the rationale for it, the research behind it, and how it has continued expanding this year. It's a call for the entire nonprofit sector to do more now and in the cycles to come.

We've come a long way as a sector, but there's much more to come. Read the full article online or download the PDF. It's not too early to start thinking about what your organization can do in 2013!

Record Turnout in Massachusetts in 2012

On November 6th Massachusetts voters set a turnout record with 3,184,196 people casting ballots--breaking the previous record set in 2008 of 3,102,995. In total, 73.3% of registered voters made it to the polls.

Congrats to MassVOTE and the countless nonprofits who worked to encourage turnout in their communities this year!

Election Improvements Still Needed

Communities frequently served by nonprofits made impressive gains in the electorate this year. However, there are still a number of electoral improvements that can be made.

Shorter Lines, More Early In-Person Voting
A curtailed in-person early voting period in Florida led to 7 hour lines, discouraged voters, and an overwhelmed system. On Election Day, voters in Miami-Dade County waited in line until 1am to cast a ballot. In Ohio, the periods for casting a ballot early in-person and by mail were reduced. Early in-person voting the weekend before Election Day was initially eliminated but later restored through the courts due to the estimated 100,000 Ohioans expected to cast ballots in the three days before November 6th. Snaking lines of early voters were captured across the state.

Although long lines can be the result of a lengthy ballot, expanding--rather than eliminating--early voting opportunities can reduce wait times, offer voters increased flexibility, and ease the strain on election offices.

Improved Voter Registration 
All eligible voters should have the opportunity to cast a ballot that will be counted. Unfortunately, voters across the country arrived at the polls only to discover that their name was not on the rolls. The first step in fixing this is to ensure that voters can register easily. Many states have implemented online voter registration, streamlining the registration process. California's online registration system went live for the first time in September and over one million Californians used it to register in the course of five weeks. 49% of new registrants were between the ages of 18 and 29.

Additionally, online platforms that allow voters to verify their registration status can reduce problems at the polls. Not every state has this kind of tool, and currently in Massachusetts when voters need to confirm their registration status on Election Day they have to call their city hall, leading to long hold times and inefficient processing.

Fixing Problems on Election Day
Beyond improvements to advanced registration, Election Day Registration (EDR) allows voters to update or correct their voter registration information at their polling site on Election Day. EDR ensures that recent moves or name changes do not impact a voter's ability to participate. This kind of flexibility makes it easier to participate and states that have Election Day Registration consistently lead the nation in voter turnout.

While 2012 was a great indicator of rising turnout, there are still improvements to be made. All eligible voters who want to participate should be able to make their voices heard at the polls--without waiting 7 hours.

Nonprofit Voters Increase Share of the Electorate

In 2012, your organization and the entire nonprofit sector helped encourage communities across the country to participate and vote. Clearly your efforts to register, educate, and engage voters paid off.

This year, lower-income, younger, and more diverse communities frequently served by nonprofits accounted for a greater share of voter turnout than ever before. While some of this can be attributed to population increases, it was also aided by unprecedented voter education and engagement efforts from the nonprofit and civic sector.

• Young voters (under 30) defied predictions by claiming a higher share of total turnout in 2012 (19%) than in 2008 (18%).
• The Latino share of the electorate continued to rise, increasing to 10% this year.
• Black voters maintained their share of the electorate from 2008, holding at 13%.
• Voters with family income below $50,000 increased their share of the electorate, jumping three points to 41%, despite the fact that the population of that bracket has remained unchanged from 2008.

Read the full report for additional details on the changing electorate, early voting, participation trends, and more. Congratulations again on successfully promoting voting and engaged and active citizenship in 2012!

It's Tuesday November 6th: Election Day!

Election Day is finally here. You already have the information and resources you need to help your community vote. Today is about celebrating the election and reminding and encouraging people to vote. Good luck and Happy Election Day!

Are You Ready for Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is Election Day! In areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy, there may be changes to official polling locations that are not reflected in online tools. Be sure to check with your local elections office for updates to polling sites.

 

If you need a little push before heading to the polls, watch JFK ask every American to turn out and vote and a fourth grade class implore you to "vote for somebody".

 

As the results unfold, find out about turnout with the CNN National Exit Poll (click the Exit Poll tab), CIRCLE - Civic Youth, and Pew Hispanic. Learn more about the national exit poll.  

 Be Prepared with Your Election Day Toolbox!

 

Advertise polling hours prominently on your website and in your lobby. Find yours with our 50 state map. It's not too late to download a "Vote November 6th" poster. Use the tools below to equip voters with the information necessary to ensure they successfully cast a ballot.

 

Google Poll Finder:

The 2012 Google Poll Finder tool 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. In areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy, be sure to check directly with your local elections office for any updates to polling locations--these will likely not be reflected in online tools.

• Embed the tool on your website to raise the profile of the election.
• Share the link with your audience.
• Set up a computer in your lobby to allow voters to check their voting information.

You can also use your state's online poll finder or contact your local elections office.

 

Check Your Registration:

Wondering if and where you're registered to vote?

• 45 states have online registration look up tools.
• Contact your local elections office to confirm your registration.

Avoid potential problems at the polls and double check your registration before Election Day.

 

National Hotlines:

If you aren't near a computer and need voting information, call a national hotline for assistance. They are also a great resource if you have trouble casting your ballot.

• Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or visit www.866ourvote.org.
• Call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (839-8682) or visit www.yaeshora.info.

Contact your local elections office for help or with questions.

 

And for more!

• Browse additional 2012 election tools and resources.
• Learn more about ballot measures and voting as an ex-offender or student.
• Make voters aware of their rights at the polls in your state.
• On the go? Get the VoterHub mobile app--a collaboration between AT&T and the Voting Information Project.

On Election Day, don't hesitate to call your local elections office with questions or concerns. Find yours. 

Happy Election Day Eve from Nonprofit VOTE!

Your Election Day Toolbox

Be prepared to assist and encourage voters on Tuesday. Voters are more likely to participate if they believe turnout will be high, and your reminders can convince people to head to the polls.

Advertise polling hours prominently on your website and in your lobby. Find yours with our 50 state map and download a "Vote November 6th" poster.

Use the tools below to equip voters with the information necessary to ensure they successfully cast a ballot.

Google Poll Finder
The 2012 Google Poll Finder tool 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 to view candidates for president, Congress, and the state legislature.

• Embed the tool on your website to raise the profile of the election.
• Share the link with your audience.
• Set up a computer in your lobby to allow voters to check their voting information.

You can also use your state's online poll finder or contact your local elections office.

Check Your Registration
Wondering if and where you're registered to vote?

• 45 states have online registration look up tools.
• Contact your local elections office to confirm your registration.

Avoid potential problems at the polls and double check your registration before Election Day.

National Hotlines
If you aren't near a computer and need voting information, call a national hotline for assistance. They are also a great resource if you have trouble casting your ballot.

• Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or visit www.866ourvote.org.
• Call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (839-8682) or visit www.yaeshora.info.

Contact your local elections office for help or with questions.

Voter Guides and Sample Ballots
Nonpartisan voter guides are often provided by your Secretary of State, local chapters of the League of Women Voters, major newspapers, or voter education partners. Samples: Minnesota Votes, North Carolina Voter Guide, and California Easy Voter Guide.

You can see a list of candidates on your ballot using the Google Poll Finder tool. Sample ballots are often available on your state elections website or accessible through online voter information portals. Examples include New Mexico, Miami-Dade County, and Alabama. Paper copies are usually available at your local elections office.

And for more!

• Browse additional 2012 election tools and resources.
• Learn more about ballot measures and voting as an ex-offender or student.
• Make voters aware of their rights at the polls in your state.
• On the go? Get the VoterHub mobile app--a collaboration between AT&T and the Voting Information Project.

On Election Day, don't hesitate to call your local elections office with questions or concerns. Find yours.

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.

• Embed the tool on your website to raise the profile of the election.
• Share the link with your audience.
• Set up a computer in your lobby on Election Day to allow voters to check their voting information.

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:

• Nonprofit VOTE's 50 state map.
• Long Distance Voter's guide to early voting.

Browse additional 2012 election tools and resources and make voters aware of their rights at the polls.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.