Thank You for an Incredible 2013!

Before 2013 comes to a close, we want to a take a brief moment to thank our partners, our supporters, and nonprofits across the country for supporting voting.

2013 was an exciting year for Nonprofit VOTE:

• We debuted brand-new research on the impact of nonprofit voter engagement, including both turnout data and case studies. 
• The second annual National Voter Registration Day was once again endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State and embraced by secretaries of state across the country.
• We released the latest report in our America Goes to the Polls series as well as an accompanying report on voter turnout gaps. 
• We concluded another successful run of our annual webinar series, all of which can be watched anytime on our YouTube channel.

There will be plenty for nonprofits to do in 2014. In case you want to get a jump on things, you can register now for our January 23rd webinar on making a voter engagement plan.

Thank you for everything and Happy New Year from Nonprofit VOTE!

Secretaries of State Embrace National Voter Registration Day

Not only did the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) declare September National Voter Registration Month, but they once again endorsed National Voter Registration Day (NVRD).

On Tuesday September 24th, more than a dozen secretaries of state participated in the second annual National Voter Registration Day by promoting voter registration, hosting special events, or joining the online conversation.

The 2013-14 NASS president, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, was particularly engaged in National Voter Registration Month and NVRD. He encouraged Tennessee voters to snap photos holding an "I'm registered to vote. Are you?" sign and share them online. Secretary Hargett led by example, posting his picture on Twitter and the GoVoteTN website. 

On National Voter Registration Day, Hargett's Twitter feed was full of these photo retweets (including state election commissioners), facts about voting (like "Voting keeps your status active, but if your address has changed you need to change your address with the election commission."), and links to voting information.

Secretaries of State from Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana. Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas also tweeted about #CelebrateNVRD. They encouraged voters to register, check their registration status, and make updates as necessary. States that allow online registration, like California and Washington, made it easy to "check 'registering to vote' off your to-do list" by directing voters to online registration portals.

In Georgia, the Secretary of State shared information on current voter registration numbers and demographics. Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill launched a high school voter registration contest. In his NVRD press release, the Kansas Secretary of State sought to promote awareness for voter registration requirements, including resources that cover ID and proof of citizenship requirements.

On September 24th, secretaries of state across the country not only affirmed the importance of voting, but also demonstrated their commitment to engaging voters and promoting voter registration. Now, as they say in Louisiana, Let's Geaux Vote!

It's National Voter Registration Day!

Today is National Voter Registration Day! This second annual holiday for democracy will bring together hundreds of organizations across the country as we register our communities to vote. Participate in the celebration by:

• Joining the conversation. Celebrate NVRD by promoting voter registration--send emails to colleagues, tweet with #CelebrateNVRD, and encourage others to spread the word and register. 
• Canvassing your office. Help ensure eligible coworkers are registered and that their information is current. 
• Registering to vote or updating your registration. Have you moved recently? Update your information. 

Whatever you do, use September 24th to help all eligible citizens register and prepare to vote!

Webinar Materials: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

Yesterday's webinar, Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits, is now available. Many thanks to Rebecca Gorrell from the Colorado Participation Project for joining us for this discussion.

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 voter registration to learn more.

Don't forget that it's National Voter Registration Month and that Tuesday September 24th is National Voter Registration Day. Visit the NVRD website to find events, view communications samples, and more.

Tomorrow: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

To help your community vote, you must first ensure that they are registered. There's still time to register for tomorrow's webinar:
 
Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits
Thursday September 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Voter registration is a foundational voter engagement activity. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can integrate voter registration into the work you already do. We'll discuss nonpartisan dos and don'ts, different state requirements, registration tactics, and more. We'll also cover National Voter Registration Day, coming up on September 24th.

Featured Presenter: Rebecca Gorrell is the Deputy Director of the Colorado Participation Project. She has 12 years of nonprofit management, development, and volunteer experience at organizations throughout Colorado. She has also been involved in diverse campaign and electoral efforts in Denver as a poll worker, poll watcher, and canvasser.

Pull Out Those Calendars: Preparing for the 2014 Midterm

Is it too soon to think about next year's national midterm and the election of Congress, one-third of the Senate, two-thirds of state governors, and almost all state legislatures? No, definitely not. Unfortunately, most nonprofits won't even begin considering their November 2014 plans until the end of next summer. In such a small window, there is little time to plan, much less implement effective registration, education, and get-out-the-vote activities.

Why nonprofits should get involved in nonpartisan election activity 
Voting is associated with a host of positive attributes:

• People who register and vote are more likely to talk to their neighbors, meet with local officials, and engage in other civic actions. 
• Studies show that states with higher voting levels have higher levels of self-reported health, lower ex-offender recidivism rates, and even lower unemployment. 

Besides empowering their constituents, higher participation rates help nonprofits further their missions and complement advocacy and public policy work. Because of the populations nonprofits reach, their voter engagement efforts have the potential to significantly contribute to the diversity of the electorate.

Our new report illustrates the impact of personal voter outreach by nonprofit service providers in raising turnout out rates among those least expected to vote and in closing gaps in voter participation across all demographics. By tracking the voters contacted by 94 nonprofits during the 2012 election cycle, we found:

• The clients and constituents engaged by nonprofits were markedly more diverse, lower income, and younger than the general population of registered voters in their states. 
• 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 political campaigns typically miss. 

Voter engagement should be a year-round activity
As our report shows, nonprofits have an important role to play in getting their communities involved in the fundamental democratic act of voting. There are many ways organizations can make voter engagement a year-round activity and then jumpstart or increase activity during a national or local election.

Ensure that ways to get involved in voting are visible year-round at your organization. Talk about voting on your website and in your communications. Place a voter registration link or tool on your website, along with relevant election information and resources from Nonprofit VOTE and Bolder Advocacy.

Make voter engagement part of your organizational mission and culture. Have a conversation with your leadership about voter engagement, why it makes sense for your nonprofit, ideas for implementation, and your plans for 2014. Leadership support can facilitate staff buy-in and help make voter outreach an ongoing priority. It also creates a foundation for including civic engagement in your organization's mission statement.

Celebrate National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday September 24, 2013 to demonstrate your organization's support for voter participation. It could even be the perfect time to test out methods and strategies for registering voters at your organization.

Knowing that nonprofits can have an incredible impact on turnout when they talk to their clients and communities about voting, now is the time to start thinking about how you can help yours successfully register and participate in 2014 and the years to come. Visit Bolder Advocacy's Election page and Nonprofit VOTE's site for resources and materials to get started.

A version of this post appeared on the Bolder Advocacy blog.

Next Week: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

To help your community vote, you must first ensure that they are registered. Learn more about during our next webinar:
 
Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits
Thursday September 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Voter registration is a foundational voter engagement activity. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can integrate voter registration into the work you already do. We'll discuss nonpartisan dos and don'ts, different state requirements, registration tactics, and more. We'll also cover National Voter Registration Day, coming up on September 24th.

Featured Presenter: Rebecca Gorrell is the Deputy Director of the Colorado Participation Project. She has 12 years of nonprofit management, development, and volunteer experience at organizations throughout Colorado. She has also been involved in diverse campaign and electoral efforts in Denver as a poll worker, poll watcher, and canvasser.

National Voter Registration Day Webinar Materials

Yesterday's webinar, National Voter Registration Day is September 24th, is now available. Many thanks to Emily Alsleben of the Bus Federation and Maggie Duncan from the League of Women Voters for joining us to discuss this exciting event.

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 visit www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org to learn more.

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.

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!

What Comes After National Voter Registration Day?

Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day--the highlight of National Voter Registration Month--but that's not the end of the story.

National Voter Registration Day is part of a larger movement within the nonprofit sector, recognizing the many benefits of voting. Registered voters are six times more likely to contact or visit a public official and three times more likely to participate in a school group or neighborhood or community association. Additionally, voting is linked to higher levels of self-reported health and lower recidivism rates for ex-offenders.

If you didn't register yesterday, there's still time--how much depends on your state. Check your state deadline. Once you've registered or updated your registration, encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to do the same.

Remember that registering is only a first step and there's still a ballot to cast. Luckily you might not have to wait until November 6th! In 2008 about 33% of votes were cast before Election Day and in 2012 that number is expected to top 40%. Learn about early voting options--both in-person and by mail--in your state.

Once you're registered and ready to vote, there's still plenty you can do to encourage others. 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. Building on this in 2012, Nonprofit VOTE is encouraging nonprofits to visibly support voting and order a "Vote November 6" kit which includes a poster, button, stickers, and a list of sample activities for nonprofits. We're also hosting a special web event on October 11th--Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day--which will focus on get-out-the-vote strategies and include a discussion with sector leaders.

Increasing voter participation nationwide isn't a one-time effort. It requires a sustained culture shift that emphasizes participation. Nonprofit VOTE is here to help nonprofits across the country do just that, both now and after the election. For additional ideas, browse our list of 10 Things to Do Between Now and Election Day.

Now go register to vote, update your registration, or double check your registration status!

Celebrate National Voter Registration Day Today!

It's September 25th and thousands of nonprofits across the country are registering their communities to vote!

Today is the highlight of National Voter Registration Month. Ask everyone on your staff or visiting your nonprofit if they're registered to vote or if their voter registration is up-to-date. Even if you aren't actively registering voters, you can still celebrate by checking your registration status and offering reminders about requirements and upcoming registration deadlines.

Need information on registering to vote? Download voter registration forms and learn about voter registration in your state. Depending on where you live you might even be able to register online!

Follow the action on Twitter with @925NVRD and join the conversation using #925NVRD. Attending or hosting an event? Keep us posted on Facebook.

It's full steam ahead until November 6th, so happy National Voter Registration Day!

Four Ways to Promote Voting Now!

Election Day is just weeks away and your voter engagement efforts can have an enormous impact on turnout. Voter registration deadlines are fast approaching but early voting will be underway in many states before they've even passed. In 2008 about 33% of ballots were cast before Election Day--either by mail or in person. This year as many as 40% of ballots are expected to be cast before November 6th. The effort to turn out voters has already begun and your organization can help. Use the ideas below to engage your community and ensure everyone participates on November 6th!

1. Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 25th and join thousands of nonprofits across the country as we register our communities to vote. It can be as simple as registering your staff or publicizing the voter registration deadline.
2. Support voting and order a free "Vote November 6" kit--it includes a poster, button, stickers, and a list of sample activities for nonprofits. Use the materials to spark conversations about the election and increase turnout.
3. Educate voters on their early voting options. Help voters request an absentee ballot or find an early voting location. Get more information about absentee and early voting in your state.
4. Register for our October 11th web event--Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day--for nonprofit-specific get-out-the-vote strategies and a discussion with sector leaders.

For additional ideas, browse our list of 10 Things to Do Between Now and Election Day.

National Voter Registration Day is Almost Here!

September 25th is almost here and there's plenty you can do to ensure your community is registered and ready to vote! On November 6th, 90% of registered voters will vote, compared to 0% of unregistered voters.

Yesterday's webinar, National Voter Registration Day: Get Involved, is now available. Watch the presentation on YouTube, download the PowerPoint and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our voter registration resources.

Join thousands of nonprofits across the country during National Voter Registration Month and for National Voter Registration Day on September 25th as we register our communities to vote.

Download voter registration forms. Learn about voter registration in your state.

Even if you don't actively register voters, you can still offer frequent reminders and make voters aware of registration requirements and deadlines. Use your communications--both in person and online--to talk about registering to vote.

While September is the perfect time to focus on voter registration because of upcoming registration deadlines, it isn't too early to start thinking about your get-out-the-vote plans!

• Register for next week's webinar on get-out-the-vote strategies for nonprofits.
• Order a free "Vote November 6" kit--which includes a poster, button, and stickers!

Take Action Ahead of Registration Deadlines

The National Association of Secretaries of State has declared September 2012 National Voter Registration Month and September 25th National Voter Registration Day.

September is the perfect time to focus on voter registration as 48 states and the District of Columbia have voter registration deadlines in October. In 2008, six million potential voters failed to cast a ballot because they missed a voter registration deadline or didn't know how to register to vote. Ensure your community is fully engaged in 2012 by taking action this month to help your constituents register to vote:

• Download Nonprofit VOTE's "Register to Vote" poster in both Spanish and English and display it in a high-traffic area--be sure to include information on where and how to register.
• Make voter registration forms available on-site in your lobby or at intake. Provide instructions and assistance on how to complete and return the forms.
• Hold a voter registration drive during the two weeks before the deadline. Learn about voter registration in your state and how to obtain and return forms.
• Remind voters that they need to update their voter registration if they've recently moved or changed their name.
• Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 25th and register your community before the 2012 deadlines pass.

Join Nonprofit VOTE and the National Association of Secretaries of State in making voters aware of registration deadlines and requirements for the November 6th election!

Only 3 Weeks Until National Voter Registration Day!

National Voter Registration Day is just three weeks away, but there's still time to join the thousands of volunteers and organizations who have already signed on.

National Voter Registration Day: Get Involved!
Tuesday September 11th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

On September 25th, 2012 thousands of nonprofits, civic groups, and volunteers across the country will band together for National Voter Registration Day--an effort to encourage and assist all Americans to register to vote ahead of the November 6th presidential election. It's a great one-day event that any nonprofit can tap into. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can participate in this nationwide effort and utilize the opportunity to help register your clients, constituents, and community members.

Featured Presenters: Richelle DeVoe is the Field Director for the Bus Federation Civic Fund and is coordinating National Voter Registration Day's field efforts. She previously served as the Fund's National Field Coordinator for the first national Trick or Vote campaign, which successfully coordinated events in over 38 states. Jessica Reeves is the Marketing and Partnership Manager at Voto Latino, where she works on creative development, brand management, marketing, and strategic planning. She is a marketing and advertising specialist with experience in the general and Hispanic markets, and has helped build digital and social media campaigns for Kraft, Twix, Domino's, and other multinational corporations.

NASS Declares Sept. 25 National Voter Registration Day

The National Association of Secretaries of State has officially declared September 25th, 2012 National Voter Registration Day! Read the full release.

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is a nonpartisan professional organization for state officials and its members include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa. NASS facilitates the exchange of information between states and fosters cooperation in the development of public policy--including voting and election initiatives.

This declaration, coming from a leading bi-partisan organization of state elections leaders, further reinforces the importance of registering and voting in 2012.

On September 25, nonprofits and volunteers across the country will engage their communities to help register or re-register thousands of voters ahead of various deadlines. National Voter Registration Day is a great one-day activity that any nonprofit can leverage to help their community register and vote.

Your organization can still sign on to participate in National Voter Registration Day. In order to receive a hard-copy toolkit, be sure to register before September 1st.

Learn how your nonprofit can get involved in National Voter Registration Day and help your community participate in 2012!

Two Months until National Voter Registration Day!

The countdown is officially on with only two months until National Voter Registration Day on September 25th!

In 2008, 6 million Americans didn't vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn't know how to register. In 2012, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. On September 25, 2012, organizations across the country will participate in National Voter Registration Day to contact and register tens of thousands of voters who would not otherwise be reached about this year's election.

Your nonprofit can tap into this special day by signing on as a partner to organize a voter registration activity or spread the word about National Voter Registration Day and voter registration.

It's a great one-day opportunity for any nonprofit to help register their staff, community, and the people they serve. Nonprofits who sign up will receive a National Voter Registration Day toolkit and support for conducting voter registration on the 25th.

Be part of a nationwide network of local organizations committed to registering their clients and their communities on September 25th!

Join today!

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan event supported by the League of Women Voters, Nonprofit VOTE, Voto Latino, Rock the Vote, Tumblr, and a growing list of nonprofit and civic partners across the country.

Participate in National Voter Registration Day!

Yesterday's webinar, National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved, is now available. With so many great questions from participants, you'll definitely want to check out these materials!

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 voter registration resources.

After you watch the video, visit the National Voter Registration Day website to learn more and get involved on September 25!

There's plenty your organization can do in addition to registering voters! Your nonprofit can also play a critical role in ensuring your community has the information and resources needed to successfully cast a ballot. Join us on July 26 for our next webinar, Nonprofits and Election Protection, to learn more. RSVP today!

National Voter Registration Day Webinar on Thursday

The only way to ensure that your clients and constituents can vote in November is to make sure they're registered! Join us on Thursday for:

National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved
Thursday July 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

On September 25th, 2012 thousands of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers across the country will band together for National Voter Registration Day--an effort to encourage and assist all Americans to register to vote ahead of the November 6th presidential election. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can participate in this nationwide effort and utilize the opportunity to help register your clients, constituents, and community members.

Featured Presenters: Richelle DeVoe is the Field Director for the Bus Federation Civic Fund and is coordinating National Voter Registration Day's field efforts. She previously served as the Fund's National Field Coordinator for the first national Trick or Vote campaign, which successfully coordinated events in over 38 states. Jessica Reeves is the Marketing and Partnership Manager at Voto Latino, where she works on creative development, brand management, marketing, and strategic planning. She is a marketing and advertising specialist with experience in the general and Hispanic markets, and has helped build digital and social media campaigns for Kraft, Twix, Domino's, and other multinational corporations.