Partner Spotlight: The Arc

We're pleased to introduce our newest 2012 national partner, The Arc! The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. As a leader in disability rights, The Arc boasts more than 140,000 members and more than 700 state and local chapters.

The Arc's mission is to ensure that every individual and family living with an intellectual or developmental disability in the U.S. has access to the information, advocacy and skills they need to participate as active citizens of our democracy and active members of their community. One of the ways The Arc does this is by encouraging voter participation. They are hosting a Disability Policy Seminar next month, which will include a session on best practices in voter engagement, featuring Nonprofit VOTE's George Pillsbury, as well as leaders from national disability organizations.

Register for Nonprofit Voter Participation Basics

There's still time to register for this weeks' webinar!

Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for Nonprofits
Thursday March 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Join us for an introduction to nonprofit voter engagement work! We'll cover the basics--like voter registration, voter education, candidate engagement, and get-out-the-vote efforts--and explain how to stay nonpartisan. The discussion will focus on ways maximize your impact while integrating outreach into services you already provide. Make sure your nonprofit is ready for the 2012 elections!

Featured Presenter: Ashley Herad is the Civic Engagement and Policy Director for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

Get Started with Voter Engagement!

With Super Tuesday behind us, there's really no reason to delay in getting started with voter engagement! To help you kick things off, we've simplified our "Get Started" page to give you a few select options for learning more about talking to your clients and constituents about this year's elections.

We've also created a new two-page checklist for nonprofits interested in getting started with voter engagement. It covers the basics for what to consider when making a plan for the first time, as well as the benefits and importance to your overall mission.

No matter what you decide to do, just remember that the key to nonprofit voter engagement is integrating it into your mission and activities you already do! Whether you get the word out by hanging a poster in your lobby or host a candidate forum, your nonprofit is empowering your clients to become active participants in the democratic process.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

The Luck o' the Vote!

The first official celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the U.S. occurred in Morristown, New Jersey in 1780 and was authorized by George Washington.

Today it's often celebrated with parades, green clothing, and parties. But before you get your green on tomorrow, use today to think about "The Luck of the Vote" and its benefits. 

Did you know that voting is tied to a host of positive civic, health, and social outcomes? Voters are more likely to volunteer, contact their elected officials, stay informed about local affairs, and contribute to their neighborhood's "social capital". But who votes (and who doesn't) isn't a matter of luck.

Voting isn't an accident, and it doesn't happen by chance. A voter is made when someone offers them the chance to register. A voter turns out because someone reminded or encouraged them to participate on Election Day. When nonprofits talk to their clients about voting, they are not only more likely to vote, but they are also more likely to talk to their friends and family about voting.

Know what else isn't based on luck? Candidate appearances and attention. Candidates spend time and money in areas where turnout is higher and where residents are engaged.

So even though voting might make you feel lucky, you don't actually have to be lucky to reap the benefits! Your nonprofit can positively impact the lives of your clients and constituents simply by encouraging voter participation. Get started today so that your community can bask in "The Luck of the Vote" this November.

N.C. Hosts Nonprofit Voter Registration Month

With March Madness gripping the nation, you might not have heard that in North Carolina March is also Nonprofit Voter Registration Month!

Democracy North Carolina, one of our state partners, is working on a 2012 Nonprofit Voter Engagement Project to encourage and support nonprofits conducting voter outreach.

Although this can take many forms--like distributing nonpartisan educational materials or mobilizing clients, staff, and volunteers to vote--this month's focus is voter registration. With a May 8th state primary (which features an amendment on same-sex marriage) coming up now is the perfect time for N.C. nonprofits to register their clients and constituents to vote. 

Democracy North Carolina can provide training, voter education materials, up-to-date information on election laws, partner with you to mobilize voters, and brainstorm and strategize with you about how to tailor a voter engagement plan to fit your organization. Don't wait! Contact Isela Gutiérrez at isela AT democracy-nc DOT org for more information.

(Image Source)

Partner Spotlight: NASS

Since 2010, Nonprofit VOTE has been an official voter participation partner of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). NASS is the nation's oldest nonpartisan professional organization for public officials and serves as a medium for the exchange of information between states and fosters cooperation in the development of public policy--including elections and voting initiatives. In the past we've worked with NASS to help them maintain their Can I Vote? website. Learn more about your state elections officials and voting in your state!

Spring Forward with Voter Engagement!

Setting the clock ahead this weekend probably got you thinking about other spring activities--like spring cleaning, spring break, and warmer weather. Before you completely fill up your spring to-do list, make sure to add a bullet for voter engagement! It's a great way to move your nonprofit and your mission forward.

As Robin Williams noted, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" And what better way to party than by talking to your clients and constituents about voting in the 2012 elections?! Let's get to it!

Learn more about getting started with voter engagement!

March Webinar: Nonprofit Voter Participation Basics

Thinking about getting started with voter engagement? Register now for our March 2012 webinar:

Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for Nonprofits
Thursday March 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Join us for an introduction to nonprofit voter engagement work! We'll cover the basics--like voter registration, voter education, candidate engagement, and get-out-the-vote efforts--and explain how to stay nonpartisan. The discussion will focus on ways maximize your impact while integrating outreach into services you already provide. Register today to make sure your nonprofit is ready for the 2012 election!

Featured Presenter: Ashley Herad is the Civic Engagement and Policy Director for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

Ex-Offender Turnout In Iowa

A recent study examines the effects of a 2005 Executive Order in Iowa that automatically restored voting rights to former felons who had completed their sentence. Before 2005, persons with felony convictions had to apply to the Governor to have their voting rights restored. Since the Executive Order was enacted, an estimated 100,000 Iowa ex-felons have had their voting rights restored.

Moreover, the analysis found that voter turnout among persons with felony convictions increased substantially following the policy change and that notification of voting rights restoration increased voter turnout among the released prisoner population by four to eight percentage points in the 2008 presidential election.

Unfortunately, in January 2011, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad issued his own Executive Order that rescinded the 2005 advancement, once again requiring ex-offenders to petition the Governor individually to have their voting rights restored. The study's authors predict that this will inhibit turnout, noting that many persons with felony convictions would vote but are discouraged because of the "burdensome application process."

This is particularly unfortunate because, in Iowa, African-Americans account for almost 25% of the prison population, although they make up only 2.8% of the state's population. This can severely impact both the civic and economic health of the community, as well as the correctional system. Research has shown that restoring voting rights to ex-offenders can reduce the recidivism rates of released prisoners.

What are the voting rights of felons in your state? Find out on our website and check out our felon disenfranchisement factsheet in English and Spanish.

(Image Source)

Black History Month Voting Facts

As Black History Month comes to a close, we wanted to share some voting statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

11.1 million black voters cast a ballot in the 2010 congressional election, making up 12% of the electorate--a slight increase from 11 percent of the total electorate in 2006.
 
55% of eligible black youth ages 18 to 24 turned out in the 2008 presidential election, an 8 percentage point increase from 2004, and the highest turnout rate among all 18- to 24-year-olds.

65% of black citizens turned out in the 2008 presidential election, up about 5 percentage points from 2004.

Black participation rates are on the rise, but we can do even better in 2012. Make sure your organization has a plan for talking to your clients and constituents about voting in this year's elections. Get started today!

Statistics come from the U.S. Census Bureau, Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 and Voting and Registration in the Election of 2010.

(Image Source)

Arizona Nonprofits in Action

Many in Arizona's nonprofit community are working diligently to register and educate voters with the goal of increasing voter turnout this November.

This year, the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits is collaborating with several partners to offer tools and assistance to organizations interested in actively engaging their stakeholders. The next event--kicking off their voter registration phase--will be a voter engagement workshop on Friday, March 16, presented by Reclaiming Our Community's Power.

The Alliance has also partnered with the O'Connor House Centennial Voter Initiative, which is creating a broad-based coalition of partners to “stimulate an informed and engaged electorate, create more awareness of the importance of voting, provide easy access to fact-based information, register significant numbers of people regardless of party or views, and to get people to the polls in record numbers.”

And of course, they frequently share Nonprofit VOTE resources with their network. Arizona nonprofits are voterizing! Will you join them?

February Webinar Materials

Missed yesterday's webinar, States Move to Restrict Voting: What Your Nonprofit Can Do to Defend the Right to Vote? No problem!

Watch the webinar on our YouTube channel. 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 learn more about voting in your state and voter suppression litigation.

Registration is now open for our March webinar, Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for Nonprofits. RSVP today!

Nonprofits in Action: Native Vote

In his 2012 State of Indian Nations address, the National Congress of American Indians president called for Indian Country to "work tirelessly in 2012 to see the highest Native turnout ever."

To raise participation rates, Native Vote--an ongoing campaign to inform and support Native voters--has developed a focused plan to engage their constituents, starting with the basics: training. They are hosting both an in-person training and a webinar on "Native Vote for Nonprofits".

Native Vote urges supports to be active by:  

• Attending a webinar or training to learn how to get involved.
• Interacting and sharing information on NativeVote.org, Twitter, and Facebook. Like Native Vote and help them get 20,000 likes by Election Day!
• Identifying a Native Vote Coordinator for your tribe. 
• Distributing educational materials to voters and candidates about Indian Country issues.
• Registering to vote.
• Talking to your friends and family about the importance of voting.

Native Vote has produced a variety of resources for community organizers, candidates and other officials, including a pledge card, Native Vote toolkit, and a forthcoming youth curriculum.

Whether or not you work with Native communities, your nonprofit can learn from Native Vote's tactics, creativity, and initiative. Follow their lead and help empower your community this November!

Partner Spotlight: Coalition on Human Needs

One of our newest national partners, the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) is an alliance of national organizations working to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people. Like many nonprofits involved in advocacy and public policy work, CHN believes that voter engagement complements these efforts.

The Coalition on Human Needs is active in voter engagement and co-hosted a webinar last month on nonprofit do's and don'ts in an election year. Through the webinar, CHN encouraged its network to use voter engagement to think about activities and opportunities to advance the anti-poverty framework they support. Follow CHN's lead and voterize your nonprofit!

Register Now for Thursday's Webinar

There's still time to register for this week's webinar!

States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote
Thursday February 23rd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Last year there was an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. Unfortunately, that effort continues in 2012. Many of these new laws require voters to provide photo ID at the polls, mandate proof of citizenship before registering to vote, and place severe restrictions on third party voter registration drives. Join us for more on these issues and how you can educate your constituents about the changes, as well as ideas for helping to counter them.

Featured Presenter: Ben Hovland is a Senior Attorney with the Fair Elections Legal Network.

Uncertain Future for Montana’s Corrupt Practice Act

For over a century, Montana has prohibited corporate political spending. However, the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections on the basis that it does "not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption." After the ruling, at least nine of the 24 states with campaign laws threatened by Citizens United either repealed or suspended them.

Bolstered by the Citizens decision, three corporations filed suit last year to overturn Montana's 1912 Corrupt Practices Act, passed by voter referendum.

So far, the Act has been upheld by the Montana Supreme Court based on "an extraordinary history of political corruption by out-of-state foreign corporations and interests in the years leading up to the aptly-named Act, maintaining an extraordinarily accessible government in a sparsely populated state, and preserving citizens' control of and confidence in an elected judiciary."

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock further argues that the Act "imposes far different obligations, and therefore affects corporate speech in a far different manner, than the federal law at issue in Citizens United." To many, it seems unlikely that the Supreme Court will accept Montana's argument, but whatever the outcome, it will surely shape this year's election cycle. 

(Image Source)

Want a Voting Presentation for Your Conference?

Inspired by the impressive work of their peers, countless nonprofits are doing voter engagement outreach for the first time this year. Many organizations are spreading the word by including voter engagement panels and breakout sessions at their annual conferences or inviting guest speakers to special events. Jump start this important conversation in your network by highlighting voter engagement at your upcoming convening!

Nonprofit VOTE is presenting at the policy convenings and national conferences of Independent Sector, Lutheran Services in America, APIA Vote, Smart Start/NC Partnership for Children, and Midwest Democracy Network, where we'll be talking about voter engagement tactics and tips for 2012. Interested in having Nonprofit VOTE coordinate a presenter or speaker for your conference, event, or convening? Contact us!

Engage Candidates in 2012

Take advantage of the 2012 election coverage and engage the candidates! A presidential election piques interest in both local and national politics, so many candidates are eager to participate in a variety of events. Connect with them by hosting a candidate forum, inviting them to an event, or giving them research and information about the issues you advocate for.

Your nonprofit might not have access to a presidential candidate, but there are plenty of opportunities to engage candidates in other races. In California, the Center for Nonprofit Management and Southern California Grantmakers have partnered to host a Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Forum on February 28.

Cara Underwood, Southern California Grantmakers' Public Policy Manager, cited Nonprofit VOTE's webinar, "Nonpartisan Candidate Forums: Building Political Clout for Your Nonprofit" as a helpful planning resource. Check out our other resources on candidate engagement and get started today!

• "Working with Candidates" Factsheet
• "Hosting a Candidate Forum" Online Training
• "A Nonprofit's Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum"

February Webinar: Defending the Right to Vote

Register now for our February 2012 webinar!

States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote
Thursday February 23rd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Last year there was an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. Unfortunately, that effort continues in 2012. Many of these new laws require voters to provide photo ID at the polls, mandate proof of citizenship before registering to vote, and place severe restrictions on third party voter registration drives. Join us for more on these issues and how you can educate your constituents about the changes, as well as ideas for helping to counter them.

Featured Presenter: Ben Hovland is a Senior Attorney with the Fair Elections Legal Network.

NAACP Reports on "Block the Vote" Efforts

The NAACP recently produced a report, "Defending Democracy: Confronting Modern Barriers to Voting Rights in America," that contextualizes the emergence of recent "block the vote" measures and explains their potential effects.

The report examines a slew of legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, and voting laws that have been enacted or proposed: 14 states have passed 25 measures designed to restrict or limit ballot access, including new and enhanced voter identification requirements, provisions that curtail access to voter registration, limits on registration drives, and reduced voting periods.

Unfortunately, many of these restrictions will disproportionately affect the populations that nonprofits serve, particularly minorities, low-income voters, the elderly, and young people.

But most importantly, the report offers ideas for how to counter these efforts and expand access to our democracy by:

1. Informing yourself about voting laws and how they affect you.
2. Equipping your community with the information needed to ensure that all eligible voters are able to successfully cast a ballot.
3. Practicing “Each One, Bring One” by bringing an eligible first-time voter, or returning voter who otherwise might not vote, with you when you vote on Election Day.
4. Volunteering to serve as a poll worker, monitor, or translator who assists voters on Election Day.
5. Taking action to urge your elected officials to fight these restrictive election laws.

Read the report, and join our February webinar "States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote" to learn more.

(Image Source)