"Young Black Voters: The Future of American Politics"

Last month the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Cathy Cohen--a political science professor at the University of Chicago--who addressed "Young Black Voters 2008 to 2012: The Future of American Politics."

The 2008 presidential election saw an increase of 3.4 million young voters, when youth turnout rose to 53% (an 11% increase over 2000). Black and Latino youth fueled the gains, and in fact, 53% of black youth voted in 2008, 4% more than white youth.

One of Dr. Cohen’s major arguments was that there is no homogeneous "youth vote" and lumping younger voters together under that heading does a major disservice to all young people.

Why is it important to distinguish between different youth factions? Youth have different views on various issues. For example, 69% of black youth think that racism is still a major problem, compared to 51% of Latino youth and 31% of white youth. And when asked if they feel like a full and equal citizen, 66% of white youth and 63% of Asian youth said yes, while only 43% of black youth and 43% of Latino youth said yes.

Moreover, only 55% of black students graduate from high school--compared to 78% of white students--and 35% of black children live in poverty. Currently, black men have the highest unemployment rate among youth. The various individuals who make up the "youth" voting bloc vote for different reasons and are motivated by different issues. That is why it is important not to categorize them all together as simply "youth."

Reaching out to all young voters is critical because individuals 18-35 are the group least likely to be contacted by a political party. College is traditionally an institution that mobilizes young people, which means that we must have other methods of targeting youth that are not enrolled in college.

In 2008, we saw many innovative mobilization strategies, such as the use of community organizations and new media. Dr. Cohen said that the key to organizing young black voters in 2012 will be to reach first time voters and non-college young people through innovative and non-traditional strategies, with messaging on issues that are important to them. Through this work, we can counter the conventional wisdom that black youth are not interested in politics.

By heightening the involvement of young people, we are building sustained civic communities. Cultivating a sense of civic duty and encouraging lifelong voting habits among all youth are critical for national civic health and the future of our democracy. At Nonprofit VOTE, we think that nonprofit organizations and social service agencies have a role to play in this movement. Such organizations are well-positioned to begin to address these participation gaps and reach out to potential voters.

Learn more about Dr. Cohen and her work.

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And the Oscar Goes to...

Unfortunately you'll have to wait until Sunday night to find out who takes home the coveted awards. But until then, read on to learn how actors, directors, and films make it to podium.

Oscar Votes 1-2-3 (a project of FairVote) explains the voting system utilized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For more than sixty years, the Academy has used proportional voting to nominate candidates in all award categories.

Choice voting or "single transferable vote" is used to select nominees in all categories and is a process designed to accommodate a large number of candidates while accurately reflecting the preferences of voters.

The 5,500 voting members of the Academy are divided into voting groups based on their professional specialty. In the nominating elections, these groups vote only for candidates within their specialty. However, in the Best Picture category, all 5,755 academy members get to vote in the nominating contest. Read a detailed explanation of how nominees are selected.

Starting in 2009, things changed slightly for the Best Picture award, which is now selected by instant runoff voting. Read more about how the Best Picture is chosen.

Want to get in on the action? You can vote using FairVote’s instant runoff ballot. And don't forget to tune in Sunday night to see if you favorites made the cut!

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Nonprofit VOTE Webinar Series Returns in March!

The dates are set for our first two webinars of 2011! Please join us for:

Getting a Seat at the Table: What Nonprofits Should Know About Redistricting
Wednesday, March 16th at 2:00pm Eastern
Redistricting is right around the corner and critical decisions will be made that can affect our communities, our missions, and our funding for the next decade. Tune in to learn the basics and find out how your nonprofit can get involved.

Featured Presenter: Justin Levitt is an Associate Professor of Law at Loyola Law School and author of "The Citizen's Guide to Redistricting."

RSVP Now!


Power in Numbers: Putting 2010 Census Data to Use
Thursday, April 7th at 2:00pm Eastern
If you work for a nonprofit, chances are you've come across or used Census data. Learn more about how you can access and use this powerful data. Whether you're an expert at using Census data, an intermediate, or brand new, this webinar will give you practical tips and takeaways for finding, using, and applying Census information to your organization's mission, programs, and fundraising.

Featured Presenters: Terri Ann Lowenthal is an independent legislative and policy consultant specializing in the Census and federal statistics. Terri Ann is a leading national expert on the Census and the Census Project 2010, as well as other nonprofit sector initiatives. Todd Clausen is the Data Center Coordinator at the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee and trains nonprofits in using Census and other data to build capacity and promote community-based decision-making.

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FVAP Poster & Slogan Contest

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides U.S. citizens worldwide with nonpartisan information and assistance to ensure they can participate in our democratic process, no matter where they live or work.

Now, the FVAP is asking all U.S. citizens to help them gear up for their 2012-13 outreach campaign. They are soliciting ideas for a simple slogan that expresses the importance of voting and will inspire others to vote, as well as artwork for a poster that illustrates what it means to be an American voter anywhere in the world.

You can submit slogans and designs through April 8th. The winning slogan and design will be featured online, in the 2012-13 Voting Assistance Guide, on posters, and more.

If you don't have an idea, you can still participate! From April 11-15, the public will be able to vote for their favorites. Read the full slogan and poster contest details.

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E-learning Resources from the FEC

Did you know the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has e-learning resources? While some are geared toward candidates and campaign regulations, others are targeted toward individual voters. These include:

• An overview of the Commission and the laws it administers and enforces.
• An overview of the volunteer activities individuals may engage in to support federal candidates.
• An overview of the limitations and prohibitions that apply to campaign contributions.

Ever wonder what candidates do with their leftover campaign funds? The FEC also covers what candidates can and can't do with the unspent portion of contributions.

Seen them all? Sign up to be notified when new materials become available.

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EAC Maps Certified Voting Systems

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has created an interactive map that shows where federally certified voting systems were used during the 2010 federal election. The map allows users to access information about EAC-certified voting systems, such as the county in which they were used, test reports issued during the certification process, and any advisory alerts. This mapping tool helps the EAC better communicate with the public about important issues such as potential performance problems.

The map also depicts state requirements for voting system certification: sixteen states have no federal requirement; nine require testing to federal standards; thirteen states require testing by a federally accredited laboratory, and; twelve states require federal certification. Since 2007, under the Help America Vote Act, the EAC has accredited voting system test laboratories and certified voting equipment. State participation is the program is voluntary.

What kind of voting system does your county use?

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Show Your Love for Elections

Happy Valentine’s Day! After you shower your loved ones with attention and sugar, think about sharing you love for elections with another nonprofit!

The 2012 election cycle may seem far away, but it's closer than you think! We have seen time and again that nonprofits play a critical role in helping the people they serve get out and vote. Because your nonprofit already does voter engagement work, you are well positioned to mobilize other nonprofits. Invite another organization to get involved now so that they can prepare before it's election crunch time. Take the first step today and forward the February Nonprofit Voter to one of your nonprofit colleagues.

Thanks for sharing the love, and don’t forget to spread the word!

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Nonprofit Election Survey Results

Nonprofit VOTE would like to thank the hundreds of local nonprofits and service providers that responded to our online survey about their 2010 voter engagement activities. The survey examined how nonprofit staff and stakeholders approached voter engagement work, which activities were most common, which materials were used most frequently, their value to the nonprofit, and more. Here is some of what we found:

• In the past, nonprofits have frequently equated voter engagement with voter registration. However, equal numbers of survey respondents reported carrying out voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote activities. This is an encouraging sign and demonstrates that many nonprofits have embraced a broader approach to voter engagement work.
• Almost a quarter of respondents either sponsored or co-sponsored a candidate forum!
  
• Beyond voter engagement activities, many nonprofits undertook measures to support and improve our democracy--nearly half of respondents encouraged staff and others to volunteer as poll workers, while nearly a quarter distributed information on election reform.
• Nonprofits continue to utilize Nonprofit VOTE’s website and complimentary materials, with posters and fact sheets being the most popular.
  

Now for the best news--almost all of the survey's respondents reported that they are already planning to promote voter participation in 2012! Are you?

Download the full report to learn more about nonprofit voter engagement in 2010.

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The Census Releases New Data

...and it doesn't bring good news for New Orleans. Last week, the Census Bureau released new data showing that New Orleans experienced a population loss of 140,845 residents--a drop of 29% from 2000. In addition to losing New Orleans city residents, Louisiana also lost a congressional seat (down to six from seven).

Because of the exodus in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the percentage of black population fell to 60.2% from 67.3%. Jacques Morial, a community organizer, thinks that "The city is more affluent, more Latin and a little whiter than it was before Katrina." Many poor residents have stayed away because fewer than a quarter of the city's 4,200 public housing units demolished by the storm have been rebuilt. "The people who've had the hardest time getting back to New Orleans are those who had the fewest resources," said Tom Piazza, author and city resident.

In addition to Louisiana, the Census Bureau also released data for Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia because their election cycles are among the earliest. Check out the latest Census widget below for more details.



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NASS to Host Winter Conference

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)--a Nonprofit VOTE partner--will host its 2011 Winter Conference in Washington, DC this weekend from February 10-14.

While the conference covers numerous topics under the jurisdiction of Secretaries of State, many sessions are devoted to discussing election-related issues. For example, one will address the implementation and future plans for the MOVE Act as well as the enforcement of federal voting laws. Additionally, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission will give an update on their current status. During the conference, Michael McDonald, a member of the Nonprofit VOTE Advisory Board will present an "Analysis of Voter Turnout, Voter Registration, and Early Voting in the 2010 General Election."

See the full agenda and look out for conference attendee tweets!

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Advocacy for Nonprofits - Web Training in Spanish

Taller en espanol sobre promocion y defensa de causas de organizaciones 501(c)(3)

The Alliance for Justice is offering its lobbying and advocacy web training in spanish. It has four scheduled for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in 2011. The first one is Tuesday, February 15 at 2 ET. For more information, go here. Or contact AFJ at advocacy@afj.org.

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Constituents Matter!

The Congressional Management Foundation released a new report based on the results of 260 congressional staff who were surveyed on their opinions about practices related to constituent communications.

Here are some takeaways from "Communicating with Congress":

• 57% of staff felt email and the Internet have made Senators and Representatives more accountable to their constituents.
• 90% said postal mail (and 88% said email) from a constituent would influence an undecided Member of Congress.
  
• Most of the staff surveyed said constituent visits to the Washington office (97%) and to the district or state office (94%) have "some" or "a lot" of influence on an undecided Member.
• Staff also said questions at town hall meetings (87%) and letters to the editor (80%) have "some" or "a lot" of influence.
  

Constituents still have competition--81% of staff said that lobbyists have some influence in the decision making process--although visits from constituents were said to be more influential. While the results of the study are based on self-reporting, and must be analyzed as such, they still reveal important information on how members of Congress view their constituents.

No matter your method of communication, "personal stories really are what make a difference for members...because they know it's far easier to send a form campaign to Capitol Hill."

The moral of the story? Put on your walking shoes and get on over to city hall, the state house, or Capitol Hill and tell your elected officials what you think. Too much snow? Then write an email from your couch, or put a letter in the mail. It'll go a long way.

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State of the Union Tonight

Tonight is President Obama's State of the Union address, and the White House Blog recently posted a piece on "The State of the Union and You."

So in case you were wondering how to participate in the annual address, here are two foolproof steps:

Step One: Watch the address at 9pm Eastern. If you don't have a TV, you can watch it online at WhiteHouse.gov. Want company? Organize a viewing party with friends or coworkers! Note that tonight will be the first time in recent memory that some members of Congress will sit next to a colleague from a different party.

Step Two: Now that you've watched the address, decide how you want to engage. No need to rush your choice though, because there will be opportunities all week: right after the address, Senior White House officials will answer questions; on Wednesday before his briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will take questions via Twitter, and; on Thursday President Obama will answer questions live during a YouTube interview. See the blog for details and a list of ways to participate.

And if you want something less official? The League of Young Voters Education Fund is broadcasting a live panel discussion immediately following the address. You can follow updates on Twitter via #BarackTalk or watch it online.

Almost forgot Step Three: Enjoy!

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Tweet No More

This just in: Twitter has been banned from office computers in the Massachusetts Legislature! The Legislative Information Services department said the decision to block Twitter is due to the site’s vulnerability to viruses. However, the ban only applies to computers in legislative offices, so members of the legislature can still tweet from smart phones. Interestingly, the governor and his staff are not prohibited from accessing Twitter on their office computers.

Elected officials across the country are using twitter to create their own content and communicate directly with constituents. Sarah Scalese, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts House Minority Leader pointed out that, "Republicans [in Massachusetts] don't always get face time on TV...We need to utilize every available resource possible."

The debate over whether or not to tweet goes far beyond Massachusetts. Many on Capitol Hill have embraced the new social media tool, and TweetCongress allows you to search for the Twitter handles of your Congressional representatives. In addition to supplying information on who is and isn't tweeting, TweetCongress encourages more members of Congress to use Twitter to better communicate with the people they represent.

If your representatives were on Twitter, would you follow them?

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Iowa Limits Felon Voting Rights (Again)

This week, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad issued executive order 70, rescinding former Governor Tom Vilsack's 2005 order that automatically restored voting rights to felons who had served their jail time. Since Governor Vilsack's executive order was enacted, an estimated 100,000 Iowa ex-felons have had their voting rights restored.

However, under Governor Branstad, felons will once again be required to petition the governor individually to have their voting rights restored. He said, "That means not only serving the time, but paying the fine, the court costs and the restitution to the victim."

The Iowa chapter of the NAACP responded, stating that the requirement was "reminiscent of Jim Crow-era laws that discourage blacks from voting," and likened it to a poll tax. In Iowa, African-Americans make up only 2.8% of the state's population, but account for almost 25% of its prison population.

The Sentencing Project has found that in the last 13 years, 23 states have given convicted felons increased voting rights, adding 800,000 former felons to voter rolls. And in 2010 the New York Times editorialized that "Their Debt is Paid." Regrettably, this move by Iowa’s new governor is a step in the wrong direction.

What are the voting rights of felons in your state? Find out on our website and check out our fact sheet, available in English and Spanish.

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Transparency at the Local Level

Good news if you live in California, Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, or Wisconsin! Yesterday the Sunlight Foundation and the Participatory Politics Foundation launched OpenGovernment, a tool designed to make local government more accessible and accountable.

OpenGovernment is modeled off of a similar project, OpenCongress, which lets users track bills, votes, and members of Congress.

In blogging about the debut of OpenGovernment, the Sunlight Foundation quoted the executive director of the Participatory Politics Foundation who hopes that this will be a tool to fight "systemic corruption" while also creating "user-friendly interfaces for this baffling and arcane world of legislative data."

Tracking local government is of the utmost importance to all nonprofits. Local government controls money that your organization does or doesn't get in addition to prioritizing your community's issues. By keeping tabs on your state legislature and city government, you can find out who cares about your nonprofit's work and what's (not) being done. This kind of information gives your organization a platform from which to reach out, build relationships, and act.

OpenGovernment plans to expand to other states, but in the meantime take a look!

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2010 State Turnout Rankings

State turnout rankings are here! The 2010 rankings are based on the total ballots cast by the voting eligible population from data compiled by the U.S. Elections Project. Without further ado:

The Top Five
1. Minnesota – 55.9%
2. Maine – 55.5%
3. Washington – 54.3%
4. South Dakota – 53.9%
5. Oregon – 53.5%

The Bottom Five
46. Arkansas – 37.5%
47. New York – 35.6%
48. Utah – 35.4%
49. Tennessee – 35.0%
50. Texas – 32.9%

Things to Consider:

• Minnesota had the highest turnout for the third straight midterm, although its lead has diminished.
• The 11 states with Election Day registration or same-day registration (such as Wisconsin, Maine, and Iowa) on average boast higher turnout rates.
• Oregon and Washington—who deliver ballots to all registered voters and allow them to be mailed or returned at drop off locations—are both in the top five.
• Two of the nation's largest states—Texas and New York—continue to rank low in turnout percent. Will this change as Texas adds four new Congressional districts?
• Turnout in California (45%), the other largest state, grew, maintaining a trend in the last several elections.

Wonder where your state ranks? See the full list.

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2011 Webinar Series Preview

A New Year, new elections, and new data can only mean one thing—the return of Nonprofit VOTE's webinar series! Our 2011 webinar topics will include:

* Nonprofits and the 2010 Census
* Redistricting
* Conducting Candidate Forums
* Nonprofits and Ballot Measures
* A Primer on Nonpartisan Voter Participation
* Election reform and more!

Our first webinar on the Census will be held in early April. By then, each state will have detailed and localized Census data which will frame our conversation. We look forward to continuing to share valuable resources and information with you during our webinars this year—and best of all, they're free for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations! We'll keep you posted with sign up information as March approaches and remember that you can access past webinars on our website.

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EAC Launches New Blog

Hoping to strengthen their role as a national clearinghouse for elections and election administration information hub, the EAC has launched a new blog to top off its new streamlined website.

The blog is intended to be "for voters", and encourages visitors to send their questions on anything from voting machines to absentee voting to get their queries answered. Although the blog doesn't provide a comment ability yet, they do offer a web contact form to facilitate dialogue between the EAC and voters on important election assistance questions.

A neat feature is a sidebar that links visitors to a page listing every social media page for election officials in all 50 states, along with links to EAC's YouTube channel.

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FILVOTE Aims High in 2011

Although we're only in the second week of 2011, some nonprofits have made their voter engagement goals clear. FILVOTE--the voter engagement project of the Filipino-American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI)--hopes to register 15,000 new voters in Los Angeles county by October of this year. To do so, FILVOTE plans to hold voter registration drives in various cities across the county where concentrated populations of Filipino Americans live.

FILVOTE recently kicked off their 2011 campaign with a voter registration drive during a community gathering to mark the 114th death anniversary and 150th birth anniversary of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

FILVOTE hopes that the voter engagement work they do this year will set the stage for broad participation in the 2012 election. Since its creation in 1996, FILVOTE has registered over 25,000 Filipino American voters in LA County and has hosted numerous candidate forums.

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