Special Web Event: Nonprofits Get Out the Vote!

Be prepared (and get excited!) about Election Day by joining Nonprofit VOTE for a special web event:

Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day
Thursday, October 11th at 2:00pm Eastern
The final weeks leading up to an election are critical for voters, and during that time the potential to impact turnout is enormous.

Learn more during this exciting event featuring:

• National nonprofit leaders highlighting the sector's pivotal role, 
• Nonprofit-specific strategies for the final stages of an effective nonpartisan voter engagement campaign,
• Examples from local nonprofits on how to successfully incorporate voter engagement into programs and services, and
• Tips and tools tailored to the final weeks before Election Day and Election Day itself.

Guest presenters include:

• Michael Weekes, President and CEO, Providers' Council of Massachusetts and Board Chair, Nonprofit VOTE
• Daniel Hawkins, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Research, National Association of Community Health Centers
• Maria Theresa Kumar, CEO/President, Voto Latino
• Lauren Forbes, Associate, Election Initiatives, Pew Center on the States
• Local nonprofit leaders

Register now for Nonprofits Get Out The Vote! Countdown to Election Day and join nonprofits across the country as we lift our voices and mobilize our communities to vote on November 6th!

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.

Nonprofits Get Out the Vote - Join Us!

Yesterday's webinar, Nonprofits Get Out the Vote, is now available. Thank you to Ashley Herad from the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations for joining us to discuss how nonprofits can get out the vote in 2012.

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 get-out-the-vote resources.

Register now for a special web event on October 11th--Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day--for nonprofit-specific get-out-the-vote strategies and a discussion with sector leaders!

Register for Nonprofits Get Out the Vote Webinar

There's still time to register for Thursday's webinar for tips and tools to help your nonprofit get-out-the-vote:

Nonprofits Get Out the Vote
Thursday September 20th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Nonprofits can engage in a variety of nonpartisan activities to get-out-the-vote in their community. Learn what your nonprofit can do in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day to help ensure that your clients, constituents, and community members have the information and assistance they need to successfully cast a ballot. Join us for a discussion on strategies and tactics that any nonprofit can employ.

Featured Presenter: Ashley Herad is the Civic Engagement and Policy Director at the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations, providing policy training and technical assistance throughout the state to nonprofits seeking to influence public policy. She also works to build community coalitions around vital policy issues and advocates on behalf.

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!

Saturday is National Military Voter Readiness Day

In collaboration with the Heroes Vote Initiative, Nonprofit VOTE is pleased to announce that September 15, 2012 is National Military Voter Readiness Day.

The goal of Military Voter Readiness Day is twofold: 1) to raise awareness of upcoming state deadlines for military members to register to vote and request an absentee ballot, and 2) to encourage active duty military voters and their spouses to complete a Federal Post Card Application, which allows them to register and request an absentee ballot in one easy step. That application can be completed online in just a few short minutes.

Actively engaging military voters is critical because in 2008 less than 20% of 2.5 million military voters were able to request and return their absentee ballots and have that ballot counted. In 2010, that number was just 4.6%. (Learn more.)

Through National Military Voter Readiness Day and other efforts, we hope to ensure that all military voters--regardless of their location in the world--have the opportunity to register, request an absentee ballot, and cast their vote.

The Heroes Vote Initiative is a nonpartisan program of the Military Voter Protection Project, which works with local military and veterans groups, as well as state and local election officials, to motivate military voter participation and provide assistance to those members who need it.

September 20: Nonprofits Get Out the Vote Webinar

As trusted messengers, nonprofits are well positioned to help their communities participate and vote.

Nonprofits Get Out the Vote
Thursday September 20th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Nonprofits can engage in a variety of nonpartisan activities to get-out-the-vote in their community. Learn what your nonprofit can do in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day to help ensure that your clients, constituents, and community members have the information and assistance they need to successfully cast a ballot. Join us for a discussion on strategies and tactics that any nonprofit can employ.

Featured Presenter: Ashley Herad is the Civic Engagement and Policy Director at the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations, providing policy training and technical assistance throughout the state to nonprofits seeking to influence public policy. She also works to build community coalitions around vital policy issues and advocates on behalf.

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.

Promote Democracy by Recruiting Poll Workers

Yesterday's webinar, Poll Worker Recruitment: You Be the Judge, is now available. Thank you to Jenny Flanagan from Common Cause for joining us to discuss how nonprofits can facilitate democracy by encouraging their constituents to serve as poll workers and translators.

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 engagement resources.

Register now for our next webinar on how to participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 25th! Let's ensure our communities register ahead of the upcoming deadlines!

Poll Worker Recruitment Webinar on Thursday

Register now for Thursday's webinar on how your organization can encourage your constituents to serve as poll workers and help your community vote in 2012!

Poll Worker Recruitment for Nonprofits 
Thursday August 30th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Poll workers are on the front lines of helping people vote on Election Day. This year, many states have new ID requirements and voting procedures, so poll worker recruitment and training will be critical to the Election Day experience. Your nonprofit can ensure that poll workers represent and are familiar with your community by encouraging staff, volunteers, and constituents to serve as poll workers. In many areas, translators are also needed to assist non-English speaking voters by translating voting information and answering questions. Learn how your nonprofit can help facilitate democracy in your community by recruiting poll workers, translators, and poll monitors.

Featured Presenter: Jenny Rose Flanagan is the Director of Voting and Elections at Common Cause, where she works with state and national leaders to improve election policy and administration at both the federal and state level. She previously served as the Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause, leading the organization through the successful passage of Colorado's ethics law, and is a primary founder of Just Vote! Colorado Election Protection, Colorado's election monitoring program.

Registration Improvements for California Voters

California is poised to become the newest Election Day Registration (EDR) state. Currently, Californians must be registered two weeks ahead of Election Day, but under a new bill eligible voters would be allowed to register up to and on Election Day.

If Governor Brown signs the bill, California will join ten other states and the District of Columbia in allowing some form of same day registration--but it would not take effect until 2016 after the completion of a statewide voter database.

EDR is implemented differently in every state, and in California, voters needing to register on Election Day would have to visit a county registrar's office (rather than their regular polling station) where they would be able to register and vote.

But that's not all: beginning in September of this year, California voters will be able to register to vote online. For about six weeks leading up to the October 22nd registration deadline, voters will likely be able to register in "a one-click process."

Although California voters can currently enter their information online and have a registration form automatically populated, they are still required to print, sign, and mail the form.

Online registration is made possible by coordination between the databases of the Secretary of State and the Department of Motor Vehicles, authorized by law last fall. Not only will online registration streamline the process for voters, it will also save counties staff time and money by reducing data input from paper forms and eliminating possible data-entry errors.

Although Secretary of State Bowen said her office will undertake an extensive public awareness campaign once the system is operational, she expects that "an awareness campaign will take care of itself." Let's help the good news travel fast ahead of November 6th!

(Image Source)

New York to Improve Voter Registration at DMVs

Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new system to simplify and modernize voter registration.

Currently, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers register to vote each year at a Department of Motor Vehicles office where they fill out a paper form, which the DMV then mails to each county's Board of Elections.

This multi-step process is outdated and error-prone, as a 2004 New York City study found typos in 20% of records.

However, under the new system, DMV offices will collect voter registration applications electronically and automatically pass that information directly to the Board of Elections. Moreover, eligible voters with a driver's license will be able to register to vote or update their registration online without having to print and mail any forms.

This paperless registration system will likely improve New York's low registration rate--64% of eligible voters are registered, making New York 48th in the nation for voter registration.

Only 17.6% New York's voter registrations come from DMVs, but nationally this number is more than 30%. In Washington, the number of voter registration transactions at DMVs doubled after automation and in South Dakota it grew almost eightfold.

Twelve other states have fully automated registration at DMVs, and nine more have partial automation. Eleven states have online registration. Streamlining registration at DMVs increases accuracy, minimizes the potential for fraud and saves money, all while increasing registrations. Arizona's Maricopa County recouped its startup costs for an automated registration system in a single election, saving over $450,000.

(Image Source)

Partner Spotlight: OhioVOTES

OhioVOTES, a project of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), is hosting three voter engagement trainings in September. Ohio nonprofits are invited to either Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati to learn how to mobilize and motivate your staff, board, volunteers, and the people your organization serves.

The trainings are free and will cover voter engagement guidelines for 501(c)(3) organizations, ideas for educating and motivating your community, and the latest election laws in Ohio. Nonprofit executives, board members, program staff, and volunteers are all encouraged to attend and CEU credits are available.

If you're a nonprofit in Ohio--or know one--register now for a September training in the city closest to you! OhioVOTES is a nonpartisan voter participation initiative that supports and expands the ability of nonprofits to get people involved in and excited about voting.

August Webinar: Recruiting Poll Workers

We can't have Election Day without poll workers and translators! Encourage your constituents to serve as poll workers and help your community vote in 2012.

Poll Worker Recruitment for Nonprofits 
Thursday August 30th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Poll workers are on the front lines of helping people vote on Election Day. This year, many states have new ID requirements and voting procedures, so poll worker recruitment and training will be critical to the Election Day experience. Your nonprofit can ensure that poll workers represent and are familiar with your community by encouraging staff, volunteers, and constituents to serve as poll workers. In many areas, translators are also needed to assist non-English speaking voters by translating voting information and answering questions. Learn how your nonprofit can help facilitate democracy in your community by recruiting poll workers, translators, and poll monitors.

Featured Presenter: Jenny Rose Flanagan is the Director of Voting and Elections at Common Cause, where she works with state and national leaders to improve election policy and administration at both the federal and state level. She previously served as the Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause, leading the organization through the successful passage of Colorado's ethics law, and is a primary founder of Just Vote! Colorado Election Protection, Colorado's election monitoring program.

Vote 2012: The Nonprofit Difference

The following appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of The Provider, the flagship publication of the Providers' Council.

Many nonprofits see voter outreach as something beyond the scope of the services they provide, leaving their clients to instead rely on the efforts of candidates and party campaigns. As a result, many potential voters receive no assistance at all.

Factors like being nonpartisan, financial and time concerns, and a lack of resources and support further compound the situation.

Nonprofits CAN participate.

However, nonprofits can participate. It's true that 501(c)(3) nonprofits are required to be nonpartisan, but nonpartisan does not mean non-participation. Nonprofits are realizing that voter engagement doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Many organizations now recognize the value of voter engagement as a key component in their advocacy toolkit and are no longer watching passively from the sidelines on Election Day.

Organizations like the Providers' Council—a long-time partner of Nonprofit VOTE—have led this transition in recent years by bringing voter engagement into the sector mainstream through initiatives like CareVote. The Council is joined by others like CalNonprofits which encourages California nonprofits to "Vote with Your Mission" and the National Association of Community Health Centers with its ongoing Community Health Vote project.

Participation is EASY.

Voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote work is most effective when nonprofits incorporate activities and conversations into ongoing services. There is no need to develop a new voter registration program when organizations can simply ask clients about registering to vote during intake or while updating their information.

Participation is EFFECTIVE.

Perhaps most importantly, the agency-based approach is effective. Research conducted with human service agencies in Detroit during the 2010 midterm election demonstrated that when nonprofits talked to their clients about voting they were not only more likely to vote, but also more likely to talk to their friends and family about voting. This year Nonprofit VOTE has partnered with CareVote to conduct additional research in Massachusetts and ten other states to further explore best practices for nonprofit service providers.

Participation HELPS nonprofits' missions.

The ballot box is critical to nonprofits' larger advocacy and policy efforts.

Elected officials pay attention to which communities and which populations turn out and are generally more responsive to organizations involved in registering voters and encouraging turnout. Voting is good for the people nonprofits serve, as voters are more likely to contact elected officials, talk to their neighbors, and actively engage with their communities.

But ultimately the only way to have representatives and laws that support your work is to vote and to encourage other people to do the same. Voting is an extension of your dedication to providing quality care and services, which is why it's equally important to encourage the people you serve to vote.

JOIN US. (And get stickers!)

As a member of the Providers' Council, your organization is already deeply involved in your community and invested in its future. We want to invite you to take the next step and support voting.

Your community contains distinct voices with specific needs. By conducting nonpartisan voter engagement your organization can help lift these concerns and empower your clients and constituents to participate in 2012.

Join a nationwide nonprofit campaign to support voting November 6 and send a message to your clients, constituents, and community. Plus every organization that signs on will receive a free "Vote November 6" kit and be eligible for weekly raffles for buttons and stickers to help raise awareness in your community.

This year, nonprofits in Massachusetts and across the country are engaging their communities around elections in greater numbers than ever. Nonprofit VOTE and the Providers' Council want to help you do more, both now and after the election. We have materials and resources to help you get buy-in, make a plan, and achieve success. With your added efforts, we can make nonprofit voices heard at the polls like never before.

Get Your "Vote November 6" Poster!

We're pleased to debut our "Vote November 6" poster design for 2012!

Order yours by signing up to support voting November 6th! You can choose to receive just the poster or a full "Vote November 6" kit which includes a poster, button, and stickers to help your nonprofit promote the election.

After ordering a copy, download the poster or additional 2012 designs, available through our partnership with AIGA. Browse AIGA's full get-out-the-vote design gallery.

Additional posters are available for purchase in bulk. Interested in other swag? Visit our online store and get 15% off your entire order when you use promo code VOTE2012--valid only through August 13.

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!