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NONPROFITS GET OUT THE VOTE The Final Six Weeks

NONPROFITS GET OUT THE VOTE The Final Six Weeks. ABOUT US. A national hub of voter engagement resources and trainings to help nonprofits integrate nonpartisan voter participation into their ongoing activities and services. Find more about our mission and partners on our website:

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NONPROFITS GET OUT THE VOTE The Final Six Weeks

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  1. NONPROFITS GET OUT THE VOTEThe Final Six Weeks

  2. ABOUT US A national hub of voter engagement resources and trainings to help nonprofits integrate nonpartisan voter participation into their ongoing activities and services. Find more about our mission and partners on our website: www.nonprofitvote.org About Us

  3. Today’s presenters Julian Johannesen Director of Research and Training Nonprofit VOTE Ashley Herad Civic Engagement and Policy Director Louisiana Association of Nonprofits Organizations Who

  4. agenda • Talking about voting • Voter Registration • Voter Education • Get Out the Vote • Election Day Agenda

  5. Talking about voting

  6. Talk about it! • Your relationship with your clients and constituents is one of your greatest assets • Face to face interaction is most effective • Use every interaction and all of your communications channels to talk about voting Talking About Voting

  7. Tips on talking about voting • Assume that people plan to vote and help them to do that • Ask questions based on that assumption: • Is your registration up to date? • Do you know where you’re polling place? • Are you voting in the morning or after work? • “Scheduling an appointment” to vote • Research has shown that being asked to think about or visualize your plan to vote increase the chance that you will vote Talking About Voting

  8. Messages that work • It’s your civic duty: As an American citizen, it is your responsibility to do your civic duty and vote on Election Day. • Improve your future: Voting brings us together as Americans and is something you can do to help strengthen your community. All eligible Americans should cast a ballot on Election Day for their future, their children’s futures, and the future of our great nation. • Taking control: Voting is your chance to take control over what happens to your family and your community. Many Americans are struggling these days and all Americans deserve a say in how to solve these problems. Talking About Voting

  9. Messages that work (cont.) • Stand up: It’s important to stand up for our rights and elect leaders who will lift up our country and our communities. America’s future is our future, and we need to vote and make sure the politicians hear our voices and know we count and we matter. We can’t complain about the way things are going if we don’t take responsibility and stand up for what we believe in. • Your voice matters: Your vote — along with everyone’s vote — matters. It lets politicians know that the American people have an opinion, and that they need to listen to what we have to say. • Understand the rules: In order to participate in our democracy and have your voice heard, you need to understand the voting rules in your state, register on time, and show up at the correct polling place.. Talking About Voting

  10. VOTER REGISTRATION

  11. there’s still time! • Promote the voter registration deadline • Conduct a voter registration drive at your location or in your community • Take part in National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 25th Voter Registration

  12. National Voter Registration Day www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org Voter Registration

  13. VOTING IN YOUR STATE • graphic Voter Registration

  14. VOTER EDUCATION • How to vote • What’s on the ballot

  15. HOW TO VOTE: COMMON QUESTIONS Make sure you can answer questions from your clients and constituents about things like: How to vote early The day of the week and date of the election The polling place hours How to find their polling place What ID they might need to vote How to get help voting Voter Education

  16. WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT Provide sample ballots (if available) Give out a short, one page guide to a ballot question or all of the ballot questions Distribute a short, one page guide to the issues most important to your organization Voter Education

  17. GET OUT THE VOTE • Principles of GOTV • Key activities • Creating visibility • Early voting • Promoting Election Day Voting

  18. PRINCIPLES OF GOTV Make it personal: Personal contact works best! Create urgency around your issue or the impact of the election Turn up the volume close to Election Day when people are most tuned in GOTV

  19. KEY ACTIVITIES GOTV Create visibility:  Make the election visible at your agency and in your communications Promote Early Voting: Encourage people to vote early by mail or in person Promote Election Day voting: Contact constituents about voting on Election Day

  20. Create visibility • The election should be visible to everyone you interact with • Make announcements about the election • Put up “Vote November 6” posters or signage • Use your communications GOTV

  21. Early voting matters! • In 2008, nearly 1 in 3 voters voted early! • Let your community know about the opportunity to vote early – how and where to do it. GOTV

  22. VOTE EARLY BY MAIL/ABSENTEE Promote the absentee voting dates Help community members get an absentee ballot application GOTV

  23. VOTE EARLY IN-PERSON Voting by absentee ballot in person Voting at a designated early voting location GOTV

  24. The Final Two Weeks • Continue to turn up the volume! • Orient staff to answer basic election questions • When providing services, ask people if they’re planning to vote and if they need help • Hold a Get Out The Vote event (like a Trick or Vote event) GOTV

  25. ON ELECTION DAY

  26. WHAT TO DO ON ELECTION DAY Election Day Provide election assistance Give staff time off to take part in nonpartisan get out the vote activities or to work at the polls Celebrate democracy!

  27. Provide Election assistance • Talk to clients and constituents about voting and office assistance • Help constituents find their polling place • Promote the toll free voter assistance hotlines and the free smart phone app: • 1-866-OUR-VOTE • 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota Election Day

  28. Time off on election day • Allow staffto take part in nonpartisan get out the vote activities • Or as a staff person, take personal time to work for a campaign • Become a poll worker or translator

  29. CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY! • Make the election visible and create a festive atmosphere • Ask people about voting and if possible provide assistance Election Day

  30. www.nonprofitvote.org MORE RESOURCES Resources

  31. Support voting! www.nonprofitvote.org/support-voting.html Resources

  32. resources • Factsheets, Guides, Toolkits and more available at www.nonprofitvote.org Resources

  33. info@nonprofitvote.org 617.357.VOTE (8683) www.nonprofitvote.org Nonprofit VOTE 89 South Street Suite 203 Boston, MA 02111 Ashley Herad ashley@lano.org Julian Johannesen julian@nonprofitvote.org

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