california participation project voter participation training
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California Participation Project Voter Participation Training. State and local voter engagement initiatives – Expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in voting and elections Closing participation gaps for underrepresented and lower turnout communities. Our California Partners. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
California Participation ProjectVoter Participation Training
State and local voter engagement initiatives – Expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in
voting and elections
Closing participation gaps for underrepresented and lower turnout communities
Our California Partners
Nonpartisan
Nonprofit Voter
Engagement
Gap in Turnout in CA - 2006
56%
38% 37% 34%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
White Black Latino Asian
Voter Participation in California for 2006 Midterm ElectionPercent turnout of citizen eligible voters
Rise in Voter Turnout in CA
57%
60%
62%
50%
52%
54%
56%
58%
60%
62%
64%
2000 2004 2008
California Turnout Rising% turnout of eligible voters - presidential elections
37%
41%
35%
36%
37%
38%
39%
40%
41%
42%
2002 2006
California Turnout Rising% turnout of eligible voters - midterm elections
It Matters Who Votes
Y es on Minimum Wage (Ohio) - 2006
80%
39%
20%30%
40%50%60%70%
80%90%
Under$15,000
$15-30,000 $30-50,000 $50-75,000 $75-100,000 $100-$150,000
$150-200,000
Above$200,000
Why Me?
Size of Sector
1.6 million active organizations
Employing 14 million people
Recruiting 65 million volunteers annually
And serving millions every day
And Reach….
Unique and trusting relationships with the communities you serve.
Have a vested interest in ensuring that the priorities of your communities are represented
Ability to integrate voter outreach into ongoing activities
A Movement for Democracy
Clout for Your Nonprofit
Power for Your Community
One Rule to Remember
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations must remain NONPARTISAN.
Remaining Nonpartisan
Do use nonpartisan voter participation to build more powerful and engaged communities
DON’TS – as 501c3 organization… Oppose or Endorse a candidate running for office
Give resources ($$ etc) to candidates
Rank candidates on an issue to bias towards one candidate
Tell people how to vote or which party to affiliate with
Helpful Resources: Nonprofits, Voting and Elections Toolkit Alliance for Justice:1-866-NPLOBBY
Ballot Measures
Ballot measures are laws not candidates 501c3 nonprofits can support or oppose
ballot measures Advocacy around ballot measures is
considered a lobbying activity, subject to normal lobbying limits
What is Nonpartisan Voter Engagement?
Creating a Plan For Your Organization
AGENDA
I. Making a Plan
II. Voter Registration
III. Voter Education
IV. Get out the Vote
Behind the Plan Get Buy In:
• Executive Director or Board of Directors
• Use voter toolkit Identify a point person:
• Program staff, public policy, direct service, communications staff
Keep it Simple Plan Around Election Deadlines:
• September – voter reg & education
• October – voter education & GOTV
Assess Your Voter Engagement Resources and Challenges
YOUR NONPROFIT
Who’s Involved: Front office staff, volunteers & interns, program staff, communications team, partners
TARGETWho is your Audience: Staff, Board, Volunteers and Constituents
COMMUNICATEPoints of Contacts: How you’ll reach your audience?
INTEGRATEWhere: points of service, classes & trainings, meetings, community events
Step 1: Voter Registration
Like joining a gym…
…there’s a lot more to do to get in shape.
Step 1: Voter Registration
Registration Deadline is October 18, 2010
Focus on Month before the Deadline
Updating Registration is as Important as New
Start with your Staff
Vote by mail
Helpful Resources: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Voter Registration
Voter Registration
You can Register to Vote if you are: A U.S. citizen At least 18 years old by the next election Not serving time for a felony or still on parole for a felony
You will need to re-register if: You have moved. You have changed your name. You want to change the political party you chose on your
last registration form.
Helpful Resource: www.lavote.net – register, check registration, & more
Step 1: Voter RegistrationDecide your Approach:
Level 1: Publicize and Promote
Voter reg deadlines and how-to’s
Level 2: Do Registration on Site
Incorporate into your ongoing activities and constituent interactions
Level 3: Mobilize & Partner
Identify and collaborate with partners in your community
Step 2:Voter Education
Conducting Nonpartisan voter education efforts with your communities.
Upcoming Webinar: Voter Education For Nonprofits – September 9 & 23
Voter Education -On the Voting ProcessDisplay or distribute sample ballots, voter guides and
voter assistance hotline information
When: Election date, vote by mail deadlines, polling hours
Where: Finding your polling place
How: Voting equipment, how to vote absentee, where to get help voting
Special Circumstances: Ex-offender
Helpful Resources: CA Secretary of State, www.866ourvote.org, sample ballots
Voter Education -On the Issues
DO educate your community on the issues that matter to your organization.
DO educate all the candidates on issues that matter to the people you serve.
Do advocate and educate on Ballot Measures – you can take a position
DON’T tell voters whose best on your issue
Helpful Resources: Easy Voter Guide, www.smartvoter.org, CGS Video Voter
Voter Education -On Candidates
DO distribute sample ballots showing all state and county races
DO co-sponsor a candidate forum or do a candidate questionnaire
DO give people nonpartisan voter guides, lists of websites of all candidates, etc.
DON’T rate candidate’s positions on issues at election time
Helpful Resource: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum
Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote
Make it Personal: conversations about voting
Give Voters the Assistance they Need: help reduce common barriers to voting
Turn Up the (nonpartisan) Volume: final days before an election
Identify a Message: make a connection & avoid negative messages
Upcoming Webinar: GOTV & Election Day for Nonprofits – October 14
Step 3: Get-Out-The-Vote
Activity Ideas for the Last 2 Weeks Before the Election
Create Visibility: put up posters
Provide Help: prepare staff, ask about voting, rides to the polls, call constituents
Raise the Stakes: use all forms of communication, integrate more, provide translated material
On Election Day: remind people, allow staff to do GOTV activities or volunteer as poll workers
Helpful Resource: A dozen easy ways to get out the vote
Why We Vote Have a Reason to Vote Personal Contact
• From family, friend, nonprofit
Low Barriers• It’s easy and accessible
A habit learned from
family and community
Voter Participation Training & Resource FairSeptember 22, 2010
★ Learn easy steps to integrate nonpartisan voter participation into your ongoing work. ★ Get up-to-date resources and materials on voter education and voting rights. ★ Meet local nonprofit leaders and experts in the field of voting and elections.
Date: September 22, 2010Time: 9:00 AM to NoonLocation: Redwood Room The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities 1000 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012More Info: www.caparticipates.org/trainings
Questions?
Marcy Koukhab Sarah Pillsbury
Project Coordinator Project Partner
[email protected] [email protected]
California Participation Project
www.caparticipates.org
(213) 346-3291
Activity Planning Breakouts
Barriers to Voting for Patients Best Practices for Addressing those
Barriers Challenges for Addressing those Barriers