think locally the value of municipal and local elections presented by
TRANSCRIPT
THINK LOCALLYTHE VALUE OF MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL
ELECTIONS
Presented by
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Who
Efrain EscobedoExecutive Liaison for the Los
Angeles County Registrar-Recorder
Lindsey HodelDirector of Training and Partnerships,Nonprofit VOTE
BackgroundQuick DefinitionsWhy Municipal Elections Are ImportantWhat to DoResources
Agenda
AGENDA
BACKGROUND
Background
Background
VOTER TURNOUT BY ELECTION TYPE
Type of Election TurnoutPercent of Eligible Voters
Presidential 60%
Midterm 40%
Mayoral 25 – 30%
City Council/School Board 10 – 20%
• Habitual and older voters• Friends and supporters of the candidates• City employees• Those mobilized by organizations with a stake
in local politics
Background
WHO TURNS OUT IN LOCAL ELECTIONS
• Voters don’t see large differences between local elected officials--therefore voting doesn’t matter
• Voters are not familiar enough with local issues to make an informed decision
*Voter Turnout in Municipal Elections, Collis & Reed Research, November 2009Background
REASONS FOR NOT VOTING*
QUICK DEFINITIONS
Definitions
• Municipal Elections– City and town
elections usually held in odd years
• County Elections– Elections for county
offices, often held in even years, combined with state or federal elections
WHAT ARE “LOCAL ELECTIONS”?
Definitions
• Partisan Elections – Candidates represent political parties and
party affiliation appears on ballot– Have party primary and general election
• Nonpartisan* Elections– No party affiliation printed on ballot– Have preliminary and general election
* “Nonpartisan” here doesn’t mean nonpartisan for charitable purposes. The rule that “501c3s may not support or oppose a candidate for public office” still applies.
Definitions
PARTISAN & NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS
WHY MUNICIPAL/LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE
IMPORTANT
Why Municipals
• Local governments make many decisions that directly affect the lives of community members
Why Municipals
THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS
• Local offices are frequently a first stop on the way to higher offices. Establishing a relationship now can pay off later.
Why Municipals
THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.
• Municipal elections are an opportunity for new candidates to emerge – and to elect officials that are reflective of the community
• Municipals are an opportunity to cultivate habitual, life-long voters (A voter in a local election is 96% likely to vote in a presidential year - ISSI)
Why Municipals
THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.
• Because fewer people vote, your vote will have more influence
• Local races can be decided by close margins and a few votes
Why Municipals
THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPALS – CONT.
WHAT TO DO
Candidate Engagement Voter Registration Voter Education Get Out the Vote Election Administration Local Ballot Measures What to
do
Municipal and other local elections are an opportunity to both educate candidates about your issues and also build a personal relationship with them.Three Activities
1. Meet with the candidates2. Sponsor a Candidate Forum3. Invite candidates to an event What to
do
ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES
Activities1. Meet with the candidates: Inform them about
your constituency and issues
What to do
ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES
It’s nonpartisan if:•You make an effort to meet/communicate with all the candidates in a particular race
Activities2. Sponsor a Candidate
Forum: Partner with others to host a mayoral or city council forum
What to do
ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES
Use Nonprofit VOTE’s resources:•Nonprofit’s Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum•Candidate Forum Checklist•Webinar Training Presentation
Activities3. Invite the Candidates: Ask local
candidates to make an appearance at an event
What to do
ENGAGE THE CANDIDATES
It’s nonpartisan if:•You invite all the candidates in the race (Any number can show up)•Networking ok but no fundraising or speeches
• Coming off a presidential or statewide election year, expect more people to be registered
• Focus on the weeks close to the registration deadline
• Prioritize in-agency voter registration rather than door-to-door canvassing
What to do
VOTER REGISTRATION
Local elections receive little media attention in comparison to statewide elections and include races for offices about which people know less about. Education can play an important role in your engagement efforts.
•Publicize the election and issues at stake•Post or distribute sample ballots or voter guides•Expose your voters to the candidates
What to do
VOTER EDUCATION
• Voting Reminders (*high importance in local elections)– Keep it personal! “Face to face” works best.– In the days leading up to and on Election Day, ask
clients if they plan to vote, know the location of their polling place and its hours of operation.
– On the day before and on Election Day incorporate reminders into every activity.
– Organize a phone bank.What to do
GET OUT THE VOTE
• Vote Early In-Person or Vote by Mail– Learn your state’s rules around
early voting– Inform staff and constituents
about early voting options: how to vote by mail (absentee) or early in-person at designated sites or your local election office What to
do
GET OUT THE VOTE – CONT.
• Now is good time to build a relationship with your local elections officials--meet with them
• Advocate for translation of ballots and elections materials
• Become a poll worker or translator
ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
What to do
Local ballot measures can decide things like whether a school district gets proper funding, whether a bus line is extended to a lower-income neighborhood, and more
•Take a position on local ballot measures--this is lobbying NOT electioneering
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES
What to do
• Factsheets and Guides available at www.nonprofitvote.org
Resources
RESOURCES
Resources
RESOURCES
617.357.VOTE (8683)
www.nonprofitvote.org
Nonprofit VOTE89 South StreetSuite 203Boston, MA 02111
Lindsey Hodel
Efrain Escobedo