The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Project, new for 2012, is focused on encouraging and supporting nonprofits interested in doing voter engagement work, like registering voters, providing nonpartisan educational materials, and mobilizing clients, staff, volunteers, and members to get out and vote.

 

Get Involved!

Fill out the form below to let us know how we can best support your agency in your voter engagement efforts.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Isela Gutiérrez at (919) 286-6000, ext. 19 or isela@democracy-nc.org for more information.

 

Your Agency Can Make a Difference!

You can help your clients, members, staff, and volunteers – and yourself. A recent study in Michigan shows that nonprofit service providers were able to to increase voter turnout among their clients by 12% just by offering them voter registration forms and reminding them to vote.

 

How Democracy North Carolina Can Help

We can provide training, voter education materials, up-to-date information on election laws, partner with you to mobilize voters, and brainstorm and strategize with you about how to tailor a voter engagement plan to fit your organization.

 

But, We're a Nonprofit. Can We Do That?

Nonprofit agencies can do a lot to increase voter participation and still be non-partisan and abide by IRS restrictions.

 

Below is a list of nonprofit voter engagement do's and don'ts:

 

DO engage in nonpartisan voter outreach, education, and mobilization strategies:

• Register your clients and staff to vote
• Educate your clients and staff about the mechanics of voting, election laws, and the candidates. Provide information about issues on the ballot using nonpartisan educational materials or events
• Remind your clients and staff about early voting dates and sites, organize rides to the polls, or organize a phone bank to urge your clients / staff to vote. On Election Day make sure that your staff has time to vote and remind people to go vote by posting signs and posters in your lobby

 

DON'T engage in partisan activity:

• Do not support or oppose specific candidates or a political party. This includes fundraising for candidates or parties, making a political contribution as a nonprofit organization to a campaign, party, or PAC.
• Do not provide partisan literature or links on your agency's website to a campaign or party website.