Get the Most out of Voter Registration! LWVUS Summer 2016

Transcription

1 Get the Most out of Voter Registration! LWVUS Summer 2016

2 What We ll Cover Today The lay of the land Focus on underrepresented, new voters Voter registration best practices Building your League through voter service LWVUS Resources

3 Let s Build on our Successes Powerful, integrated campaigns serve voters & build the League In 2016, LWV will serve millions of diverse voters online and in person We are winning the fight for voting rights but threats remain Voter Registration = our key opportunity to grow the electorate, overcome barriers & be visible in our communities

4 GREAT LEAGUE PROGRAMS

5 Good programs Look OUT, not in Attract new people! Give our neighbors something they want Have show-and-tell (photos! Media!) Get people talking & coming back Make volunteers happy and energized Require some resources Help reinforce League priorities at all 3 levels

6 Voter Registration Priorities High schools (springtime) 10,000+ high school students registered in Spring 2016 Community colleges & naturalization ceremonies Health centers, transit hubs, underserved neighborhoods National Voter Reg. Day Sept 27: 300 Leagues signed up! Leagues experimenting with new online tools (LWVUS guidance) Collect information from the people you register! Training materials & templates:

7 Why the League Matters Groups like the League register millions Especially critical in reaching underrepresented groups- 1/5 African Americans in 2008 New research: social interaction alone of asking someone to vote has a major positive effect- especially among low-participation voters Independent groups provide critical follow-up to voters Underrepresented groups: biggest bang for our volunteer buck

8 Voter participation gaps Registration by Age* Registration by Race* and older 0 Asians Hispanics Blacks Whites *2012, US Census Bureau

9 When to Register? Think September! Just before deadlines Rush hour/crowded times Focus on movers National Voter Registration Day (9/27):

10 Organizing your Drive o Set Your goals & plan o Know the rules o Train Your team o Incorporate visibility and volunteerism o Follow-up

11 Know the Rules Your Secretary of State/Board of Elections State League/LWVUS Fair Elections Legal Network

12 Working with Elections Officials Tell them your plans Attend any offered trainings Clarify new changes/suggestions Ask for materials Communicate and turn in forms promptly Flag problem applications

13 Working with Allies Who can truly help us tap into new communities? What, specifically, will each of us do? Are we receiving and giving appropriate credit? What are the benefits and opportunities for us? Them? Are we prioritizing the partnerships that bear the most fruit?

14 Team Planning Who will Acquire materials and volunteers? Serve as liaison to elections officials/partners? Contact the venue(s)? Communicate with media & PROMOTE the event? Turn in completed registration forms? Follow up with voters after the event? ** **pursuant to state law

15 Organize your work & volunteer recruitment! Excel file/ Google docs/google group Meetup.com Facebook Community forums

16 Volunteer Recruitment Try this: Our League has been registering voters for the past 35 years in our community and we are continuing the tradition between now and November by registering over 500 new citizens at 10 naturalization ceremonies! We need your help to reach our goal of registering 500 new voters. Who do you know who would be interested in a one-time volunteer shift? Sign up [HERE].

17 Volunteer Recruitment NOT this: As you know, our League has been shrinking in recent years and there are never enough hands to go around. I don t even know where to start with all the work that needs to be done. I know everyone is busy and tired, but we really need your help to pull off this voter registration event. Don t let us down.

18 Team Training Walking through the registration form Focus on eligibility requirements & discretion Practice the registration pitch Positive and enthusiastic! Connect it to the issues that matter to your audience Practice! Brainstorm common questions

19 At the Event Walk the Room Keep it positive! SMILE Make voting about THEM Bring extra hands Consider online options but think through logistics

20 After the event: Following Up Why collect contact info from Registrants? Research shows: voters need follow-up Empowers you to remind new registrants to vote & share ELECTION-RELATED information Provides leverage to trouble-shoot with elections officials Protects the League Potentially brings in new volunteers & members Expected best practice among partners & funders Thank your venues!

21 Making it Media-friendly Make the activity something reporters can use: simple and brief Focus on impact: How many registered? Why this audience? What do other voters need to know? Photo Ops

22 A Word on Fundraising Ask. Individuals are our best donors. Connect your work to larger issues in the community. Be specific about how support will increase the League s impact. Will their donation pay for 10 new signs? 500 printed voter help cards?

23 LWVUS Resources Empowering The Voters Of Tomorrow (High schools) Naturalization ceremonies toolkit Guidance for using online registration tools Fundraising for voter service activities

24 Review: Top Goals Plan ahead & hold each other accountable Train your team! Target underrepresented communities Collect contact information & follow up