Lunch & Learn (L&L) Advocacy and the Importance of Voter Registration

Lunch & Learn (L&L) Advocacy and the Importance of Voter Registration

Webinar How To Reminders If you have a headset or want to listen through your computer, click the Mic and Speakers audio option. To eliminate background noise, all participants will be muted as a default. If you have a question, type it in the box and Click Send or Click on the hand icon to raise your hand.

Housekeeping This presentation consists of 33 slides, followed by a question and answer session. Presenters: Lisa Hassenstab and Steve McCarthy

Learning Objectives Learners will understand: Voter Registration s relevance and importance to LSS s Advocacy Plan. Why it is important that LSS staff, as well as clients, become registered voters and vote. How to register and vote. Some dos and don ts.

First, some terms... Advocacy Constituents Voter registration Primary election General election Polling place Identification Parties Legislative district

Voter Registration s Importance to LSS s Advocacy Plan Advocacy Plan goal: to increase LSS visibility and influence with legislators. U.S. founders: voting is a right, responsibility and opportunity to participate in democracy. Elected officials listen to people who live in their district, their constituents.

Voter Registration s Importance to LSS s Advocacy Plan Constituents who are registered voters have more influence with legislators. Constituents who are both registered voters and actual voters have the most influence. 75% of registered voters actually vote.

Voter Registration s Importance to LSS s Advocacy Plan Who is an elected official more likely to listen to? A registered voter who votes? An unregistered voter who does not vote?

Becoming a Registered Voter in Wisconsin Let s look at how people become registered voters in Wisconsin. Simple: Voters can register to vote at the polls on Election Day. You can register in person at your municipal clerk s office up to 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. Here s how to find your municipal clerk: http://gab.wi.gov/clerks/directory

Becoming a Registered Voter in Wisconsin You can also register by mail, too. The form is due 20 days before the election. A link to the mail-in registration form is here: http://gab.wi.gov/electionsvoting/voters/registration-voting

Becoming a Registered Voter in Wisconsin Regardless of how you register, you ll eventually need to prove you reside at your current address. Here are acceptable forms of proof: WI driver s license State issued photo ID Any other state-issued ID Employer-issued photo ID A utility bill A bank statement A paycheck A real state tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election A current lease A college issued photo ID (along with residency info)

Becoming a Registered Voter in Wisconsin Qualifications to register as a voter: At least 18 on Election Day A US citizen Resident of Wisconsin and the district in which you ll vote People with felony convictions can vote upon completion of sentence, including prison, parole, and probation

Becoming a Registered Voter in Michigan Let s look at how people become registered voters in Michigan. Unlike Wisconsin, same day registration at Michigan polls is not allowed. You must register to vote at least 30 days before the election. Register on line, in person or by mail.

Becoming a Registered Voter in Michigan Here are some Michigan voter registration resources: http://www.michigan.gov/sos. Click on the Elections in Michigan link.

Becoming a Registered Voter in Michigan OR Wisconsin Whether you live in Michigan or Wisconsin, remember to re-register to vote whenever you move. For more information, go the LSS website, click on Community Outreach, Advocacy, Voter Education and Registration Information.

Not Sure If You re Registered? Easy to find out if you re already registered. Google Am I registered to vote in Wisconsin/Michigan? Wisconsin voters: https://vpa.wi.gov/votersearchscreen.a spx Michigan voters: https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

You re registered! Now what? Important dates: Wisconsin voters August 14 State Primary Election November 6 General Election Michigan voters August 7 State Primary Election November 6 General Election Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You re registered! Now what? How do you know where to go to vote? Every voter lives in a legislative district. That district is simply the area that a legislator represents. So where do you vote? The following works for any state: http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php

You re registered! Now what? You have a legislator for the: State Senate State Assembly US Congress (both the US House and the US Senate)

You re registered! Now what? How do you find out who your legislator is? A few ways Go to the LSS website under Community Outreach, Advocacy, Voter Education and Registration Information. Call your municipal clerk or county office. Google

Client Voter Registration Encourage clients to vote by posting voter information flyers. Take care not to promote or put down any candidate. LSS s role is to encourage voter participation. Use the Voter Information flyers on the LSS website under Community Outreach/Advocacy.

Client Voter Registration This LSS link takes you to both the Wisconsin and Michigan voter information fliers. http://www.lsswis.org/lss/community- Outreach/Advocacy/Voter-Education-- Registration-.htm This link takes to a very helpful non-lss website http://www.nonprofitvote.org/.

Client Voter Registration What you can do to encourage clients to vote: Post LSS s voter information flyers. Post sample ballots. Have copies of voter registration forms. Contact Advocacy@lsswis.org for copies of this information or questions.

Some Registration Dos If you or a client find yourself in contact with a legislator, do be positive, thankful and supportive. Do personally support candidates in any way you wish, but please be sure to do so outside of work.

Some Registration Dos If a legislator or legislative staff ask you a question, do answer if you are certain of your information. Do report all of your contacts with legislators by sending an email to Advocacy@lsswis.org

Some Registration Don ts Don t give LSS resources to candidates. Don t place signs on LSS property promoting any political views. Don t be negative, argumentative or hostile, even if you disagree personally and professionally with a legislator.

Some Registration Don ts Don t tell a fellow employee or client who to vote for. At work, maintain your personal political neutrality.

National Voter Registration Day! September 25, 2012 is National Voter Registration Day. In 2008, 6 million people failed to cast a ballot either because they didn t know how to register to vote or they missed a local deadline.

National Voter Registration Day! Let s work to ensure no one misses the opportunity to vote. http://www.nationalvoterregistrationday. org/ More details on LSS s efforts later this summer and fall.

Voter Pledge Form In May more than 135 Leadership Assembly staff signed a pledge to vote in upcoming elections. Here s a link on the LSS intranet to add your name to pledge to vote: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lss _Voter_Pledge LSS Intranet, Resources, Advocacy

Summary You learned: The relevance and importance of Voter Registration to LSS s Advocacy Plan Why registering to vote, and actually voting, is important How to register and how to vote And a few dos and don ts, too!

Final Exam and Required Survey Q and A Access Essential Learning now Take your 5 question exam and a brief survey Pat yourself on the back - You ve successfully completed your Voter Registration Lunch and Learn!

Thank you!! We appreciate you attending this Voter Registration Lunch & Learn.