Pre-Election Advocacy

On this episode, we discuss the unprecedented election-year challenges we face and the ways all nonprofits can help ensure a safe election. As trusted messengers, nonprofits can explain voting options and deadlines; encourage absentee voting and a new generation of poll workers; conduct election protection programs; support and join litigation and even facilitate voting and promote increased voter turnout.  This is a repodcast of the first part of our three-part series from 2020.  Our attorneys for this episode     Leslie Barnes   Tim Mooney   Quyen Tu     Shownotes  Election-year challenges  Dangers for in-person voting  Massive poll worker shortage  Monumental increase in voting by mail  Predictions for contested elections/delayed results  Defunding the United States Postal Service  Interference in the election by foreign and domestic actors  Reminder - 501(c)(3) organizations must remain nonpartisan   When We All Vote Video – Voter Registration Drives  https://youtu.be/XNt-9v3HY30s  Created by a c3, When We all Vote  Shared by a c3, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund  Nonpartisan – no support or opposition for any candidate for elected office  Explains how schools can create and promote a voter registration drive   Explains how volunteers can share news of newly registered voters on social media  Safe for community foundations and c4s too!  Special rules exist for private foundations   Can’t buy votes. Don’t exchange anything of value for someone completing a voter registration form or voting.  Can spend money to facilitate voting – Examples   Must also follow state law regarding voter registration and drives  IRS permits targeting voter outreach for nonpartisan reasons   Fair Fight Action Video – Vote By Mail/Voter Education  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFl6AYki1B8  Encourages Georgians to vote by mail to shorten lines for those who must vote in person and reduce risk for all    Fair Fight Action is a 501(c)(4) and could engage in partisan activity as secondary activity  This video is a nonpartisan example of voter outreach/education – primary activity  Safe for c3s to share as well!    Houston Justice Coalition Post  Safe for c3s and c4s to share government messages  Nonprofits can volunteer their space for voting/polling centers  Best practices for 501(c)(3)s  Nothing can support or oppose candidates  Avoid mixing issue advocacy with voter registration/GOTV/voter education  No candidate pledges  Any interaction with candidates? Offer the same info to others running  Best practices for 501(c)(4)s  Can support or oppose candidates – track efforts – secondary activity  Be aware of state laws  Don’t coordinate efforts with federal (and usually) state candidates  Report independent efforts under campaign finance laws    Resources  Bolder Advocacy Election Activities Page  Want to Conduct or Fund a Voter Registration Drive  Election Protection Efforts Factsheet   Election Year Activities for 501(c)(4)s  How 501(c)(4)s Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable   Partisan Electoral Activity: What is it and What Can You Do?    Non Bolder Advocacy resources  Guide on how to do a school or community voter registration drive: https://www.headcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Booklet_Final-1.pdf  For college student looking for information on voting? Check: https://andrewgoodman.org/myvoteeverywhere/