No matter which candidates walk away with the most votes in the 2018 Texas primaries, there has been one clear winner from the beginning — the voters. Even before Tuesday’s ballots are counted, Texan voters took advantage of their rights and cast early votes in record numbers. According to Texas Secretary of State office, early read more
This November’s midterm election coincides with another special occasion: November 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the first nationwide popular election of U.S. Senators. (Maryland and Alabama each held a special election prior to November 1914.) Before the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, U.S. Senators were selected by state legislatures. read more
In 2013, the Bipartisan Policy Center created a Commission on Political Reform to investigate the causes and consequences of America’s partisan political divide and to advocate for specific reforms to improve the political process. Their new report, Governing in a Polarized America: A Bipartisan Blueprint to Strengthen our Democracy, identifies reforms in three specific areas: read more
This month’s municipal elections in Connecticut marked the first time voters in the state could register on Election Day. In Connecticut, Election Day Registration is not available at polling places. Instead, each town has a designated Election Day Registration location. Secretary of State Denise Merrill estimates that between 1,500 and 2,000 people took advantage of Election read more
On Wednesday, the Census Bureau released The Diversifying Electorate–Voting Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin in 2012 (and Other Recent Elections). The report draws on data from the November 2012 Current Population Survey Voting and Registration Supplement. Among other things, it confirms that for the first time ever, black voters turned out at a higher read more
Last week’s webinar, Voter Turnout in the 2012 Election, is now available. Based on information from America Goes to the Polls 2012, the webinar covered voting trends among populations served by nonprofits, state-by-state turnout rankings, and factors affecting turnout–such as Electon Day Registration and swing state status. Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe read more
Most people expected youth turnout to decline in 2012. Signs of diminished enthusiasm were hard to miss. For instance, the Pew Research Center reported that just 28% of young people were following the election closely, down from 40% at the same point four years ago. My organization, CIRCLE, asked a random sample of young Americans read more
In 2012, 58.7% of voting eligible citizens across the country turned out to vote in the presidential election. Turnout ranged from a high of 76.1% in Minnesota to a low of 44.5% in Hawaii. In total, 130.3 million voters cast ballots in 2012, about 2.3 million less than in 2008. • Minnesota was first in read more
In 2008 only two states allowed voters to register online. By the 2012 election 13 states had online registration systems up and running. Currently, at least 14 additional states are considering legislation that would allow online registration. Online registration helps boost registration rates among young voters. Since Arizona pioneered online registration in 2002, the registration read more
Looking for interesting facts about the 2012 election and turnout? Join our next webinar: Voter Turnout in the 2012 Election Thursday April 18th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern With elections now certified in all 50 states, Nonprofit VOTE has released America Goes to the Polls 2012, the latest in a series of reports on national turnout and voting read more
A partner of Nonprofit VOTE, Girls Inc. is a national affiliate-based organization “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.” In 2012, 56 local Girls Inc. affiliates around the country participated in She Votes, enabling 4,424 girls to cast ballots in a mock election. Through She Votes, girls get hands-on experience with voting, and read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar on how nonprofits can conduct nonpartisan voter engagement work! Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Nonprofits Doing Voter Engagement Thursday March 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Unsure what it means to be nonpartisan when engaging voters and connecting to candidates around elections? Join our next training when we’ll review read more
With elections now certified in all 50 states, Nonprofit VOTE is pleased to release the latest edition of America Goes to the Polls–a report on national turnout and voting trends. Despite Hurricane Sandy and a slew of proposed or enacted state-level changes in voting procedures, an estimated 58.7% of eligible voters cast ballots on November read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Getting Started with Nonprofit Voter Engagement, is now available. Thank you to Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter for joining us to discuss how nonprofits can participate in 2013 elections. Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and read more
There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s webinar! Get Started with Nonprofit Voter Engagement Thursday February 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Looking for an introduction to nonpartisan voter engagement for nonprofits? Join us for an overview of nonpartisan dos and don’ts, as well as effective tactics for voter registration, voter education, ballot measure advocacy, candidate engagement, and read more
Voters won’t be selecting the next president this year, but they will be electing state and local government leaders. Don’t sit out during these important elections! Get Started with Nonprofit Voter Engagement Thursday February 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Looking for an introduction to nonpartisan voter engagement for nonprofits? Join us for an overview of nonpartisan dos read more
November 6, 2012 was the first presidential election since the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court in 2010. Consequentially, the 2012 election was more expensive than any other election in our history by more than $700 million. In an apparent reaction to the ruling, some states voted on limiting or eliminating corporate contributions to read more
Although there is no presidential election, voters will still make critical decisions about state and local government leaders in 2013. There will be gubernatorial and state legislative elections in both New Jersey and Virginia on November 5th after June primaries. Throughout the year voters in various cities will decide mayoral elections. The U.S. Conference of read more
After the November election, we reported on long lines in a number of states. Now, a new report suggests that as many as 49,000 people in Central Florida did not cast a ballot because of extended waiting times. Theodore Allen has been analyzing the impact of long lines at the polls since 2004. His analysis read more
For a number of years, we’ve sought to fill an information void on voting and elections in the nonprofit sector with our webinar series. Webinars are free of charge for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. They are recorded and made available on-demand online, along with the PowerPoint presentation and audio file. Our webinar series will return in read more
With Election Day now behind us, it’s critical to acknowledge the role the nonprofit sector played in registering, educating, and engaging voters in 2012. Nonprofit VOTE’s Executive Director, George Pillsbury, authored an article that is featured in the current issue of The Nonprofit Quarterly. “Serving Democracy: Nonprofits Promote Voter Engagement in 2012” profiles the growing read more
Ballot measures give citizens the opportunity to directly accept or reject laws or amendments. This year, voters in many states cast ballots on proposals related to revenue, spending, and public services. In California, voters passed both Propositions 30 and 39, which raised income taxes and corporate taxes, respectively, as a means to prevent cuts to read more
On November 6th Massachusetts voters set a turnout record with 3,184,196 people casting ballots–breaking the previous record set in 2008 of 3,102,995. In total, 73.3% of registered voters made it to the polls. Congrats to MassVOTE and the countless nonprofits who worked to encourage turnout in their communities this year!
In 2012, your organization and the entire nonprofit sector helped encourage communities across the country to participate and vote. Clearly your efforts to register, educate, and engage voters paid off. This year, lower-income, younger, and more diverse communities frequently served by nonprofits accounted for a greater share of voter turnout than ever before. While some read more
Election Day is finally here. You already have the information and resources you need to help your community vote. Today is about celebrating the election and reminding and encouraging people to vote. Good luck and Happy Election Day!
Tomorrow is Election Day! In areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy, there may be changes to official polling locations that are not reflected in online tools. Be sure to check with your local elections office for updates to polling sites. If you need a little push before heading to the polls, watch JFK ask every read more
Be prepared to assist and encourage voters on Tuesday. Voters are more likely to participate if they believe turnout will be high, and your reminders can convince people to head to the polls. Advertise polling hours prominently on your website and in your lobby. Find yours with our 50 state map and download a “Vote read more
Find your polling place! November 6th is just a week away–get the tools you need for a successful Election Day. Whether you’re helping people find their polling place or looking for last minute get-out-the-vote resources, ensure you’re prepared for Election Day! Google Poll FinderThe 2012 Google Poll Finder tool is now live! It uses official read more
Materials from yesterday’s webinar, Get Ready for Election Day, are now available. With a week and a half to go until Election Day, there are still many things your nonprofit can do to encourage voters to participate in 2012! Watch the full webinar on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever read more
Get the party started! Voting is contagious. Your organization can help boost turnout by creating a celebratory atmosphere on Election Day: people are more likely to vote if it seems popular or exciting or if their peers are doing it. This kind of vibrant environment is key to generating enthusiasm–it will not only encourage voters read more
There are less than two weeks until November 6th, but there’s still plenty your organization can do to educate voters and get-out-the-vote! Get Ready for Election Day Thursday October 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern The final days before Election Day and Election Day itself are crucial to your voter engagement efforts. Find out how your nonprofit can read more
On November 6th voters will decide the fate of 176 ballot measures in 38 states. They cover a range of issues including taxes and revenue, immigrant rights, public services, criminal justice, voter ID requirements, and same-sex marriage. While nonprofits cannot endorse or oppose candidates for office, they can engage their communities around ballot measures. Remember, read more
Don’t wait until November 6th, vote early! The election is underway and your organization can encourage voters to participate now by voting early. Early voting is available in many states, but dates and requirements vary. Voting early in-person or by mail gives voters increased flexibility and the chance to address any problems that may arise read more
November 6th is almost here, but there’s still plenty your organization can do before then! Get Ready for Election Day Thursday October 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern The final days before Election Day and Election Day itself are crucial to your voter engagement efforts. Find out how your nonprofit can prepare for this final push. Our discussion read more
It’s September 25th and thousands of nonprofits across the country are registering their communities to vote! Today is the highlight of National Voter Registration Month. Ask everyone on your staff or visiting your nonprofit if they’re registered to vote or if their voter registration is up-to-date. Even if you aren’t actively registering voters, you can read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar for tips and tools to help your nonprofit get-out-the-vote: Nonprofits Get Out the Vote Thursday September 20th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Nonprofits can engage in a variety of nonpartisan activities to get-out-the-vote in their community. Learn what your nonprofit can do in the days and weeks leading up to read more
September 25th is almost here and there’s plenty you can do to ensure your community is registered and ready to vote! On November 6th, 90% of registered voters will vote, compared to 0% of unregistered voters. Yesterday’s webinar, National Voter Registration Day: Get Involved, is now available. Watch the presentation on YouTube, download the PowerPoint read more
In collaboration with the Heroes Vote Initiative, Nonprofit VOTE is pleased to announce that September 15, 2012 is National Military Voter Readiness Day. The goal of Military Voter Readiness Day is twofold: 1) to raise awareness of upcoming state deadlines for military members to register to vote and request an absentee ballot, and 2) to read more
The National Association of Secretaries of State has declared September 2012 National Voter Registration Month and September 25th National Voter Registration Day. September is the perfect time to focus on voter registration as 48 states and the District of Columbia have voter registration deadlines in October. In 2008, six million potential voters failed to cast read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Poll Worker Recruitment: You Be the Judge, is now available. Thank you to Jenny Flanagan from Common Cause for joining us to discuss how nonprofits can facilitate democracy by encouraging their constituents to serve as poll workers and translators. Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified read more
OhioVOTES, a project of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), is hosting three voter engagement trainings in September. Ohio nonprofits are invited to either Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati to learn how to mobilize and motivate your staff, board, volunteers, and the people your organization serves. The trainings are free and will cover read more
We can’t have Election Day without poll workers and translators! Encourage your constituents to serve as poll workers and help your community vote in 2012. Poll Worker Recruitment for Nonprofits Thursday August 30th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Poll workers are on the front lines of helping people vote on Election Day. This year, many states have new ID read more
The following appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of The Provider, the flagship publication of the Providers’ Council. Many nonprofits see voter outreach as something beyond the scope of the services they provide, leaving their clients to instead rely on the efforts of candidates and party campaigns. As a result, many potential voters receive no read more
We’re pleased to debut our “Vote November 6” poster design for 2012! Order yours by signing up to support voting November 6th! You can choose to receive just the poster or a full “Vote November 6” kit which includes a poster, button, and stickers to help your nonprofit promote the election. After ordering a copy, read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration, is now available. Thank you to Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter from Democracy North Carolina for joining us to discuss how your nonprofit can raise participation rates in 2012 by registering voters. Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever new content is read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar! Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration Thursday August 2nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first step to becoming an active and engaged voter. In 2008, nine out of ten registered voters cast a ballot; among those who did not vote, many reported that they encountered problems read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Nonprofits and Election Protection: Our role in helping our communities vote November 6, is now available. Thank you to Eric Marshall from the Lawyers’ Committee for joining us to discuss how your nonprofit can help ensure that your community members have the information and resources they need to successfully cast a ballot in read more
November is only a few months away! Help register your clients and community members to vote and ensure that their voices are heard in 2012! Register to learn more: Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration Thursday August 2nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first step to becoming an active and engaged voter. In 2008, read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar: Nonprofits and Election Protection Thursday July 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Your nonprofit can help ensure that your clients, constituents, and community members have the information and resources they need to successfully cast a ballot this year. We’ll discuss tools like the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline and a new mobile phone read more
Bolder Advocacy (Alliance for Justice) has a new Advocacy Capacity Tool to help nonprofits and foundations assess their ability to conduct advocacy. The online survey can provide insights and help make your advocacy more effective. Nonprofit voter engagement is a critical piece of your advocacy toolkit. Raising participation rates in your community can benefit both read more
Summer is in full swing and while you’re enjoying the seasonal fun, you shouldn’t forget about SPF. While sunscreen is important for your outdoor activities, we’re talking about a different kind of SPF–Start Planning for Fall! The November general election is just months away and there’s plenty your nonprofit can do to help your community read more
One of our newest national partners, YouthBuild USA, is coordinating a 2012 National Voter Registration Campaign with the goal of registering 25,000 new voters in YouthBuild communities across the country. Incorporated in 1990, there are now 273 YouthBuild programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. 110,000 YouthBuild students have built read more
In addition to helping clients register to vote, nonprofits can play a critical role in ensuring our communities can actually cast a ballot. Nonprofits and Election Protection Thursday July 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Your nonprofit can help ensure that your clients, constituents, and community members have the information and resources they need to successfully cast a read more
Yesterday’s webinar, National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved, is now available. With so many great questions from participants, you’ll definitely want to check out these materials! Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and read more
Endorse voting November 6 and get your free poster, buttons, and stickers! As 501(c)(3) nonprofits we can’t endorse candidates, but we can endorse voting. Join Nonprofit VOTE’s 2012 “Vote November 6” campaign by endorsing voting! The nonprofit sector can spread a simple yet effective message: Vote November 6. Together we can ensure our communities make read more
The only way to ensure that your clients and constituents can vote in November is to make sure they’re registered! Join us on Thursday for: National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved Thursday July 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern On September 25th, 2012 thousands of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers across the country will band together for read more
The only way to ensure that your clients and constituents can vote in November is to make sure they’re registered! National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved Thursday July 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern On September 25th, 2012 thousands of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers across the country will band together for National Voter Registration Day–an effort read more
As part of their Design for Democracy program, AIGA–the professional association for design–is hosting a get-out-the-vote poster contest! Their Get-Out-the-Vote campaign invites designers to create nonpartisan posters and videos that inspire the American public to participate in the electoral process and vote in the 2012 general election. The initiative enables designers to engage in the read more
On Tuesday, Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), said that Indian Health Service facilities should be designated voter registration sites in the same way state-based public assistance agencies are under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Keel noted that the facilities are ideal for voter registration because they’re in many read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration, is now available! Thank you to our wonderful presenter, Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter of Democracy North Carolina. You can watch the presentation on YouTube, and if you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio read more
November will be here before you know it–get a jump on registering your clients and community members to vote! Your nonprofit can ensure that their voices are heard in 2012! Register to learn more: Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration Thursday June 14th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first step to becoming an active read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar! If you’ve already registered, consider inviting a friend or spreading the word among your networks–we want every nonprofit to feel comfortable engaging in ballot measure activities this year! Taking a Stand: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits Thursday May 10th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Many states put laws, constitutional read more
On May 1st, the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) launched their Vote with Your Mission campaign with the goal of 100% participation among California’s nonprofit staff and volunteers in the upcoming June and November elections. What does “Vote with Your Mission” mean? CalNonprofits explains that “all of us have come to work and volunteer in read more
Next week voters in Indiana, North Carolina, and West Virginia will head to the polls to vote on federal and state offices in addition to a number of ballot questions. (Visit Ballotpedia for more on what’s on the ballot in every state this year.) But before Tuesday rolls around, Why Tuesday uses a new infographic read more
This month we’re hosting two webinars! The first is the perfect opportunity to brainstorm ways to use ballot measures to educate your clients and further your public policy goals. Taking a Stand: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits Thursday May 10th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Many states put laws, constitutional amendments, and referendums on the ballot, asking voters read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Voter Engagement Work, is now available! You can watch the presentation on YouTube, and if you subscribe to our channel, you’ll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our resources read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar on guidelines for staying nonpartisan while doing voter engagement work! Register now! Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Voter Engagement WorkThursday April 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Learn what it means to be nonpartisan and how it impacts the voter engagement efforts of nonprofits. We’ll describe what your organization read more
The Pew Center on the States recently released an issue brief on “Evidence That America’s Voter Registration System Needs an Upgrade”. The report underscores the need for registration systems that better maintain voter records, save money, and streamline processes. The report notes that nationwide: At least 51 million eligible citizens remain unregistered–more than 24% of read more
While nonprofits cannot support or oppose a candidate for office, there are a number of ways to engage candidates on a nonpartisan basis. Consider creating a candidate questionnaire: not only will it allow you to communicate with candidates, but it will also let your clients (and the public) know what the candidates think about a read more
Please join us in welcoming Kids Voting USA (KVUSA) to the Nonprofit VOTE network! Kids Voting USA is working to secure the future of our democracy by preparing young people to be educated, engaged citizens. They operate through a national network of community-based affiliates that partner with schools and elections officials to offer students in read more
In an average year, there are over 5,000 local ballot measures on ballots across the country However, Ballotpedia recently reviewed 738 county election websites and found that as many as 32% don’t display information on local ballot measures. The study reviewed 738 county election websites in 11 states–about 24% of the nation’s 3,143 counties. Accessible read more
Earlier this month, Susan Dreyfus, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Children and Families–one of Nonprofit VOTE’s national partners–blogged about the importance of voter engagement in the nonprofit community. With November speeding toward us, she urged the sector to consider how it will help ensure that all Americans can exercise their right to read more
There’s still time to register for this weeks’ webinar! Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for NonprofitsThursday March 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Join us for an introduction to nonprofit voter engagement work! We’ll cover the basics–like voter registration, voter education, candidate engagement, and get-out-the-vote efforts–and explain how to stay nonpartisan. The discussion will focus on ways maximize your read more
With Super Tuesday behind us, there’s really no reason to delay in getting started with voter engagement! To help you kick things off, we’ve simplified our “Get Started” page to give you a few select options for learning more about talking to your clients and constituents about this year’s elections. We’ve also created a new read more
With March Madness gripping the nation, you might not have heard that in North Carolina March is also Nonprofit Voter Registration Month! Democracy North Carolina, one of our state partners, is working on a 2012 Nonprofit Voter Engagement Project to encourage and support nonprofits conducting voter outreach. Although this can take many forms–like distributing nonpartisan read more
Setting the clock ahead this weekend probably got you thinking about other spring activities–like spring cleaning, spring break, and warmer weather. Before you completely fill up your spring to-do list, make sure to add a bullet for voter engagement! It’s a great way to move your nonprofit and your mission forward. As Robin Williams noted, read more
A recent article from KansasReporter.org described the situation of 50 residents at Westview Manor, a Kansas adult care facility. Due to the state’s new voter identification requirements, the vast majority could be unable to vote in this year’s election. Only 9 residents have current ID cards and just two have birth certificates that can be read more
Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s webinar, Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012! If you have additional questions for our featured presenter, Jeff Narabrook of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, you can contact him directly at jnarabrook@minnesotanonprofits.org. The webinar is now available on YouTube along with our other past webinars. Subscribe read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar! With 2012 underway, it’s important for your nonprofit to think about how you plan to register, educate, and engage voters. Join us for: Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday January 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern In this webinar we’ll discuss when, where and how to incorporate read more
With 2012 underway, it’s important for your nonprofit to think about how you plan to register, educate, and engage voters. Join us for: Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday January 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern In this webinar we’ll discuss when, where and how to incorporate voter engagement activities into your work. We’ll also read more
Today is only the third day of the new year, but it officially marks the beginning of the 2012 presidential election. Iowa Republicans are kicking off the selection process for their party’s nominee, and results are expected to begin coming in around 8:30pm Eastern. Although 2012 is underway, it’s not too early (or late) to read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar (and our final one of 2011). We’ll help you start planning for next year’s general election and how your nonprofit can maximize your impact with the resources you already have. Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday December 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern The 2012 presidential read more
As the FEC continues to update the 2012 primary calendar, four states now have presidential primaries scheduled in January; the first is a full 10 months before the general election. States jockeying for an “early” primary date is nothing new, but four January elections have many questioning the free for all scheduling scramble. Although it read more
In honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share just a few of the many things Nonprofit VOTE is grateful for this year. We’re thankful for… Our amazing network of state and national partners and their commitment to expanding nonprofit voter engagement among their affiliates. Election Day Registration because it ensures that everyone who wants to read more
November is well known for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and daylight savings, but it’s also American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. In that vein, we wanted to applaud the commitment and effort of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to promote voter engagement in Native communities. Earlier this month, NCAI officially launched the Native read more
We’re pleased to announce that our new voter turnout report, Voter Participation Gaps in the 2010 Midterm Election, is now available! It is the latest in our America Goes to the Polls series, and is based on the newly released biennial Census survey on voting and registration. The report tracks, analyzes, and explains income, age, read more
On Tuesday, Mississippi voters passed a constitutional amendment that requires voters to show government issued photo identification in order to vote. The initiative includes provisions for free photo IDs, but as with all photo ID laws, the impact on voters will depend on implementation. Although many of the states that passed voter ID laws this read more
We’ll have a more complete summary of 2011 election results later, but we just couldn’t wait to share Maine’s victory! Yesterday, Maine voters decided to restore Election Day Registration (EDR)–leaving an almost 40 year tradition unbroken. Sixty percent of voters supported EDR, and have made it possible for future voters to register and cast their read more
At Nonprofit VOTE, we support and advocate for election systems and practices that make voting easier, more convenient, and allow a greater number of people to participate. So we were glad to hear about a new paper by political scientists from Rice University and the University of Alabama called “Voting at Non-Precinct Polling Places: A read more
Many voters will be heading to the polls on Tuesday. Make sure you’re prepared for Election Day and know where you’re voting, what’s on the ballot, and where to turn if you have questions. Remember that you may be able to cast your ballot early either in-person or by mail, depending on where you live. read more
Yesterday was Election Day in Colorado, although voters in most states and municipalities will not be heading to the polls until next Tuesday, November 8. However, Colorado is not the first state to kick off election season a little early. Gubernatorial and State Legislative ElectionsLouisiana has already (re)elected Governor Bobby Jindal in a nonpartisan blanket read more
Halloween’s approach means that the polls will soon be open—and in some states already are. While young trick-or-treaters are dreaming about candy, scary stories, and haunted houses, their parents are contemplating more practical matters. Do you know our home phone number? Who will you be out with? What’s your trick-or-treating route? Safe Halloween practices are read more
The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits, is once again sponsoring the 2012 Primary Project, a presidential candidate education initiative. The Project empowers members of the nonprofit and civic sector to engage candidates campaigning in New Hampshire, while also raising candidate and public awareness of the impact and read more
The Census Bureau has released data on “Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2010” that compares voting and registration patterns by demographic, social, and geographic characteristics. This release is the latest in a series of national reports that is one of the most frequently cited sources for registration and turnout data. Last year, read more
Last week we cheered California legislators who passed laws that will make it easier to register to vote. Now we want to shine a spotlight on the other coast. In Connecticut, Secretary of State Denise Merrill is looking to build support for election improvements that would incorporate technology and cut costs. She wants to create read more
After our webinar last week on municipal and local elections, we wanted to follow up and make sure your nonprofit was excited and prepared for this fall. If your community is having a municipal election this year there are plenty of ways to get involved and get out the vote. Want to host a candidate read more
Yesterday was the 21st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. According to the Census Bureau, 36 million Americans have a disability, 12% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Because of the read more
Great news: Connecticut is looking for ways to improve and update their election systems! Earlier this week, Secretary of State Denise Merrill convened an Election Performance Task Force to review Connecticut’s election system and recommend improvements. Members of the task force include Secretary Merrill and her deputy, town clerks, representatives from Common Cause, Demos and read more
Recently, Kentucky has seen a rise in the number of voter registration forms submitted by homeless individuals. As a result, State Board of Elections Executive Director Sarah Ball Johnson wrote a memo to the state’s county clerks, instructing them to approve all voter registration applications from people who are homeless–even if clerks can’t verify the read more
In June, we reported that Maine repealed its long tradition of allowing voters to register and cast their ballot on Election Day. Luckily, the story doesn’t end there: a people’s veto campaign is underway to restore Election Day Registration (EDR) to Maine. The movement is spearheaded by a collation of nonprofits, including the Maine Women’s read more
