September 21-27, 2008 is National Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week
Our experience is that clients want to vote and do vote if barriers to exercising this basic right are removed. Studies show that 70% of those registered to vote by volunteer efforts in welfare and food stamp offices actually go to the polls and vote in presidential elections. Our clients are often disconnected from community life. Voting helps them reconnect with their community in a positive way.
Last week we published information about the four voter registration campaigns that are part of National Homeless and Low Income Registration Week being coordinated by the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness. As part of that post we referenced a manual published by the national sponsors. We encourage you to read this important resource booklet. Click here to read this important manual.
The manual has a section on how to overcome agency resistance to voter registration drives. We are pleased to share it with our readers.
“My agency is not allowed to do voter registration.”
Non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations can operate voter registration drives if they do so in a non-partisan manner. In fact, the National Voter Registration Act encourages all non-governmental entities to register their clients. As a non-profit, you cannot take a position on candidates, but you can register people to vote.
“My agency does not have the staff, volunteers or the time to do voter registration.”
If you are not in a position to conduct an actual voter registration drive, you can help register voters as part of your regular work. Here are some ideas to conduct voter registration besides a drive:
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Incorporate voter registration into your intake or interview process (see pg. 7 for advice on conducting registration in this manner. We will post on this issue later this week).
Have registration forms readily available if not integrating it into your intake process.
Having a voter registration party after hours or for lunch is easier than conducting an intense voter registration drive throughout an afternoon or an entire day (see pg. 15 for more advice on voter registration parties).
Combine a voter registration drive with a candidate volunteer day, which will also bring media coverage to your organization. Although this is time intensive, this will possibly bring a lot of publicity (see pg. 19 for advice on having candidates volunteer at your organization).
“Clients are not interested in the issues.”
Our experience is that clients want to vote and do vote if barriers to exercising this basic right are removed. Studies show that 70% of those registered to vote by volunteer efforts in welfare and food stamp offices actually go to the polls and vote in presidential elections. Our clients are often disconnected from community life. Voting helps them reconnect with their community in a positive way.
“OK, I am convinced. What else can I do?”
Here are a few ideas. Email us if you want more information or assistance.
Let your clients use your agency as a mailing address for their sample and/or absentee ballots.
Call your City/County Elections Office and find out if your agency can become a polling site on Election Day.
Provide transportation to a polling site on Election Day.
Organize a candidates’ forum and ask the candidates to address your issues.
Help clients to get a candidates’ forum in your community.
Talk to your peers in other non-profits, and encourage them to involve their clients in the democratic process.
To secure registration forms click here.
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