New York Nonprofit 2021 Elections Training Overview

New York Nonprofit 2021 Elections Training This training has four sections. Each section can be delivered as a stand alone session lasting 30-45 minutes. The slide notes provide guidance for the workshop facilitator. Created Feb. 2021

New York Nonprofit 2021 Elections Training Part One: Voting Matters Part Two: Nonpartisan Power Part Three: New York State Voting Rules Part Four: Get-out-the-Vote Tips

Introductions Name and Organization One thing you hope to get out of this training One burning question you have

Agenda Part One: Voting Matters Civics Jeopardy Game New York State Election Timeline Small Group Activity Part Two: Nonpartisan Power Nonprofit Voter Engagement Model Nonpartisan Dos and Don ts Discussion Part Three: New York State Voting Rules New York State Voter Registration Rules Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Practice Part Four: Get-Out-The-Vote Tips Voter Research Pledge Cards Partnership Opportunities and Useful Websites Planning

Part One: Voting Matters

Civics Jeopardy 1.Definition 2.Definition 3.Definition 4.Elections 5.Elections 6.Elections 7.Politicians 8.Politicians

2021 New York State Election Timeline Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election Visit NYS or NYC Board of Elections to get an application Primary Election Day Deadline to Apply to Vote by Mail in the General Election Early Voting Period Nov 2 June 22 June 12 20 May 28 June 15 Oct 8 Oct 26 Oct 23- 31 Deadline to Apply to Vote by Mail in the Primary Election Visit NYS or NYC Board of Elections to get an application General Election Day Deadline to Register to Vote in the General Election Early Voting Period Source: New York State Board of Elections Political Calendar

Small Group Activity TASK: 1. Review the facts in the next few pages. 2. List the questions you have. 3. Select on fact that you think will be most useful to share with others to highlight the importance of voting in this year s election. 4. Identify someone to record the groups answers and report back to the entire group the fact the group chose and why.

Voting Profile - New York State 5.4 million To Register! 12.5 million 70% Registration Rate Registered Voters 17.9 million Eligible Voters Source: NYC Civic Engagement Table

Voting Profile: Turnout 63% 2020 NYS Presidential General 45% 2018 NYS Mid-term General 22% 2017 NYC General 13% Sources: United States Elections Project and NYC & NYS Board of Elections 2017 NYC Primary

Part Two: Nonpartisan Power

Nonprofit Voter Engagement Nonprofit Model Integrated into day to day activities Leverages trust, social missions, personal relationships and community base 100% Nonpartisan Captured audiences work better than adding to intake procedures Discussion Question: At your organization, what are the opportunities to talk about elections and register voters?

Being Nonpartisan The One Rule A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization may not: support or oppose a candidate for public office or a political party A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization may not: Make an endorsement Donate money or resources

8 Permissible Activities allowable on a nonpartisan basis 1. Voter Registration 2. Voter Education on the Process of Voting 3. Voter Guides on Candidates and Ballot Measures 4. Candidate Forums 5. Educating the Candidates 6. Encouraging Voter Participation Get-out-the-Vote 7. Voting Rights and Election Reform 8. Helping on Election Day

What Staff Can Do Nonprofit staff are free to engage in partisan activities, such as supporting a candidate, outside of normal work hours, i.e. off the clock. However, staff cannot represent the organization on a campaign nor use the organizational resources for a candidate

Acceptable or Not? To say: 1. Register to vote to help stop the conservative state legislature from cutting funding for health programs. 1. Would you like to be sent a reminder about where and when to vote? 1. Would you like to be sent a voter guide to learn where Republican candidates running for office stand on the issues? To answer: 4. What party was President Obama? I want to register for that party? 5. I don t know who is running for office, which candidate supports funding for senior centers? 6. What is the difference between Democrats and Republicans?

Question At your organization, what are the opportunities to talk about voting, register voters and encourage people to vote?

Part Three: New York State Voting Rules

New York Voter Registration Form Form used to: Register to vote for the first time OR first time in New York State Update your name Update your address Become a member of a political party Change membership in a political party Pre-register to vote if you are 16 or 17 years old Download the form at NYS Board of Elections website Registration Eligibility: Citizen of the US 18 years old by election day (pre-register starting at 16 Not be in prison for a felony conviction Resident of NY for 30 days before election day Not claim to vote elsewhere

VOTER REGISTRATION FORM FAQ Can a person without a home register to vote? YES A homeless person has the right to vote. On the voter registration form, use the location/address that is considered home, such as the address or cross street where they sleep. For the mailing address, use the address of a shelter or P.O. box. Can a person use a PO mailbox address on the voter registration form? NO A voter registration form will not be processed if a PO Box is the permanent address. A physical address is needed to determine the political district a person votes in. There is a section on the form to put in a mailing Does a person have to re-register if they move? NO The registration of voters who move within New York State and fill out a change of address with the United States Postal Service will automatically be updated. YES If a person moves out of state they will need to register to vote in that state. If a person does not fill out a change of address with the US Postal Service.

Voter Registration FAQ Are registered voters more likely to be called for jury duty? Possibly, but people are called who are not registered. Jurors are drawn from lists of state taxpayers and licensed drivers as well as from voter registration rolls. Can a person find out if they are registered to vote? Call the Board of Elections 1-866-868-3692 Check On-Line: voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us How does a person register to vote? On-line via the New York Department of Motor Vehicles at dmv.ny.gov Requires drivers license or government issued identification By mail download a form at the New York State or New York State or City Board of Elections Requires printer, envelope and stamps Pick up a form at the Library, Post Office or Department of Motor Vehicles Requires envelope and stamps By mail via Third Party Website at register2vote.org Requires Signing the registration Mailing the form back to the Board of Elections in the stamped envelope

Voter Registration FAQ Does a person need identification to register to vote? NO, New York State does not require voters to present identification when registering. BUT, if a voter did not fill in the last 4 digits of their social security or driver s license number on the voter registration form, identification must be provided at the polling place when voting for the first time. Voters can present the following forms of identification: A current, valid photo ID, including a drivers' license or a DMV-issued non-driver photo ID A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and address What happens if a person doesn t pick a political party? They will not be allowed to vote in the primary. New York State has closed primaries. Only party members are allowed to vote in the primary that selects the party s candidates for the general election. NOTE: February 14, 2021 is the deadline to change a party affiliation and be able to vote in the June 22, 2021 primary. Where can someone get nonpartisan information about the election and candidates? Ballotpedia: Information about Elections, Elected Officials and Candidates: ballotpedia.org League of Women Voters Candidate Guide: vote411.org New York City Campaign Finance Board Candidate Guide: nyccfb.info

Voter Registration Tips and Practice Good Morning/Afternoon/Hello Are you registered to vote where you live now? The overall idea is to make a person feel listened to. Acknowledge their point of view and then offer an alternative way to view the situation Have you moved since you last registered? Place the document in their hands I can help you today. It only takes 2 minutes. The THREE NO s RULE! After three no s, smile and say.. NEVER ask Are you a citizen. OK I understand, have a great day! COMMON RESPONSES I don t want to register or I don t care about voting. I don t have time. I can t register to vote. I am not eligible. Why are you asking me that. I am just here for services.

Part Four: Get-Out-The-Vote Tips

Voter Research Start get-out-the-vote two weeks before voting Social pressure is the most effective and scalable A friend is a better messenger than a stranger Use pledge cards that can be mailed back to the voter Ask voters to verbalize their reasons for voting Emphasize the voting process NOT issues or candidates Prompt people to make a plan and vote early Tell first-time and low-propensity voters their ballot is secret, their right to vote without intimidation and it is a public record whether or not they choose to vote

Pledge Cards Voter research shows that asking people to fill out a pledge to vote card increases voter turnout. Pledge cards have dual purposes. First, they communicate important election information, such as deadlines to register to vote and apply for a vote by mail ballot, as well as reminding people of election dates. Second, they capture a person s contact information so they can be sent reminders to vote.

SOME ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Email from the Executive Director about deadlines & links to register to vote Convene group to email/text their colleagues, friends and neighbors Table during work hours in an area convenient for staff Post information on website Promote voting via social media Make announcements at staff and community meetings Place posters in high-traffic areas Take pictures and post them internally Organize a civic engagement party and invite people to register to vote and/or request a mail in ballot Create a goal to get 100% of eligible staff registered to vote Create a goal to get 100% of eligible staff pledged to vote

Sample Pledge Card PLEDGE TO VOTE IN 2021 I commit to voting in the 2021 Election and ensuring my voice is heard. I want to stay informed about (INSERT ORG NAME) and its mission. Name Email Phone Zip PRIMARY ELECTION DEADLINES Register to Vote - May 28 Apply to Vote by Mail - June 15 Early Voting: June 12 20 Election Day: June 22 GENERAL ELECTION DEADLINES Register to Vote - October 8 Apply to Vote by Mail - October 26 Early Voting: Oct 23 31 Election Day: Nov 2 Visit vote.org to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot Help (INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME) crush inequities and bring resources to our community. Our organization is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. Your information will never be sold to a third party.

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Common Cause New York Campaigns to make voting easier and hold government accountable COMMUNITY Votes Supports the integration of voter engagement within existing nonprofit programs Let New York Vote Coalition Working to make registering and voting more accessible and equitable New York City Campaign Finance Board NYC Votes Promotes civic engagement through resources, community outreach, voter registration and rank choice voting training New York Civic Engagement Table Supports partner organizations voter engagement activities League of Women Voters: New York City and New York State Source for nonpartisan election information and training Rank the Vote NYC Education and training about rank choice voting

Useful Websites ballotpedia.org Information about candidates, politicians and government institutions congress.gov Voting records of a U.S. Senator or Representative nyassembly.gov/mem List of legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by a NY State Assembly member nysenate.gov/senators List of legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by a NY State Senate member vote411.org Personalized voting information

Voter Engagement Planning Questions Topic Areas 1.Capacity 2.Knowledge 3.Goals 4.Voter Registration 5.Engaging Candidates & Ballot Measures 6.Get Out The Vote & Election Day