With the 2024 U.S. election looming, you may be wondering how you and your organization can promote voter participation such as registration and turn out.
And if you run a non-profit, you may think you need to steer clear of all things political. Not true!
While there are some clear guardrails, arts organizations are important stewards of their communities and can encourage people to vote, educate voters on issues, and support the election process. Additionally, people involved with non-profits are more likely to vote!
As a steward of the national performing arts community, APAP has assembled some helpful non-partisan resources and information about what you and your organization can do to get out the vote (GOTV):
WAYS TO ENGAGE:
- Communicate Key Election Dates for Your State: Remind members of your community, in your audiences, in your social media following, and on your mailing lists of key dates and deadlines for voting in your state. View American's For the Arts/Arts Action Fund's State Voter Factsheets, including social media toolkits!
- Start a Voter Engagement Drive: The largest non-partisan voter engagement platform Vote.org has tools on its Vote.org+ site for organizational partners (including non-profits) to GOTV (Get Out The Vote).
- Become a Partner in Vote Early Day (October 29, 2024): Encouraging early voting helps mitigate barriers to voting like busy schedules, long lines on Election Day, or unexpected events that keep people from the polls. There are many ways to participate, so be sure to check out the Vote Early Day website, so you can start planning now.
KNOW THE GUARDRAILS FOR NON-PROFITS:
- Understand the Law: The federal tax code contains a single sentence that defines the prohibition of partisan political activities by 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. It states 501(c)(3) organizations are “prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in – or intervening in – any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office."
- Review the Permissible Election Activities Checklist and What Your Staff Can Say About the Election: Nonprofit Vote has a number of great resources, including this checklist and this guide.
BE A VOTER-FRIENDLY ORGANIZATION:
- Allow Your Staff Time-Off to Vote on Election Day: Be a good steward of your community by organizing schedules that account for time needed to vote and by granting staff time to vote without having to use their Paid Time Off.
BE AN ACTIVE VOTER:
- Check Your Voter Registration Status: Go to Vote.org to check your status and register if you need to.
- Take the ArtsVote Pledge: Americans for the Arts/Arts Action Fund invites you to take the ArtsVote Pledge.
EXPLORE THESE NON-PROFIT RESOURCES:
VIEW THESE DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES:
APAP is an Arts Action Fund
ArtsVote Partner. Become a partner
here.
