Organizations can and should be involved, says director of civic engagement at the Alliance
Misconceptions about what role nonprofit organizations can and cannot play in elections abound, says Linda Nguyen, director of civic engagement at the Alliance.
“Many organizations think that they can’t be involved,” she says. “That’s just not true. The law allows nonprofits to engage in all sorts of election-related activities, including voter education, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote efforts.”
What nonprofits must be careful about, however, is to remain nonpartisan. They cannot show or state preference for or against a particular candidate or party.
“To remain nonpartisan, organizations cannot endorse particular candidates,” Nguyen says. “Also, if they host a candidate forum, they need to invite all candidates. Even if not all the candidates come, the important thing is that no one was excluded intentionally.”
Other activities for nonprofits to consider include:
- encouraging staff to both register to vote and cast a ballot, as well as be active in civic life;
- helping clients and community members register to vote;
- providing residents with transportation to the polls on election day;
- supplying clients and staff with information about the issues and candidates so that voters will be informed.
Visit the Alliance’s civic engagement website for ideas and resources related to nonprofits and elections, as well as resources to support other facets of civic engagement.
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