There’s a lot you can do to increase voter participation in your community – on your own or with an organization such as Democracy North Carolina. Because Democracy NC is a non-partisan organization, we can work with many types of organizations, including schools and faith-based communities.

Learn about how you can do more:

• Individuals
• Non-profits, including churches and service providers
• Schools

If you want to promote voter participation in your community, there are several things you can do as an individual:

• Register new voters – anyone may do this. Start by downloading our Voter Registration Guide. You can also obtain voter registration forms and instructions from your county Board of Elections. Remember all forms must be postmarked or turned into the Board of Elections at least 25 days before the election.
• Distribute educational flyers – such as one about Same Day Registration & Voting or one about the voting rights of people with a criminal background. Contact Democracy North Carolina, the non-partisan sponsor of this website, for quantities of materials to distribute: 919-286-6000.
• Become an official poll worker and help voters at a polling place in your county. Contact your county Board of Elections about available opportunities and procedures to apply. Poll workers are paid and receive mandatory training from the county Board. Student assistants as young as 17 can also receive pay for performing certain duties at the polls. Being a poll worker is a great way to help the community and learn about elections from the inside.
• Stay updated on Democracy North Carolina’s activities and action alerts. Email us at info@democracy-nc.org to join our email list, and check out our website for ways you or your organization can work with Democracy North Carolina.

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Non-profit groups, including churches and social service providers, can do many things to help their members, clients and the public participate in elections as knowledgeable voters. They can sponsor a broad range of activities that promote voter participation, but the activities must be non-partisan – which means they can not show favoritism toward a candidate or political party.

For guidance on what activities are permissible, please download our Election Year Guide for Faith-Based Communities. The information in this booklet applies to all 501(c)(3) non-profits. Another excellent source for materials and trainings is the national group Nonprofit Vote.

Here are examples of what a faith-based organization or other 501(c)(3) groups can do:

Voter Registration

Expand the number of voters in North Carolina.

• Make sure your members and clients are all registered to vote. Obtain voter registration forms and instructions from your county Board of Elections and review our Voter Registration Guide. You may insert registration forms into your programs or hand them out at a service, but don’t advocate for a specific party affiliation or candidate. 
• Adopt a neighborhood close to your church or organization for a voter registration drive.

Voter Education

Educate people about the value of civic participation and impact that elected officials have on their lives.

• Host a guest speaker or a workshop on voting rights and the power of voters.
• Include bulletin inserts about voting in the weekly program for your religious service or put voting information on counters, tables, bulletin boards,  etc. in common areas in your building or meeting space.
• Encourage your members to become paid poll workers (contact the county Board of Elections for details).
• Distribute flyers on topics like Same Day Registration or the Voting Rights of Ex-Felons, as bulletin inserts or in the community at barber/beauty shops, etc.
• Sponsor or co-sponsor a candidate forum. Invite all candidates for an office; don’t show favoritism, but ask them all tough questions.

Voter Mobilization

Increase voter turnout in target areas.

• Preach to your congregation or talk to your clients about the value of voting during Early Voting.
• Encourage the county Board of Elections to open an Early Voting site on Sunday or Wednesday evening or another time that fits with mobilizing your members.
• Provide rides to the polls as part of a “Souls to the Polls” or other event during Early Voting.
• Recruit volunteers to call members of your congregation or organization and urge them to vote.

Voter Protection

Publicize “Election Protection” hotlines for getting help with voting problems, discriminatory practices at the polls, etc.

• Publicize the Election Protection toll-free hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE.
• Recruit volunteers to help monitor or staff polls on Election Day.

Contact Adam Sotak at Democracy North Carolina at 919-286-6000, Ext. 11 to learn about “Souls to the Polls” and other ways your organization can do more.

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High schools, universities, and community colleges can all play an important role in encouraging young people to vote, especially now that North Carolina allows 16- and 17-year olds to pre-register to vote.

Review the suggestions in the section above on churches and other non-profits because many of these ideas apply to a campus association or student group. Democracy North Carolina helps schools plan voter engagement programs and provides speakers on our core issues, including public campaign financing, voting rights, and the link between voter participation and our state’s economic and social well-being.

In addition, Democracy NC sponsors a nine-week training program each year for promising undergraduates called Democracy Summer. This program places students on the frontline of democracy as paid community organizers. Students learn the basics of social-change advocacy, political reform, and grassroots organizing tactics. Learn about Democracy Summer here, including how your organization can sponsor an intern.

For more information about Democracy North Carolina, visit www.democracy-nc.org or call 919-286-6000.

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