Legislative Watch: Nonprofits and Democracy

7/25/2024

Nonprofits and Democracy

Wow! A lot has happened in the last week! With election season now in full swing, let’s talk about the nonprofit sector’s role in the democratic process and why it is important for your organization to get involved.

Your Mission

Key strategy: nonprofit advocacy at its most basic level is simply educating the public about your cause. Research has shown that nonprofits engaging in effective advocacy advance their missions more effectively and are more successful at fundraising. How can you get started?

Take the organizational self-assessment
Take a look at some advocacy pathways

Lobbying is allowed: 501(c)(3) nonprofits can lobby but cannot endorse/oppose a candidate or a political party. The IRS states that to be considered lobbying, actions must include these three criteria:

communicate directly with a decision maker (e.g. elected official)
communicate about active or potential legislation
urge lawmaker to vote for or against a piece of legislation

If your board has a policy against lobbying, you can still take steps one and two and you would not be lobbying.

For more details on this subject, check out our free advocacy 101

Your People

Voter engagement: nonprofits have a strong track record of helping register citizens to vote and encouraging their communities and stakeholders to get to the polls. Because nonprofits are trusted pillars within their region and amongst their clients this is a great way to increase voter turnout.

Elected officials are more likely to respond to the needs and concerns of neighborhoods that turn out on Election Day, and they are more responsive to organizations that promote voting.

Educating communities: nonprofits are key educators for their communities on issues of high importance.

A great example is the United Way ALICE report.
Some nonprofits host candidate forums or guides for educational purposes. Any event of publication must remain strictly nonpartisan.

Supporting staff: many nonprofits offer paid time off for employees to vote.

Your Strategy

The National Council of Nonprofits and Nonprofit Vote have put a fantastic resource together that provides guidance on the rules of nonpartisanship, how to engage and educate candidates on your mission/cause, and how to engage potential voters.

We will have an Idaho specific guide for you in the coming months so stay tuned!

Interested in learning more? Attend national webinar on july 30

Voting in Idaho – Open Primaries on November Ballot

Why this Matters: This initiative, if passed, would change the landscape of voting in Idaho. Nonprofit clients, their communities, and how everyone’s opinions are voiced would be impacted.

“Instead of closed primaries, the initiative would create a single open primary election that all candidates and all voters would participate in. Under that open primary system, the four candidates that receive the most votes would all advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.” – Kyle Pfannenstiel of the Idaho Capital Sun

Legislative coverage with Idaho Public Television

Idaho Public Television offers Idaho In Session, a gavel-to-gavel service that includes live on-air and online coverage of the Idaho Legislature.

You can also stay up to date on the latest legislative news on Idaho Reports, IdahoPTV’s weekly broadcast.

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