* To work with local Leagues to educate , energize and empower voters - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

* To work with local Leagues to educate , energize and empower voters for Election 2016! LWV Needham LWV Amherst LWV Norwood

* • Inform voters about Online Voter Registration – convenient way to register, check status • Register voters at schools…community and senior centers…naturalization ceremonies…local nonprofits and service organizations…shelters and transitional housing. • Remind voters that primary is on THURSDAY , September 8 (not typical Tuesday) • Some recent examples from: • LWV Winchester, • LWV Springfield Unit, • LWV Greater Haverhill

* • A customizable digital resource created by LWVUS allows voters to access personalized ballot information simply by entering a street address! • Provides information about candidates, ballot measures, an online voter registration tool, local and state voting requirements and rules, and a polling place finder. • LWVMA will bring this digital platform to all Massachusetts voters for the first time in election 2016.

* • Guide will cover all congressional and State House races. • Guide will also contain descriptions and pros/cons for ballot questions. • In May, LWVMA will convene a working group to develop questions, work on guides for Sept. primary and Nov. general elections. • Leagues in the same districts can work together. • LWVMA will provide press releases and social media visibility.

* • We encourage local Leagues in the same district to work together on Congressional and State House candidates’ forums. • LWVMA will work with local Leagues to coordinate forums. • We will provide templates and checklists to assist with the planning process. • LWVMA will provide publicity and visibility.

* • LWVMA will develop information on ballot questions that we can support or oppose, and those for which we have no position. • Voters’ Guide will provide pros and cons of each ballot question. • Local Leagues encouraged to share information through publicity, Letters to Editor, forums. • Example from LWV Cape Ann

* • Online Voter Registration : We distributed over 5,000 online voter registration informational postcards to 32 local Leagues to share with the public at League events. More will be available soon. • Pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds: We will be preparing postcards with information about pre-registration for 16- and 17- year-olds when that becomes effective in late summer! • Distribute cards through community partners - target populous areas without local League presence. Suggestions?

* • Early voting: We have been working with the Election Modernization Coalition to encourage cities and towns to implement a robust version of early voting, starting 11 days before the general election. • General election information : We are preparing updated versions of our voter information pamphlets that local Leagues will be able to download from our website.

* • Social Media Campaign : We will use our specially designed “digital pledge cards” and other branded posts to motivate the vote. • Video Contest PSAs : We will encourage the youth vote by publicizing the winners of our “YOUth Should Vote” Student Video Contest through digital and print media.

* • League Choice Books : LWVMA has begun identifying and selecting books that may help inform kids and teens about our nation’s history and system of voting and elections. We have identified four books on our website that Leagues may want to share with their communities.

* Call To Action: JOIN THE MOVEMENT! 1. Register voters at schools…community and senior centers… naturalization ceremonies…local nonprofits and service organizations… shelters and transitional housing. 2. Volunteer to join LWVMA’s VOTE411.org Working Group. 3. Coordinate district-wide candidates’ forums with other Leagues. 4. Inform voters about ballot questions through forums or other local outreach. 5. Help spread the word about new election laws and procedures. 6. Share our digital “pledge cards,” voting reminders, and PSAs on social media. 7. Use League Choice Books to connect with community.

* • What have we forgotten? • What additional resources/ information would you like LWVMA to provide to help you educate, energize, and empower voters during Election 2016? • Think of something later? Let us know.