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New Online Voter Registration Tool for Nonprofits from ROCK THE VOTE
A free online voter registration tool is being made available to nonprofits by Rock the Vote and Young Voter Strategies. The two groups dedicated to mobilizing young voters merged in August 2007. Learn how you can use this tool on your website.
The consolidated organization, which will be known as Rock the Vote, aims to register two million young Americans during the 2008 election cycle. In 2006, Young Voter Strategies coordinated the election cycle's largest nonpartisan effort to register young voters; the 15-partner effort registered more than 500,000 18-30 year olds. Rock the Vote leaders hope that by combining the well-known, hip brand of Rock the Vote with Young Voter Strategies' research and outreach expertise, the integrated organization will make 2008 a turning point in voter turnout among young Americans.
Tools for nonprofits to engage voters, young and old
Rock the Vote recognizes that registering two million young people will require the support of charities across the country. To ensure that citizens of all ages have ample opportunity to register online, Rock the Vote developed a voter registration tool for nonprofits and other organizations. Nonprofits can download the voter registration widget to post on their own websites. When visitors click on the widget to register, they register through the nonprofit’s website. By using this service visitors agree to opt in to communications from RTV, but they are free to unsubscribe at any time. They are never directed to a third-party website and there are no pop-up windows.
Not only does the tool allow nonprofits to provide a valuable service to voters, it also enables nonprofits to gather valuable information. Using secure technology, the widget stores the names and the contact information of all visitors who register via a website hosting the widget. Nonprofits using the tool will have instant access to all of the information (e.g. cell phone, email, etc) registrants using their site provided through the registration process. Nonprofits can then use the lists in their issue advocacy, voter education, or grassroots mobilization efforts.
Nonprofits already using the tool include America's Second Harvest, United Farm Workers, National Network for Arab American Communities, as well as several dozen colleges and universities.
Millennial generation poised to mobilize
Heather Smith, Executive Director of Rock the Vote, believes the two million registration goal is achievable for a number of reasons. In a recent telephone interview, Smith asserted that members of the "Millennial Generation" are more engaged in political and community affairs than the previous generations. For example, young people are volunteering more than ever before. Smith believes the growth in new forms of online communication forums and social network sites, such as Facebook, offer a new medium for political discussion and engagement among young people. Smith also suggested that September 11th and the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have played a role in mobilizing young Americans.
For nonprofits interested in engaging young voters, Rock the Vote also provides valuable opinion research and polling on young voters. For example, a recent poll of young voters determined that Iraq and health care are young peoples' primary policy concerns.
Nonprofits can also take advantage of Rock the Vote’s research on best practices for mobilizing young voters. Their recent publication —
Smith's advice to nonprofits who want to engage more young voters in the political process and issue advocacy: "Treat them the same way you would any voter by reaching out to them, find out what issues they care most about it, and then focusing the conversation on those issues."