Participation in Election and Voter Engagement Activities
Montana nonprofits play a pivotal role in building a more inclusive democracy. Nonprofits have the constitutional right and responsibility to engage in electoral and policy-making processes. As long as nonprofits remain nonpartisan, they can talk about the importance of elections, educate voters on when and where to vote, engage in voter registration, communicate election reminders, host candidate forums, and more.
Nonpartison does not mean non-participatory.
People engaged by nonprofits are more likely to vote than comparable voters. The boost in turnout is greatest among voters otherwise underrepresented in our democracy, including people of color, people living on low incomes, and voters ages 18-24. (Nonprofit VOTE Power Report)
What your organization can do to encourage participation in our democracy:
1
Voter Registration
Share this online voter registration portal with the people you serve, your staff, or other partners! While Montana does not have online voter registration, this tool makes registering to vote easy. [Note that this portal is organized by several Montana organizations and is not affiliated with the Montana Secretary of State or any County Election Office.]
Sign up for a voter registration box to offer voter registration at your nonprofit. The box includes voter registration forms, a secure box, and support from MontPIRG and/or Forward Montana.
Host the League of Women Voters to conduct voter registration for your organization. Trained, non-partisan volunteers can help register eligible Montanans to vote by coming to your organization or sponsored event. Please contact Rebecca Johnson to set up a date and time. Volunteers help register folks to vote, check voter registration status, and provide non-partisan voting materials.
Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 17, 2024, or plan your own voter registration event. Sign up to receive free stickers, posters, and support. You can also host a registration event on any day that works for your organization!
2
Encourage & remind people to vote
Commit your nonprofit to being a Nonprofit Staff Vote partner. This campaign encourages nonprofit employers to offer employees paid time off to vote on or before Election Day. Signing up as a partner also gives you access to tools to integrate voter engagement into your nonprofit’s ongoing programs and services while remaining nonpartisan.
Share votemt.gov and other voter resources in your communications to encourage people to confirm their voter registration status, find their polling place, and answer any questions they may have about voting in Montana. Include reminders and information on voting in your newsletters, website, social media, or other communications in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
3
Talk to Candidates
Invite candidates to visit your nonprofit and learn about your work. Candidates want to engage with the communities they are running to represent. Invite them to your organization for a tour and conversation. Review guidelines for engaging in a nonpartisan manner. Invite each of the candidates running for a particular office and avoid any language or statements that could be construed as endorsing a particular candidate.
Want to learn more?
- Nonprofit Voter Engagement Guide from National Council of Nonprofits
- Nonprofit Voter Engagement Playbook from Independent Sector
- Find webinars, voting information, and support at Nonprofit VOTE
- Important information about how to vote in Montana from Montana Secretary of State and Campus Vote Project
- Find county-level voting information in Montana by visiting Vote in Montana.
Explore MNA’s Policy Work
MNA advocates at all levels of government to inform policymakers of the impact of nonprofits and promote policies that enable nonprofits to advance their missions.
You can view our Policy Agenda, meet our Policy Council, and read updates on our work on our Public Policy page.
MNA’s Election and Voter Engagement Activities
For Montana’s charitable nonprofits to have a seat at the policy table, we must work together to raise the visibility and voice of the nonprofit sector through our relationships and activities with policymakers and candidates at all levels. During election years, Montana Nonprofit Association provides an opportunity for candidates of relevant statewide offices to engage with constituents at the annual MNA conference. Additionally, MNA promotes and supports legally permissible, nonpartisan engagement by Montana nonprofits the upcoming election.
Working together, we will build strong partnerships with our policy makers and mobilize our nonprofit leaders and constituents for a vibrant nonprofit sector.
For more information regarding MNA’s election and voter engagement activities, please contact Policy Director Lorianne Burhop or call (406) 449-3717.
Nonprofit Election and Voter Engagement Resources
Watch our town hall with MontPIRG on nonprofits and civic engagement
Sign up for MNA’s legislative session alerts
Select “Leg. Session Weekly Policy Updates” below to make sure you’re getting information about MNA’s policy priorities and action alerts during the 2025 legislature.
