Today we’re diving into the sixth of our eight-part series, exploring how nonprofits champion democracy and protect voting rights. We’ll unpack the strategies these organizations use to advocate for democratic participation while operating within the law. This conversation feels especially urgent as we see acceleration to challenges to voting rights and democratic institutions in 2025.
Attorneys for this episode
Tim Mooney
Natalie Ossenfort
Susan Finkle Sourlis
Shownotes
Current Events / Executive Orders
· Trump Administration Directives on Voting & Civil Rights
o Disbanded the DOJ Voting Rights Section’s Election Monitoring Program.
o Rescinded Biden executive order promoting federal agency voter registration partnerships
o Halted implementation of interagency plans for voter access through social service agencies, and redirecting the Election Assistance Commission to implement draconian requirements outside the scope of its mission his authority over it.
· Impact on Vulnerable Communities
o Revoked supporting access to the ballot for voters with disabilities and non-English speakers.
o Pressured USPS to deprioritize ballot delivery during election periods and issued an EO that attempts to reject mail in ballots postmarked on Election Day but received afterward.
Nonlobbying Advocacy
Although you may consider this an off year for federal elections (but many local and state elections are happening this year) – now is the time to work to ensure the protection of voting rights for the future.
Advocacy can take many forms, lobbying is just one form. There are many ways organizations can advocate for change to ensure democracy and voting rights are secure. Organizing, educating the public, conducting research, executive branch and regulatory activities, working with your local state board of elections, trainings and litigation just to name a few way.
Here are some ways organizations have undertake
· Educate the Public
o Democracy North Carolina launched a digital explainer on redistricting and gerrymandering for community audiences, and engaged in election protection work. This included monitoring polling stations for long lines, problems with voting, voting misinformation.
· Hold a Rally or Event
o Detroit Action organized “Halloween Early Vote,” a trunk or treat in a historically underrepresented part of Detroit, promoting civic pride, early voting… and candy.
· Litigation as Advocacy
o Campaign Legal Center and Southern Poverty Law Center sued Louisiana for new proof of citizenship documentation as a violation of federal law.
o League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund, the Democratic National Committee and others sued to overturn Trump’s federal elections executive order, successfully enjoining some of the more egregious parts of it.
Foundation-Funded Advocacy
· Public and private foundations can fund 501(c)(3) nonpartisan voter engagement activities that do not support or oppose candidates for public office.
· Special rules for private foundations re: voter registration drives (grants must be for nonpartisan VR drives conducted in 5 or more states over multiple election cycles), but community foundations can fund VR even for small, local, grassroots organizations.
· Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York have supported nonpartisan voter education and rights litigation to strengthen democracy and public trust in government.
Lobbying
· Legislative Wins
o New York: Enacted the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, pushed through with support from a coalition including Legal Defense Fund and Citizen Action of NY
o New Mexico: Passed legislation mandating automatic and same-day voter registration following lobbying by ProgressNow NM and allies.
· Ballot Measures Protecting Voting Rights
o Michigan Proposal 2 (2022): Guaranteed early voting and drop boxes; supported by Voters Not Politicians and League of Women Voters of Michigan.
o Arizona: Local advocates, including Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), defeated multiple voter suppression ballot initiatives.
o Nevada: Voters passed automatic voter registration (2018) and expanded it further in 2022 with strong nonprofit support.
Resources
· Democracy & Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Democracy and Voting Rights
· Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet)
· Practical Guidance: what your nonprofit needs to know about lobbying in your state
· Investing in Change: A Funder’s Guide to Supporting Advocacy
· Seize the initiative