Legal Guide Shows Nonprofit Groups How to Participate in the Election Process

NEW BOOKS

Nonprofits, Voting & Elections: A Guide for 501(c)(3) Organizations on Non-Partisan Voter Participation and Education, outlines how charities can get involved in the electoral process without breaking the law. The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network publication lists the activities nonprofit groups can pursue — such as registering people to vote, supporting or opposing a particular ballot question, and sponsoring forums for debate — and a list of activities that charities cannot engage in: contributing money to candidates, rating candidates, and letting them use the organization’s equipment or mailing lists. The guide describes how to create a voter’s guide to candidates, how to organize a voter-registration drive, and other ways to get involved. The guide answers a list of frequently asked questions, and contains a compilation of resources for further reading.

Publisher: Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network, c/o Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, 2314 University Avenue, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minn. 54114; (617) 642-1904; http://www.nonprofitvote.org; 15 pages; available free for download on the organization’s Web site.