Resources to Support Voter Engagement this Fall

September through November is the official season for Voter Education. Mark these dates on your calendar, learn why supporting voter registration is crucial to sustaining a healthy democracy, and gain tools to lead these efforts in your community.

National Voter Registration Day: Sept. 16, 2025

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday. The mission of this day is to support democracy by creating awareness of voter registration opportunities and ensure all eligible Americans are registered to vote and ready for their next election. Since its inception in 2012, National Voter Registration Day has helped more than 6 million people register to vote.

Millions of Americans are unable to vote each year because of financial barriers, limited access to transportation, and difficulty registering to vote. The voter registration process can be complex, and for those who have moved, changed their name, or are registering for the first time, it’s often a source of confusion and anxiety. National Voter Registration Day seeks to address these issues by providing a single, coordinated day of action. It brings together a diverse coalition of thousands of organizations, including community-based organizations, corporations, and libraries, for a nationwide effort to register voters and educate the public on election information.

National Voter Education Week: Oct. 6-10, 2025

National Voter Education Week (NVEW) is an annual, nonpartisan campaign held during the first full week of October. It’s a concerted, open-source effort by a coalition of organizations to provide voters with information and tools so they can confidently participate in elections.

The main purpose of NVEW is to bridge the gap between registering to vote and casting a ballot. Many eligible voters are registered but face barriers or have questions about the voting process. Organizations can address these issues during NVEW by helping voters find their poling locations, locate candidate information, and make an election day plan.

Why It’s Crucial for the Social Sector to Participate

For community-based organizations, participating in voter education activities is a natural extension of their mission. These organizations are often among the most trusted institutions in their communities and are uniquely positioned to reach people who might be missed by traditional political campaigns.

Here’s why it’s so important:

• Empowering Communities: Social sector organizations serve a wide range of communities, including those who are often systemically disenfranchised or have historically low voter turnout. By helping people register and learn more about their ballot, organizations empower them to use their voice and participate in decisions that directly affect their lives. This aligns with many missions focused on community empowerment, community development, and civic engagement.
• Building Civic Infrastructure: Voting is a foundational component of a healthy democracy. Nonprofits that engage in this work are not just helping individuals; they are building a stronger, more representative civic infrastructure for the entire community. This work is nonpartisan and helps ensure that the registered voting population better reflects the entire population.
• Leveraging Trust and Reach: Social sector organizations hold strong community ties and work closely with marginalized and underrepresented populations through their regular services and programs. By integrating voter registration and education into their daily activities, community-based organizations can alleviate barriers by offering accessible resources, through a trusted and local source.

How Your Organization Can Support Voter Registration

Nonprofits can participate in National Voter Registration Day in many ways, from small-scale efforts to large, coordinated events. The key is to remain nonpartisan and make voter registration as easy as possible. The IRS explicitly allows 501(c)(3) organizations to conduct nonpartisan voter registration drives.

Here are some examples of how to can get involved:

• Host a Voter Registration Drive: Set up a table with voter registration forms and a computer or tablet for online registration. This can be done at your organization’s site, at a community event, or a public space like a library or a farmers market.
• Integrate Voter Engagement into Existing Services: Staff can ask clients if they’re registered to vote, offer to help them check their status, and register on the spot.
• Use Digital and Social Media: Use your social media channels to share information. Provide links to online registration portals, key deadlines, and eligibility requirements.
• Educate and Inform: In addition to registering voters; share the impact of voting; trusted sources to find nonpartisan candidate information; and different voting options like mail-in ballots or early voting. Create spaces for dialogue and questions.

By participating, organizations can play a vital role in strengthening democracy and empowering the people they serve.

Voter Registration Resources

Whether you want to launch a campaign or just provide some print or digital resources, there are numerous resources to help you participate in this year’s voter education activities.

Toolkits and Guides:

• Strategies for Mobilizing Voters: Social Current and Nonprofit VOTE partnered to create a toolkit for nonprofit community-based organizations. Inside, you will find strategies to engage with candidates for office and voters as well as materials to assist in planning and implementing the activities the toolkit shares.

• Staying Nonpartisan: Permissible Election Activities Checklist: All nonprofits are allowed to participate in voter registration and engagement; however, understanding key limits and ensuring nonpartisanship is essential to upholding the responsibilities of maintaining a nonprofit tax status. Nonprofit VOTE created a comprehensive guide to ease determining which activities are allowed and which are prohibited.

• Voting In Your State: Differences between state laws can spark confusion. For state-specific information on elections, including how to register to vote online and in-person and voter identification requirements, visit Nonprofit VOTE’s state specific guides.

Trusted Voter Support Organizations:

• National Voter Registration Day: Register to vote, find National Voter Education toolkits, guides, checklists, and more.
• U.S. Elections Assistance Commission: Find trusted election information, register to vote, and materials for election officials.
• BallotPedia Elections Calendar: See what elections are coming up and find nonpartisan information about who is on the ballot.
• The Civics Center: Focused on registering young voters, you can find information on pre-registration for those turning 18 and resources for supporting young voters.

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