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Greetings!
With the Los Angeles Municipal Elections just around the corner, we want to remind you that TODAY is the LAST DAY to register (or re-register) to vote in time for the March 5th municipal elections. If you're planning to vote in Los Angeles and are not currently registered (or need to re-register because you've moved), make sure your form is postmarked today or submitted online before midnight.
Register online at www.registertovote.ca.gov.
**If you are not sure whether you've already registered or need to re-register, visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's website here to check your voter registration status. |
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Four Reasons to Get Involved in Local Elections
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Four Reasons to Get Involved in Local Elections
Although local elections lack the prominence of presidential races, they are a great platform for nonprofits to begin or to expand their voter engagement efforts. Participation tends to be lower in local races because many voters don't understand the offices, know who the candidates are, or because there is less campaigning. Your nonprofit can fill this void and raise participation rates by focusing on voter education. Here are four reasons to get involved with a local election this year: - Knowledge and Power for Your Community. Comprehensive voter education can build both knowledge among and power for your constituents. Empowering your community in local elections can encourage other civic habits in addition to benefiting your organization.
- Fewer Voters and Greater Impact. Because fewer voters cast ballots in local elections, your potential to impact the election is enormous. Registering and turning out even a small number of voters can dramatically change the landscape of an election.
- Greater Access to Candidates. It's easier in local elections to connect with candidates. It's also a great way to raise the profile of your organization. You can forge relationships that benefit your community now, and that also have the potential to pay off as local candidates are elected to higher office.
- The Results Matter. Local races may not be as popular as presidential races, but they nevertheless impact policy, zoning, spending decisions, school organization, and much more.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has released its list of 2013 mayoral races. If there is an election in your community this year, don't sit it out. There is an enormous need to increase voter participation in local elections and no matter what your organization does, you can positively impact your community.
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2013 Municipal Election Resources
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CPP Voter Resources for the Upcoming March 5 Municipal Elections in Los Angeles
The California Participation Project is one of 20 nonprofits that are part of the Los Angeles City Clerk's voter outreach campaign called " L.A. City Votes!" a voter outreach and education campaign designed to inform, educate, and energize voters about the upcoming City of Los Angeles 2013 Municipal Elections.
As part of our work, we wanted to let you know of some of the resources that we have available on our website: - Civic Engagement Calendar (www.caparticipates.org/calendar) - Because there is no single master calendar of civic engagement activities happening through the city or county, CPP has been working with our various partners to identify and compile information about various candidate forums and other events taking place throughout the city and county.
- Election and Candidate Information and Video Archives of Candidate Forums - In addition to a Civic Engagement Calendar, CPP has also compiled information about the upcoming municipal elections, including important dates, links to candidate websites, and video archives of mayoral and school board candidate forums that are available on the web.
- Facebook and Twitter - We hope that you will subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter accounts for more real-time updates, including reminders about upcoming candidate forums and other news related to voting and elections.
Finally, since the website is only as good as the information that we have available, if anybody has information that they would like to include on the calendar or the website, please feel free to let Lawrence know by sending him an email at lawrence [at] caparticipates.org.
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| Useful Voter Information | |
Below are some links to help equip voters better prepare for the upcoming elections:
Verify Your Voter Registration Status:
Contact your local election offices to confirm your voter registration status. If you live in Los Angeles County, visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's website here to check your registration status. For those outside of L.A. County, visit the California Secretary of State's website here for a link to your local county registrar/clerk.
Apply for Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot by February 26:
Visit the City Clerk's website to download a form requesting a Vote-By-Mail (VBM) ballot for the upcoming municipal election. VBM requests must be received by the City Clerk's office by February 26 in order for you to receive your ballot in time.
(Note: voters who would like to become permanent VBM voters may still do so with the online registration process and through the L.A. County RR/CC here. However, please note that to ensure that your VBM request is processed in time for the March election, it is best to also apply for a VBM Ballot from the City Clerk's office here.)
Polling Place & Sample Ballot Look-Up:
Plan ahead and look up your polling place & sample ballot information. L.A. County voters, including those who are voting in the city of Los Angeles, can visit the L.A. County RR/CC's website here. For those outside of L.A. County, visit the California Secretary of State's website here.
You can also visit www.smartvoter.org for information about all contests and candidates on your ballot and where you vote.
Voter Guides:
Check out the 2013 Municipal Elections page on our website for links to important dates, candidate information, and video archives of candidate forums for the upcoming Los Angeles Municipal Elections on March 5th. Also, check out the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Educational Fund's Easy Voter Guides (available in English and Spanish).
GOTV Posters:
Advertise polling hours prominently on your website and in your lobby. If you would like an L.A. City Votes! poster to post in your lobby, please contact Lawrence at lawrence [at] caparticipates.org. Voters are more likely to participate if they believe turnout will be high, and your reminders can convince people to head to the polls!
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Webinar: Getting Started with Voter Engagement
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Thursday February 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern
Looking for an introduction to nonpartisan voter engagement for nonprofits? Voters won't be selecting the next president this year, but they will be electing state and local government leaders. Don't sit out during these important elections! Join Nonprofit VOTE for an overview of nonpartisan dos and don'ts, as well as effective tactics for voter registration, voter education, ballot measure advocacy, candidate engagement, and get-out-the-vote efforts. We'll focus on ways to help you integrate outreach into services you already provide. Register today!
Featured Presenter: Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter is currently a consultant with Nonprofit VOTE and previously led the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Project at Democracy North Carolina. Her prior work experience includes advocacy around statewide juvenile justice reform in Texas and local drug policy reform in Seattle, WA. She has a BA in History from Scripps College and a MSW with an emphasis on Community, Management, and Policy Practice from UNC-Chapel Hill.
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Get More Updates from CPP
Want to stay connected with new resources, upcoming events and activities that your nonprofit can do to engage your communities in elections and voting? Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter:
www.facebook.com/caparticipationproject 
@caparticipates |
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Sincerely,
The California Participation Project
1000 N. Alameda St. Suite 240
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Office: (213) 346-3291 |
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