Election-related Activities

Maine nonprofits are critically important to Maine’s economy and quality of life, employing 1 in 6 Maine workers and spending billions of dollars each year. Maine nonprofits stimulate the economy, build community, weave our social safety net and foster civic engagement. This year is an especially important year for nonprofits to raise awareness about the […]

As part of our blog series focused on the theme How 501c3 Nonprofits Can Engage in Elections,today we’re highlighting Social Media Do’s and Don’ts. 501(c)3 Nonprofits should be careful with their use of social media during election season. Typically, questions arise when someone posts something electoral on a nonprofit’s social media channels and when trying to […]

As part of our blog series focused on the theme How 501c3 Nonprofits Can Engage in Elections, today we’re highlighting Voter and Candidate Education. 501(c)3 Nonprofits may legally engage in voter and candidate education, such as through candidate forums and candidate questionnaires. While these are permissible to use, they need to be done carefully to avoid […]

This is part of our blog series focused on the theme How 501c3 Nonprofits Can Engage in Elections. Today we’re highlighting Nonprofit Election Law Basics. Nonprofit Election Law Basics Federal tax law prohibits 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations from engaging in electoral activity. This includes: No support or opposition for candidates running for office; No coordination or […]

Tomorrow is Primary Day and we’re kicking off a blog series focused on the theme How 501c3 Nonprofits Can Engage in Elections. Today we’re highlighting the role of nonprofits in getting out the vote (GOTV), part 2 will cover Voter and Candidate Education, part 3 will dig into Issue Advocacy, and part 4 will focus […]

While 501(c)(3) nonprofits are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, that does not mean they have to stay out of elections all together. Nonprofits can engage in issue education and Get Out the Vote initiatives. This year is an especially important year for nonprofits to foster civic engagement and raise awareness about […]

Well, the time is here. If you haven’t taken advantage of Maine’s incredibly accessible early vote options, TOMORROW is the day you GET OUT YOUR VOTE! All across Maine and the country, voters will head to the polls and cast their ballots. It is critical that nonprofit employees, board members and volunteers turn out. Elected […]

In case you forgot, Tuesday, November 3rd is Election Day. With all the talk about 2016 and the seemingly endless presidential candidate news, it could be easy to overlook this “off-year” election. In fact, too many Mainers do just that. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap predicted that turnout this November could be as low as […]

Election season can be a time of heightened awareness of the issues your nonprofit works to improve everyday. How can nonprofits, who risk losing their exempt status if they cross the line into partisan politics, respond to proposals or statements without appearing to influence the upcoming election in any way? The Governor, one of our US Senators, both US […]