Through the VoteLibraries initiative, the EveryLibrary Institute has partnered with Nonprofit Vote to create a new Voter Engagement Guide, "Empowering Library-Related 501(c)3 Nonprofits to Strengthen Democracy," that is designed to assist library-affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations such as Friends of Libraries, Foundations, state library associations, and other nonprofit entities in actively and effectively participating in voter engagement and voter education while maintaining strict adherence to nonpartisan principles.
The Guide is intended to help harness the unique position of library-centric nonprofit organizations in fostering an informed and engaged electorate. Libraries have long been trusted community hubs, providing access to information and resources that support lifelong learning and civic participation. However, the non-profit organizations and associations that support them and the library workforce need accurate and timely guidance to confidently navigate the complexities of voter education and voter engagement in today's political landscape.
Aims and Goals of the Voter Engagement Guide
The Voter Engagement Guide "Empowering Library-Related 501(c)3 Nonprofits to Strengthen Democracy" serves as a comprehensive toolkit for nonprofit organizations looking to:
- Promote voter registration and participation by equipping local and statewide library-related non-profits with the strategies and tools needed to facilitate voter registration drives, educate members and the public about the voting processes, and encourage participation in elections.
- Ensure nonpartisan best practices by providing clear guidelines on maintaining nonpartisanship in all voter engagement activities and ensuring compliance with IRS regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Enhance community outreach and strengthen the democratic processes by empowering non-profit and association leaders with good information about informing and mobilizing voters.
Key Components of the Guide
The 2026 Voter Engagement Guide is crafted by Nonprofit Vote in collaboration with VoteLibraries from the EveryLibrary Institute to address the multifaceted aspects of voter engagement. Here’s what you can expect:
-
Rules of Nonpartisanship: Clear explanations of what constitutes nonpartisan activities, including what is permissible and what should be avoided to maintain compliance with federal laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations.
-
Strategic Planning: Step-by-step guidance on developing a voter engagement plan tailored to your organization’s resources, audience, and community needs. This includes setting goals, identifying target demographics, and allocating resources effectively.
-
Practical Tools and Resources: Ready-to-use templates, sample emails, scripts for phone and text banking, and promotional materials that make it easier for your organization to implement voter engagement initiatives.
-
Candidate Engagement: Best practices for hosting nonpartisan candidate forums, creating balanced candidate questionnaires, and managing interactions with candidates to ensure fair and unbiased representation.
-
Voter Registration Drives: Comprehensive strategies for organizing successful voter registration events, both in-person and digitally, including tips on reaching underserved populations and utilizing technology to streamline the registration process.
-
Compliance and Reporting: Information on navigating IRS regulations, understanding lobbying limits, and ensuring all voter engagement activities are properly documented and reported.
- Case Studies and Success Stories: Real-world examples of how other libraries and nonprofits have effectively engaged voters, providing inspiration and practical insights that can be adapted to your own initiatives.
Simply fill out the form on this page to receive the Empowering your organization with the right knowledge and tools is essential for making a meaningful impact in your community. We invite all library-affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations, associations, and nonprofit partners to download the guide today. Together, we can create a more engaged and informed electorate, ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts.
Sign Up to Download the Guide
Through the VoteLibraries initiative, the EveryLibrary Institute has partnered with Nonprofit Vote to create a new Voter Engagement Guide, "Empowering Library-Related 501(c)3 Nonprofits to Strengthen Democracy," that is designed to assist library-affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations such as Friends of Libraries, Foundations, state library associations, and other nonprofit entities in actively and effectively participating in voter engagement and voter education while maintaining strict adherence to nonpartisan principles.
The Guide is intended to help harness the unique position of library-centric nonprofit organizations in fostering an informed and engaged electorate. Libraries have long been trusted community hubs, providing access to information and resources that support lifelong learning and civic participation. However, the non-profit organizations and associations that support them and the library workforce need accurate and timely guidance to confidently navigate the complexities of voter education and voter engagement in today's political landscape.
Aims and Goals of the Voter Engagement Guide
The Voter Engagement Guide "Empowering Library-Related 501(c)3 Nonprofits to Strengthen Democracy" serves as a comprehensive toolkit for nonprofit organizations looking to:
- Promote voter registration and participation by equipping local and statewide library-related non-profits with the strategies and tools needed to facilitate voter registration drives, educate members and the public about the voting processes, and encourage participation in elections.
- Ensure nonpartisan best practices by providing clear guidelines on maintaining nonpartisanship in all voter engagement activities and ensuring compliance with IRS regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Enhance community outreach and strengthen the democratic processes by empowering non-profit and association leaders with good information about informing and mobilizing voters.
Key Components of the Guide
The 2026 Voter Engagement Guide is crafted by Nonprofit Vote in collaboration with VoteLibraries from the EveryLibrary Institute to address the multifaceted aspects of voter engagement. Here’s what you can expect:
-
Rules of Nonpartisanship: Clear explanations of what constitutes nonpartisan activities, including what is permissible and what should be avoided to maintain compliance with federal laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations.
-
Strategic Planning: Step-by-step guidance on developing a voter engagement plan tailored to your organization’s resources, audience, and community needs. This includes setting goals, identifying target demographics, and allocating resources effectively.
-
Practical Tools and Resources: Ready-to-use templates, sample emails, scripts for phone and text banking, and promotional materials that make it easier for your organization to implement voter engagement initiatives.
-
Candidate Engagement: Best practices for hosting nonpartisan candidate forums, creating balanced candidate questionnaires, and managing interactions with candidates to ensure fair and unbiased representation.
-
Voter Registration Drives: Comprehensive strategies for organizing successful voter registration events, both in-person and digitally, including tips on reaching underserved populations and utilizing technology to streamline the registration process.
-
Compliance and Reporting: Information on navigating IRS regulations, understanding lobbying limits, and ensuring all voter engagement activities are properly documented and reported.
- Case Studies and Success Stories: Real-world examples of how other libraries and nonprofits have effectively engaged voters, providing inspiration and practical insights that can be adapted to your own initiatives.
Simply fill out the form on this page to receive the Empowering your organization with the right knowledge and tools is essential for making a meaningful impact in your community. We invite all library-affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations, associations, and nonprofit partners to download the guide today. Together, we can create a more engaged and informed electorate, ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts.