Next month, Americans will have an opportunity to cast their votes on where the country stands, where it is headed, and who should take us there. As such, the midterm election is a barometer of sorts: it is as much about unemployment and housing foreclosures as it is about political ideologies and back lash; it is as much about the defining issues of our time as it is about the health of American democracy.
It is no secret that voters are angry with their elected representatives. It does not help those in office that unemployment hovers around 9.6 percent or, as foreclosure rates climb, millions of people need help finding shelter at night. Even as you read this, more and more families are tumbling into poverty. Recent Census figures show that poverty in 2009 marked the highest increase since the government began calculating it half a century ago.
Voter anger is likely to be reflected not only in who we send to Washington and our state capitols, but what lawmakers think they have a mandate to do. The health care bill may find its way back on the table, along with the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and set to expire at year’s end. The massive deficit and the persistent sluggish economy are also expected to be key components of the agenda next year. How lawmakers tackle these issues will of course depend on who sits at the table and what messages they believe they are carrying from their states and districts.
When the final tally comes in from ballot boxes across the nation, the results will make quite a difference in people’s lives. The leaders who are elected will set in motion the priorities of the federal government, how states allocate taxpayer money, and how local officials support neighborhoods large and small – factors that directly and indirectly shape our organization’s ability to execute our missions and serve our communities.
Two other pressing reasons come to mind – budget deficits and redistricting – as to why it’s in our sector’s best interest to take to the polls this fall.
Searching for New Revenue Streams
We’ve all read about deep budget deficits at the state and local level. Such shortfalls have caused public officials to turn over every stone in an effort to replenish empty coffers and balance their state budgets, where required by law. The popular refrain of “no new taxes” is further adding to the pressure to find new streams of revenue. This pressure cooker will likely keep building as states continue to face budget crunches down the road. According to the Executive Director of the National Governors Association, “The bottom line is that states will not fully recover from this recession until late in [this] decade.”
The result: to replenish scarce resources, state and local officials may, among other actions, continue trying to impose new fees on nonprofits or eliminate our property tax exemptions – attempts we’ve seen in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kansas, Hawaii, and elsewhere.
Using the Leverage of Redistricting
Our Constitution mandates that each state must redraw congressional districts every ten years after the census. Some states do this via nonpartisan commissions. But in most states the boundaries of U.S. Congressional districts are determined by state legislatures in conjunction with the governors. That means the outcomes of state legislative races this fall could impact decisions at the federal level for the next decade.
Take Action
Our stakeholder networks consist of millions of voters -- people who connect with us, sometimes on a daily basis, about causes ‘near and dear’ to them. Perhaps it would be helpful to them for us to convene town hall meetings and invite them to discuss the issues that are on their minds. Our keen vigilance of the bright line we, 501(c)(3) organizations, must rightly heed regarding partisan political activity does not preclude us from encouraging all citizens to discuss the issues calmly and rationally. Indeed, it is our responsibly to channel anger into productive dialogue as a way to serve the common good.
If convening a town hall does not fit into your plans, attend one in your local community or join us at our annual conference in Atlanta Oct 20-22. Our opening plenary, “Democracy at a Crossroads,” will examine democracy in our country today and the dramatic challenges produced by ideological, societal, and political forces. We would be delighted to hear your thoughts on these issues.
What other activities might you consider prior to the elections? Why not meet with prospective candidates from all parties? Partner with other nonprofits to get out the vote? Organize a voter registration campaign in your neighborhood? You can use this handy map offered by one of our members, the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network, to find out when and how you can register in your state In addition, visit our website for other resources, such as election “do’s” and “don’ts.” Of course, you’ll want to abide by the legal parameters set forth by the IRS and your state government.
On November 2, please spread the word about getting to the voting booth. This is especially important since voter turn out at midterm elections is traditionally lower than during presidential election season. We must reverse this trend now. Join me in encouraging staff, volunteers, and the people we serve to cast their ballots on Election Day. Elections are a chance for our sector to amplify its voice within our communities on what elected officials can do to strengthen the social safety net and build a more vibrant society. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard.
