PRESS RELEASE
-For Immediate Release-
August 3, 2007

Contact: Brian Gumm, (202) 234-8494, bgumm@ombwatch.org

OMB Watch Unveils New Report on Nonprofits and Elections
Nonprofits are Key to Helping America Vote

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2007—OMB Watch today released a new report on the role of nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations in elections. How Nonprofits Helped America Vote: 2006 clearly illustrates that the work of nonprofits is critical in increasing civic participation throughout the country and fostering vibrant, engaged communities. The report focuses solely on so-called 501(c)(3) organizations and does not cover the activities of special interest associations or 527 political committees.

Though 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from taking sides in elections, they are allowed educate voters, register people to vote and work to increase voter turnout. The report describes nonprofits' electoral engagement during the 2006 election season and the groups' preparations for upcoming elections. The publication highlights how the nonpartisan groups are defending voters' rights against suppression and intimidation, and it includes an analysis of new voter ID requirements and attempts to limit voter registration drives. The report also describes how nonprofits are working to protect the integrity of our elections and surveys voter engagement and mobilization efforts.

How Nonprofits Helped America Vote: 2006 closes by providing nonprofits with key resources to help groups stay active in protecting and promoting the right of Americans to vote, in 2008 and beyond.

The report is available online at /files/npadv/PDF/nphelpedamericavote2006.pdf.

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