AAUW North Carolina Report from SAR 2002

I. The Get Out the Vote (GOTV) workshop featured producing and distributing Voter Guides (VGs) in keeping with AAUW's tax status and policies and Federal guidelines.

AAUW's Voter Education Campaign is critical this year. Prior to November 5, educating women voters on issues at stake and a strong GOTV emphasis can affect whether future Congressional leaders will protect women's rights - such as health care, civil rights, equity in workplace and education, reproductive choice, Social Security, and others. NC will elect a US Senator for a six-year term and US Representatives from all disticts for two-year terms.

II. VGs provide nonpartisan information about candidate positions on AAUW issues. Templates, which should be requested immediately after the primary election, will be mailed about mid-August showing incumbent positions on priority issues. Branches then add *supports* or *opposes* by challengers positions based on research. AAUW fills in incumbents positions.

Branches requesting VGs are responsible for researching challenger positions. Research should begin early and conform to Legal Guidelines. It is very important to review and use these documents which are on AAUW's website <http://www.aauw.org/6000/vec.html>. See documents Legal Guidelines for Election Activities, Policy on Candidates for Office, Guidelines for Candidates for Public Office, and Policy on Use of Name and Logo.
Contact Ellen Buchman (202-785-7704 or buchmane@aauw.org) if you have questions about policies or voter education activities.

Candidate positions shown on VGs must be based on sources of information that are in the public domain, according to Federal Election Commission. AAUW does *not* recommend use of questionnaires.

III. Distribution of Voter Guides in important. Work in coalition with organizations to distribute VGs in public places to reach women who otherwise are unlikely to get such information--child care centers, community centers, college campuses, work places, other public locations. Post your VGs on your branch or state website or advertise it on your e-mail list. If budget allows, send some by US Postal Service.

Working in coalition with other nonprofit groups [50l(c)(3) and 50l(c)(4)] is subject to legal rules; See website address above.

The only organizations that can legally participate in voter guide and GOTV activities are 50l(c)(4) organizations that, like AAUW, do *not* coordinate with candidates, PAcs, or political parties.

AAUW can plan candidate or issue forums with organizations that have 50l(c)(3) or 50l(c)(4) tax status.

Last updated: 21-Jun-2002
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