Guidelines for Knights of Columbus Voter Registration Program

Voter Registration Drive 2013

This non-partisan Voter Registration Drive is a effort of the NJ State Council of the

Knights of Columbus.

Your Role

• Knights are first and foremost Catholic citizens who are members of their communities and constituents of their elected officials.

• As a citizen, your most effective petition to an elected official is as an individual voter.

• As a Knight, you must exemplify your patriotic duty through the practice of charity and unity.

Voter Registration Drive 2013

This year there will be two Elections• Special Election October 16, 2013 (Senate

Seat) Reg. by 9/25/2013• General Election November 5, 2013

(Governor) Reg. by 10/15/2013• Must be registered 21 days before the election

to participate.

Duties of Knights as Faithful Citizens

• To become active and informed participants in the political life of your local community.

• To register to vote and encourage others to register to vote.

• To initiate and participate in robust “get out the vote” efforts to bring voters to the polls in all primary, general, and special elections.

Duties of Knights as Faithful Citizens

• Brother Knights are allowed to, on their own time and without any K of C-branded merchandise, participate in efforts that support a certain candidate or stance on a ballot measure.

• However, when a Brother Knight joins together with his other Brothers in a council or assembly activity, they MAY NOT advocate for a particular candidate or ballot measure.

• Remember the Third Degree: partisan politics are not allowed in the Order or in any of its council chambers!

Forbidden Activities of Knights as Faithful Citizens

• Engaging in activity, in the name of the Knights of Columbus, that seeks to endorse or oppose a candidate or party in a campaign for public office.

• Making political statements, in the name of the Knights of Columbus, that seek to endorse or oppose a candidate or party in a campaign for public office.

Forbidden Items for Voter Registration Drives

• Any material that advocates the victory or defeat of a candidate for political office or the victory or defeat of a ballot measure or referendum (i.e. bumper stickers, posters, web videos, etc.)

• Any clothing, when on display or worn by volunteers, that advocates the victory or defeat of a candidate for political office or the victory or defeat of a ballot measure or referendum (i.e. shirt, ball cap, sticker, pin, etc.)

A Model Voter Registration Program

• A council based in Freehold gains the permission of their pastor to setup a table outside, after Mass, with information on how qualified citizens can register to vote. At the table, they also have information on how to get to the polls and a sign up for parishioners who may need a Knight to help them to the polls on Election Day.

• When parishioners approach the table, Knights ask if they are registered to vote. If not, they ask if they would like to register and provide the form.

• Brother Knights working the table also check to make sure that parishioners know where their polling place is located and let them sign up for rides to the polls if they need help on Election Day.

Preliminary Activities

• Get in touch with the pastor–Receive his permission for the drive–Discuss dates (preferably in September)

and table placement with him, along with your responsibilities–Receive his permission to hang flyers

Preliminary Activities• Place posters at strategic locations inside the

church• Assemble materials including:– Ballpoints pens– Clipboards–Voter registration forms–Absentee ballot applications–A sign up sheet for those who may need help

getting to the polls on November 5– Several large manila envelopes that can be

clasped shut to protect private information once forms are filled out.

Preliminary Activities

• Smooth out logistics–Secure an adequate number of tables

that will fit 3 to 6 people each and at least one volunteer per table.–Decide on a location. Outside is preferred–Review logistics with pastor after you

have collected materials

Preliminary Activities–Get in touch with volunteers • Collect name and contact information of

those who will monitor the tables after each Mass on the designated weekend.• Set a schedule for each Mass & review

responsibilities with them, stressing the need to remain non-partisan throughout the process.

Voter Registration Weekend• Important Reminders–The drive may not show bias for any

party, candidate, issue or voting position

–No partisan or campaign materials may be distributed, nor should they be in the vicinity of the voter registration tables– If you do not feel you can abide by these

rules, please contact your GK so another volunteer can be appointed.

Voter Registration Weekend

–Keep the objective of the weekend neutral and civic-minded–The goal is to help fellow Catholics

exercise their duty and privilege to vote.

–Volunteers must not discuss issues or candidates during their service time

Voter Registration Weekend

• Remind celebrant to make pulpit announcement

• Greet parishioners as they leave church and invite them to register to vote

• Offer parishioners the chance to sign up for a ride if they think they will need help getting to the polls on Oct. 16 or Nov. 5.

Voter Registration Weekend• Check each voter registration form for essential

information. If possible, follow up with those who have filled out an incomplete form.

• Place completed forms into a sealed envelope so that personal information is not compromised.

• After the last Mass, remove registration posters and replace with vote posters

• Keep the sign up sheet of those who need transportation.

Duties• Each applicant has the option of returning the

registration form to the Board of Elections in person or by mail, or they can give it back to you to return (preferred).

• Inform the applicant that (s)he isn’t registered until (s)he receives a Voter Registration Card in the mail. If this is not received in 3 weeks, (s)he should call the BOE.

Follow Up• Package completed forms in Priority Mail envelope

• Address envelope to county board of elections. Mail or deliver as soon as possible

• Complete State reporting form and return to the State Chairman, John Amato, 7 Starwinds Court, Lakewood 08701.

• In late October, contact those who requested help with transportation on Election Day and coordinate transportation.

The Form • To register to vote in New Jersey, the parishioner must be:

– A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

– A resident of New Jersey and the election district in which (s)he wants to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

– At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• Once one has registered to vote, one is not required to register again unless a change in residence, name, or political party affiliation occurs.

• You can get more information and instructions on how to complete the forms at:

• www.njelections.org.

Voter Registration Application

• If you have questions on Voter Registration procedures contact the Voter Registration Chairman John Amato or the Director Joe Olivo

• John.Amato@njkofc.org• Joseph.Olivo@njkofc.org