Post-Election Advocacy Actions

Last week, newly elected members of the Maine legislature were sworn in and the 132nd session of the legislature officially began. Right now you have a unique opportunity to strengthen your relationship with legislators and elevate the voice of your nonprofit at the State House.

"The period between an election and the swearing-in of newly elected officials is a crucial but often overlooked window of opportunity for nonprofit advocates. This fact sheet, Preparing for Change: How Nonprofits Can Shape Policy by Engaging Transition Teams, reveals the significance of this transitional phase, where campaign promises are molded into legislative plans." - Bolder Advocacy

The Context

After the November election, the political dynamics in Maine's state government remain essentially the same as the past two years, while the federal government will see a shift in party control.

In Maine, Democrats will continue to hold narrow majorities in the Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives, and will not have enough votes to override Governor Mills’ vetoes of any major legislation that does not have bipartisan support. When a single party controls the House, Senate, and the Blaine House, it's called a "trifecta." In Washington DC, it will be the Republican party who holds a narrow trifecta, as the Republicans maintain control of the House, and gain control of the Senate and the White House.

For nonprofits, there is opportunity for advocacy engagement at every level.

• As federal funding recedes, Maine’s state and local governments will probably have a significant revenue shortfall next year, and it is unlikely that legislators will make significant tax code changes to make up for this revenue. That could lead policymakers to consider new taxes on nonprofits. It also could force legislators and/or state agencies to make spending cuts, including cuts to state grants to nonprofits and state investment in critical safety net programs.
• Nonprofits could find success advocating for policy solutions that have bipartisan support. It is likely that legislative leadership will look to work across party lines on some substantive issues that would benefit Maine’s communities.

December Action: Introduce Yourself to Elected Officials

If you take just one action this month, try building relationships for the coming years! Before the flurry of bill submission and the wrangling over the budget begins in earnest, take the time to reach out and introduce yourself and your nonprofit. (You can even check out our candidate questionnaires to see if your representatives responded.) We cannot overstate the importance of relationship-building in advocacy and public policy work. Connecting with your local legislators now is a great way to strengthen those relationships.

Contact List: Maine House of Representatives    Contact List: Maine Senate

Nonprofits are uniquely qualified to serve as a resource to our elected officials. We are in every corner of this state and are essential community infrastructure. Through our daily contact with clients, staff, volunteers, board members, and other community leaders, nonprofits have a direct line to the stories our elected officials need to hear to make effective policy decisions.

Beyond the Call: 4 More Action Ideas

A phone call is just the beginning of your advocacy work. There are many ways for nonprofits to engage in advocacy. The key is understanding the rules governing your participation and becoming confident in your ability to advocate effectively. While all lobbying is part of your advocacy work, not all advocacy is lobbying! For a more detailed look at the laws surrounding nonprofit lobbying, check out the Practical Guidance: What Nonprofits Need to Know about Lobbying in Maine from Bolder Advocacy.

Aside from the impact on specific policy proposals, there are four important action steps that nonprofits can take:

1. Attend our event on Friday, 12/13 "132nd Legislative Session: Preparing Your Organization" to connect with other nonprofits, philanthropies, and policy makers. (Just a few spaces left!)
2. Next year will provide an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to focus on policy initiatives at the state and local level. For many nonprofits, the decisions made by state and local elected officials–such as investment in affordable housing, transportation priorities, protection of local waterways, or arts funding–have a big impact on their organization’s work and their communities.
3. This fall’s election showed the power of nonprofits’ nonpartisan voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote work. Hopefully some organizations even utilized our new Nonprofit + Funder Voter Engagement Guide. Even if the individual races didn’t turn out the way you would have liked, you should celebrate this high level of civic engagement as a tremendous victory for our democracy – and one that nonprofits played a significant role in achieving!
4. Stand for your mission. Every nonprofit should find ways to advocate for its mission. As elected officials, the media, and everyday Mainers turn their attention away from the election in the coming days, weeks, and months, there will be a great opening for nonprofits to begin to share stories about the important work they are doing every day and the ways that decision-makers can help their organizations make an even bigger difference in their communities.

Let us know how your outreach goes, and look out for more resources from MANP in the coming months to help your nonprofit get started in advocating for your mission, or strengthen your existing advocacy work!