Nonprofits and Civic Engagement

October 01, 2026 • By: MNA, Montana Nonprofit Association

Participation in Election and Voter Engagement Activities

Montana nonprofits play a pivotal role in building a more inclusive democracy. Nonprofits have the constitutional right and responsibility to engage in electoral and policymaking processes. As long as nonprofits remain nonpartisan, they can talk about the importance of elections, educate voters on when and where to vote, engage in voter registration, communicate election reminders, host candidate forums, and more.  

Nonpartisan does not mean non-participatory.

People engaged by nonprofits are more likely to vote than comparable voters. The boost in turnout is greatest among voters otherwise underrepresented in our democracy, including people of color, people living on low incomes, and voters ages 18-24. (Nonprofit VOTE Power Report) 

New Resources from MNA

Montana Nonprofit Nonpartisan Voter Engagement Guide: Co-developed with Nonprofit VOTE, the Voter Engagement Guide provides a roadmap for how charitable nonprofits can effectively engage in elections, leverage your networks for greater impact, and build relationships with elected officials.

2026 Nonprofit Voter Guide: Includes statewide candidates’ views of the nonprofit sector and the impacts of proposed ballot initiatives to nonprofits in Montana.

What your organization can do to encourage participation in our democracy:

1

Voter Registration

Share this online voter registration portal with the people you serve, your staff, or other partners! While Montana does not have online voter registration, this tool makes registering to vote easy. **Online portal closes one month before election (*Note that this portal is organized by several Montana organizations and is not affiliated with the Montana Secretary of State or any County Election Office.) 

Host the League of Women Voters to conduct voter registration for your organization. Non-partisan volunteers can help register eligible Montanans to vote by coming to your organization or sponsored event. Please contact Rebecca Johnson to set up a date and time. Volunteers help register folks to vote, check voter registration status, and provide non-partisan voting materials. 

2

Encourage & remind people to vote 

Commit your nonprofit to being a Nonprofit Staff Vote partner. This campaign encourages nonprofit employers to offer employees paid time off to vote on or before Election Day. Signing up as a partner also gives you access to tools to integrate voter engagement into your nonprofit’s ongoing programs and services while remaining nonpartisan.  

Share www.voteinmt.org and other voter resources in your communications to encourage people to confirm their voter registration status, find their polling place, and answer any questions they may have about voting in Montana. Include reminders and information on voting in your newsletters, website, social media, or other communications in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

3

Talk to Candidates 

Invite candidates to visit your nonprofit and learn about your work. Candidates want to engage with the communities they are running to represent. Invite them to your organization for a tour and conversation. Review guidelines for engaging in a nonpartisan manner. Invite each of the candidates running for a particular office and avoid any language or statements that could be construed as endorsing a particular candidate.

Want to learn more?  

For more information regarding MNA’s election and voter engagement activities, please contact Policy Director Lorianne Burhop or call (406) 449-3717.

Voter Engagement Guide – Montana