Can a Nonprofit Provide Incentives to Encourage Citizens to Register to Vote or Vote?

Nonprofit organizations are permitted to conduct voter registration drives or get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. 501(c)(3) organizations can conduct nonpartisan voter registration and GOTV activities that encourage voting by all those eligible, while 501(c)(4)s, labor unions, and trade associations can sponsor voter registration and GOTV drives that can advocate the election or defeat of particular candidates.

This factsheet answers a frequently asked question about voter registration and GOTV drives, whether conducted by a c3, c4, or any other entity.