The Art of Advocacy
Election Strategies for
Advocates
February 4th
Election Strategies for Advocates
“….an election is no time
to discuss important
issues”*
* Attributed to Kim Campbell (1993 Election)
2
Remember…..
Elections are one of the few times
in the ongoing politician/citizen
relationship when they need you
more than you need them!!!!
3
Important Dates…
1. Municipal Elections (Ontario) – October
2014
2. Ontario Election (Provincial) – Defeat of a
Confidence Motion
3. Federal Election: October 2015 to May 2016
4
Election Strategies for Advocates
Understand the Process:
•
•
•
•
Participation Rules (CRA/Employer)
Filing dates
Contribution Limits
Public Debates/Town halls/Radio Call-Ins
5
Election Strategies for Advocates
A charity may make the public aware of its position on an issue
provided:
• iƒt does not explicitly connect its views to any political
party or candidate for public office
• ƒthe issue is connected to its purpose
• its views are based on a well-reasoned position
• ƒ
public awareness campaigns do not become the charity’s
primary activity
See Customs and Revenue Act (CRA) for guidelines for Registered Charity Advocacy
6
Election Arithmetic….
What level of support do you need from a voting
age population of 10,000 to win an election?
Provincial
(49.2%) - 30/30/5 = 1500
Municipal (39%)
Federal (61%)
7
Define What Success Looks Like…
Influence Debate
Affect Outcome
<
<
<
%
>
8
Election Strategies for Advocates
• Define you “ask” and build consensus
• Prepare fact sheets
• Develop Key Messages (Common Song
Sheets)
• Implement Intervention strategy(s)
• Mitigate Pushback
9
Election Strategies for Advocates
Know the history (Landscape) of the
constituency and who is running
(Players)
+
10
Election Strategies for Advocates
Know the Issues:
1. Economic
2. Social
3. Environmental
Understand the Constraints:
a) No Money
b) Aversion to Tax Increases
For next election cycle, More for Less will be a
resonating theme!!!
11
Election Strategies for Advocates
Think like a Politician…
•
•
•
•
•
Money
Many
Issue Briefings
Photo-Ops
Events (RECOGNIZE Them!!!!)
Monitor Websites to get Schedule Information
12
Election Strategies for Advocates
Use Earned Media:
•
•
•
•
Letters to the Editor
Opinion Pieces (Credibility)
Event Coverage
Social Media
13
Dealing with Candidates
Always identify yourself in a clear and
detailed manner.
Politicians are trained to act like they know,
and remember, everyone. Take the time up
front to tell them who you are, what you do,
etc.!
14
Dealing with Candidates
State a CLEAR objective.
If I tell you that I definitely want to be helpful,
I am really not being all that helpful!
15
Dealing with Candidates
NEVER talk in antagonistic tones.
Everybody in politics is convinced that they
are doing the right things for the right reasons!
16
Dealing with Candidates
Try to describe your issue in a comprehensive
way.
Issues that are “black & white” from your
perspective, may be “grey” from the politician’s
perspective. They will always anticipate the
“push back”!
17
Dealing with Candidates
Refer to bill numbers, clause paragraph
references or unfamiliar acronyms
A politician will rarely admit that they don’t
know something!
18
Dealing with Candidates
Give them “not completely correct
information”.
Public policy is about finding balance points,
the easy decisions have been made!
19
Election Strategies for Advocates
Evaluate your strategy on an ongoing basis,
adjust to unforeseen threats and be prepared to
exploit unexpected opportunities.
The “Ballot Box Question” is rarely known until
the last quarter of a campaign!
20
To Conclude…
Contrary to the old English Idiom…
21