Humane USA Helps You Elect Pro Animal Candidates

HOW TO ELECT PRO-ANIMAL CANDIDATES

Humane USA works to make pro-animal voters an identifiable voting block in order to gain greater respect and attention from candidates. We can influence the outcome of elections and thus encourage more candidates to embrace our agenda. Politicians don't make decisions based entirely on who supports them financially. They understand that the humane community has historically spent its money on direct assistance to animals and not electioneering activities. Nevertheless, they do note and greatly appreciate when we put time and money into helping them win office. Our limited work in this area has already yielded remarkable results, and more activity will yield even greater dividends.

1. Can I get involved in the electioneering process?
   Yes, every individual has the right and the responsibility to help elect candidates that reflect his or her interests and concerns.
   
   
2. But what if I work at a non-profit humane society, shelter or for the government? Can I still be involved?
   You can still be involved - you just have to be involved as an individual, not an employee of the non-profit organization or the government.
   
   
3. Can I donate money to a candidate?
   Yes, every individual has a right to contribute to candidates. However, your contribution may have more impact if you donate to Humane USA instead of directly to a candidate because the candidate will know the money came from the animal protection camp.
   
   
4. Why?
   Humane USA accepts funds from dedicated animal activists and bundles them to candidates in such a way as to maximize the impact of the donation. The recipient is very much aware that he or she is being supported by animal activists.
   
   
5. How much can I donate?
   You may donate as much as $5,000 to a political action committee per year. A couple can donate $10,000 per year to Humane USA.
   
   
6. How else may I help elect animal friendly candidates?
   You can volunteer for a candidate's campaign after letting him or her know that you are supportive because of animal positions that have been taken. This work has even more impact if you gather other animal activists to work for the candidate as well. Be sure to let the campaign staff or the candidate know why you are volunteering.
   
   
7. Do I have to work with the candidate's campaign, or can I help him or her separately?
   You can do either. If the candidate needs people to stuff envelopes, make phone calls, distribute signs, etc., that is a legitimate effort on behalf of the candidate and your efforts will be greatly appreciated. Or, you can work directly for the candidate but separately from his or her campaign. This is considered an "independent" effort.
   
   
8. What type of efforts can be done independently?
   You can print material on the candidate's animal protection record, distributing it at tables located at public events such as fairs, sporting events or in front of pet stores, for example. You can write letters to the editor of various publications stating why you think the candidate is worthy of support. If you are truly involved in an independent effort, you cannot coordinate your activities with those of the candidate or the candidate's campaign staff and may have to report your activities to election authorities. In certain races, Humane USA runs independent activities and you could assist us.
   
   
9. How do I find out if a candidate is worthy of my support?
   If he or she is a current member of the U.S. Congress, look at his voting record in The Humane Society of the United States and The Fund for Animals annual scorecard. This publication lists votes, sponsorships of animal protection legislation, and other significant activities that will provide you with information on current members. Look at candidate position papers and see who has already endorsed him or her. When it comes to animal protection issues, political party affiliation does not serve to be a good indicator of sensibilities. Talk directly with a candidate or his staff on animal protection issues. Learn political speak - understand that a candidate who won't commit on an issue isn't necessarily opposed to your position. If the issue has never come up before and has not been a hot issue, candidates may be hesitant about taking a position. You can educate the candidate and secure a commitment on the issue.
   
   
10. But what if this is the first time this candidate has run for office? How can I find out where he or she stands?
    If the candidate is running for election to the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives, or the presidency, contact Humane USA to see if we have already received a response to our candidate questionnaire. We would appreciate it if you would contact the candidate, express interest in animal protection issues, and ask him or her to respond to our questionnaire. A copy of these questionnaires will soon be available on this web site.
    
    
11. What if the candidate is running for office at the local or state level?
    We suggest you research what animal issues are important and ask the candidate for his views on those issues. There is power in numbers. If you can bring together a few other people who would like to know this information, request a meeting with the candidate or the candidate's staff to discuss these matters. Or, find out where the candidate will be appearing in a public forum so that you may bring these matters to his or her attention. Note: Humane USA does not have the resources to be involved with the thousands of annual races at the local level but we encourage local activists to be involved in those races. We focus on state and federal races.
    
    
12. How do you research a candidate's past record on animal issues?
    Besides asking the candidate directly, do research on the Internet. Research animal protection legislative issues and cross reference that information with the candidate's name. Ask local shelters if the candidate has been involved with their work. If the individual has been on the city council, chances are animal protection issues have come before that body. Find out if the candidate has any pets as that can have an impact on his or her feelings on animals.
    
    
13. I'd like to do more. What else would a candidate appreciate?
    Once you know the candidate is clearly deserving of support, offer to host a fundraiser for him or her. Find several other people who will be part of a 'host' committee for the event. (Their names will appear on the invitation with yours.) This will entail your coordinating with the campaign staff to find a date when the candidate can attend your event. Then invite a sufficient number of people so that your event will raise a sizeable amount for the candidate. The event can be a casual outdoor event, a more formal buffet in the evening, or any combination of these two. Your goal is to raise funds for the candidate, let people have a chance to meet him or her, and allow the candidate to speak to your invited guests about his positions on several subjects, including animal protection.
    
    
14. How can I share information on a good candidate's record?
    Groups that need to know a candidate is animal friendly include humane society supporters, people with companion animals, and anyone else who wants a compassionate candidate elected to office. Consider sending a personal postcard and e-mail message from you to everyone you know right before election day urging them to support your candidate. However, it is important to understand that not every animal protection issue will help your candidate get elected. Know when to go public with an issue and when to be low key.
    
    
15. Can I get the local humane societies to donate to this campaign?
    No. Such donations from non-profit charitable groups are illegal. Individuals associated with humane groups can attend your fundraiser and donate, but they cannot use any funds or resources from the non-profit organization.
    
    
16. Do I have to report any of these efforts to a government entity?
    In some cases, yes. Often the candidate will require certain information such as the amount you spent as well as information on all the people who donated. In addition, you may be required to file a form with your state board of elections or even the Federal Elections Commission. This paperwork is not difficult to complete -- don't let it discourage you from this important work. For more information, contact Humane USA and be sure to talk with the candidate you are supporting.
    
    
17. I'd like to do much more to help elect candidates. How can I be more involved?
    Humane USA will be forming state chapters in all 50 states. If your state does not already have one of our chapters, contact us regarding the formation of one.
    
    
18. Why does Humane USA have state chapters?
    A state chapter allows a group of animal advocates interested in political work to focus on crucial elections within a state while serving as a part of a larger, national apparatus devoted to the same principles. State chapters allow Humane USA to become engaged in state elections and to forge closer relationships with candidates. Serving as a part of a national group allows a state chapter to focus its efforts primarily on electioneering and legislation instead of having to handle all of the administrative work alone and to reinvent organizational structure, written materials, and strategic thinking.
    
    
19. Who runs a state chapter?
    The state director(s) acts in a volunteer capacity. Each chapter is expected to have a steering committee composed of 5-10 individuals who have committed to raising a minimum amount of money per year. The chapter can have several advisors who assist in various ways with the work of Humane USA. This is a good way to get a variety of experienced people involved.
    
    
20. What are the goals of the state chapter?
    Goals include: fundraising, evaluating and endorsing candidates, donating money to candidates, organizing volunteers to work in important races, delivering votes, working with the media, engaging in independent expenditure campaigns for endorsed candidates, and working for enactment of pro-animal legislation. Assisting an endorsed candidate to win office entails writing letters, compiling candidate records or animal issues, managing tables to distribute candidate information, educating the public, securing media attention, recruiting volunteers, and organizing volunteers to work for a campaign.
    
    
21. How are funds raised by a state chapter handled?
    All funds raised by a state chapter are sent to the Humane USA treasurer for deposit in one of our central accounts. 100% off the funds raised by the chapter will be distributed to state and congressional candidates of that state, except in circumstances where there is mutual agreement to provide funds to other candidates. We raise money from supporters who recognize the movement's need to be closely involved in the electioneering process. By law, charitable humane organizations are not allowed to donate any funds to support Humane USA's electioneering activities. However, individuals can support our efforts as volunteers and donors.
    
    
22. How about state-wide initiatives or referenda?
    Can I be involved in those? Absolutely yes! Humane groups can lobby for and against these state wide efforts to place measures on a ballot. This is considered law making just as if the measure was being considered by a legislative body. (Lobbying limits must be adhered to, however.) Individual activists and humane groups can be extensively involved and we encourage you to do so.

Humane USA PAC
P.O. Box 19224
Washington, D.C. 20036
Email: humaneusa@humaneusa.org

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