#DANCE2VOTE Campaign
Why Voting Matters
& How Dance Organizations Can Organize
In Relation to Upcoming Elections
Dance/USA is helping the dance community advocate for dance.
Here’s everything you need.
Last Updated: 4/13/26
Introduction: Why #DANCE2VOTE | Voter Registration | Rules For Nonprofits
Key Issues | Quick Advocacy Action Ideas | Further Resources
Why Artist Participation Matters in Every Election Cycle
Voting is the beginning and end of the cycle for arts advocacy. Decisions on election day determine how politicians approach the issues that impact our sector. Elected officials need to know what is happening in their communities to make informed decisions. This knowledge shapes the legislation they consider on Capitol Hill to support businesses, non-profit organizations, creative workers, and gig workers. While it is not the only lever of advocacy, voting is one of the most consequential.
Beyond the ballot box, dance artists and organizations should also consider how they are building relationships with candidates and elected officials at all levels of government (hyper-local and national) and how they can best advocate for dance and artists based on current needs.
Advocacy messaging should focus on the needs of artists and the creative economy as well as the impact of the arts on the community. For example:
- Contributions to the national, state, and local economies
- Current number of jobs in the arts
- Funding for new works
- Impact of arts programming
- A robust social safety net, including universal healthcare, SNAP benefits, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), shelter housing, and other public assistance
An Arts Voting Success Story:
On November 8, 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The measure required the state to establish a new, ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023–24.
For Individuals: Your Voting Guide
These are the general steps that most people will need to take in order to vote, and their associated deadlines.
Important: Making a concrete plan removes logistical barriers, creates accountability, gives you time to research candidates, and dramatically increases the odds you’ll actually vote.
Register to Vote / Check Your Registration Status
The US Vote Foundation allows you to check your voter registration in each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories.
Click on the state or territory to be redirected to your state’s voter lookup page.
State election websites also provide polling place locators and voter ID requirements (i.e. current driver’s license or state-issued ID).
If you Aren’t Registered to Vote
Every American who can vote should register to vote. If you are in the 50 states and Washington D.C., you can register to vote using the tool linked below. It is important to register as soon as possible to ensure that you have all of the information you need to vote early or on Election Day.
Check Election Dates and Deadlines
The U.S. Vote Foundation lists:
- voter registration deadlines
- absentee/vote-by-mail ballot request deadlines
- deadlines for voting in the federal election for each of the 50 states, Washington, DC and the U.S. territories.
Click on your state or territory, then select an election to find out how to register and/or register with your secretary of state.
Requesting an Absentee Ballet / Voting By Mail
If you need to vote by mail, Dance/USA encourages you to request your ballot as early as possible, complete it as early as possible, and return it as early as possible to ensure they are received by the local election office in a timely manner—by November 5, if not earlier.
For each election, be sure to check:
- The deadline to apply for or request an absentee ballot
- The deadline when the ballot needs to be returned (and if that date is when it needs to be postmarked or if when it needs to be received)
Early Voting
Many states offer early in-person voting in the weeks leading up to election day. Check your state’s early voting window and locations. You should vote as early as possible to ensure there are no last minute logistical problems preventing you from voting.
Election Reminders
Once you are registered to vote, sign up to receive election reminders via text!
This tool will send you text messages reminding you of important election dates in your district. This can be a great way of ensuring that you never miss another election.
For 501(c)3 Organizations: A Guide to Nonpartisanship
It is important to note the Internal Revenue Code that governs section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations concerning elections.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, 501(c)(3) organizations are “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Any contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.”
In other words, 501(c)3 organizations cannot ask people to vote for specific candidates and they cannot donate funds to political candidates or political campaigns.
What Can Nonprofits Do?
- Encourage people to participate in the election process, including voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, in a non-partisan way and without bias towards a certain candidate(s) or political party.
- Contact candidates and parties in an election, both to seek their views on issues and to communicate the organization’s views.
- Take public positions on local referenda, ballot initiatives, propositions, tax levies, etc., provided they do not cross the line into party or candidate endorsement.
Individuals working within 501(c)3 organizations CAN get involved in elections as much as they want. However, individuals are not allowed to associate themselves with their organization in any way regarding their political activities.
Key Policy Issues
Dance artists, dance professionals, and all arts supporters should engage candidates from all political parties about issues impacting the arts.
There will be numerous opportunities to engage, including but not limited to: candidate forums, debates, social media chats, and town halls.
NonprofitVOTE.org has a wealth of information about effectively engaging political candidates.
Below are a listing of major issues impacting the dance community and the arts sector.
Key Policy Issues
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Promoting Creativity and Public Access to the Arts
- Improving the Visa Process for Foreign Guest Artists
- Reinforcing Arts Education – Helping Children Achieve in School, Work, and Life
Additional Policy Issues
- Supporting Student
- Success in School and the Workforce
Arts and Health
Quick Advocacy Action Ideas
Remember, your advocacy for dance is an ongoing commitment, even when there’s no upcoming election.
When you have 15 minutes:
â–ˇ Email your representative about current arts issues
â–ˇ Share another advocacy organization’s post on social media
â–ˇ Sign up for advocacy alerts
â–ˇ Read about one policy issue affecting dance right now
When you have 1 hour:
â–ˇ Attend a virtual city council meeting
â–ˇ Research your representatives’ voting records
â–ˇ Call your representative’s office
â–ˇ Meet with a potential ally
When you have 3+ hours:
â–ˇ Attend an in-person meeting or event
â–ˇ Organize a group of colleagues around an issue
â–ˇ Prepare testimony for a public hearing
â–ˇ Plan a coalition meeting
Engaging your Audiences in Arts Advocacy
The Lobby Project — Theatre Communications Group’s guide to hosting get-out-the-vote events during performances
Headcount — Runs voter registration drives at concerts and cultural events, translating the power of music and culture into civic action
Dance/USA offers government affairs and advocacy insights to help our members with their advocacy efforts, including scheduling meetings, prepping members for their meetings, providing policy information and talking points.
Want to advocate for dance beyond the ballot box?
Download our Dance Advocacy Toolkit!
Transform knowledge into action with this professionally designed resource by Dance/USA.
What’s Included:
- Advocacy Resource Listing – Find arts advocacy groups to follow and get involved with
- Government Contact Templates – Letter/email formats and phone call scripts for maximum impact
- Power Mapping Workbook – Step-by-step templates to analyze any dance organization
- Legal Rights Reference Guide – Know your protections as a dance professional
- Advocacy Action Planner – Monthly planner for sustained advocacy efforts
- Bonus: Access to our regular Advocacy Alerts featuring timely calls to action, and real case studies and guest experts
Advocacy assistance and general inquiries can be directed to Bertrand Evans-Taylor, Director of Government Affairs — advocacy@nulldanceusa.org.