Achieving social sector outcomes in Election Season
We explore key strategies and actions that organisations can take to manage multiple elections in quick succession and maximise their impact.
By Neil Pharaoh and Rory Parker
Voters across Australia have already been subjected to a number of Elections over the past few months—including elections in Queensland, NT, and the ACT—but there’s still more on the way, with the Western Australian Election in March 2025 and the upcoming Federal Election all but confirmed for May 2025. While you may be tired of the queues, campaign signs, and democracy sausages, there’s still a lot of opportunity to be gained from the changes we’ve already had (as well as those to come…).
By planning strategically, advocating effectively, and proactively engaging with stakeholders of all political persuasions, social sector organisations have a strong opportunity to get policy and funding outcomes over the line and expand their impact with government.
In this article, we will explore key strategies and actions that organisations can take to manage multiple elections in quick succession and maximise their impact.
Understand the Political Landscape
The first step in managing multiple elections is to understand the political landscape in each jurisdiction. Familiarise yourself with key issues, party platforms, and candidate’s positions on relevant topics.
Conduct research, monitor media coverage, and engage with political analysts to gain insights into the political dynamics and potential policy changes post-election. Recognise that State & Federal politics often cross over, factions, influences and stakeholders will work and operate in both, and issues can become muddled – often deliberately to score points or secure a win.
The changes we’ve already seen (like with new government’s in QLD and the NT), will influence how the Federal Election will play out—so keep an eye out for how governments interact and work together.
Develop a Targeted Advocacy Agenda
Based on your understanding of the political landscape, develop a targeted advocacy agenda that aligns with your organisation’s mission, goals, and priorities. Once you have this advocacy agenda, align it with the policies of the governing parties and see where any gaps or cross over exists.
Identify key policy areas where your organisation can make a meaningful impact and advocate for positive change. Prioritise issues that resonate with voters and policymakers across different electoral jurisdictions. Pay attention to surveys and polling results as to what issues are topical or vote changers and see how they align to your agenda.
Elections are the prime season for securing funding or policy commitments, so it’s important to be ambitious—but keep in mind, you only get out what you put in: bigger asks require bigger advocacy campaigns.
Engage with Candidates and Parties
Proactively engage with candidates and political parties to raise awareness of your organisation’s advocacy agenda and priorities. Don’t assume that just because the polls predict an outcome that that’s what will happen on Election Day—plenty of elections have been lost or won in the final week. Engage with both sides: if you get a commitment from one party, try to have the other party match it (or beat it!).
Attend candidate forums, debates, and campaign events to establish relationships and advocate for policy solutions. Seek opportunities to brief candidates and party representatives on key issues and solicit their support for your organisation’s initiatives.
Remember that mapping timelines are key, the final few weeks are always on voter contact, so you need to wind back to when candidates are first announced and plan your timelines from there.
Mobilise Stakeholders and Supporters
Mobilise your stakeholders, supporters, and community members to participate actively in the electoral process. Encourage voter registration, provide information about candidates and policies – letters to the editors, comments on street stalls, all can assist in shaping priorities for an election and for an area.
Leverage social media, digital campaigns, and grassroots organising to amplify your advocacy efforts and reach a wider audience.
Candidates and MPs want their commitments to be heard, so it’s important to demonstrate that your organisation has a platform.
Collaborate with Partners
Collaborate with other non-profits, advocacy groups, and community organisations to amplify your collective voice and impact. Form strategic partnerships, join coalitions, and coordinate advocacy campaigns to advocate for shared goals and priorities.
Pooling resources, expertise, and networks strengthens your advocacy efforts and increases your influence on policy decisions.
Monitor and Evaluate Impact
Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of your advocacy efforts during the election period. Track policy developments, legislative changes, and candidate’s positions on key issues. Assess the effectiveness of your advocacy strategies, messaging, and engagement activities. Collect feedback from stakeholders and supporters to inform future advocacy efforts.
Prepare for Post-Election Engagement
Plan ahead for post-election engagement regardless of the election outcomes. Develop strategies to engage with newly elected officials, policymakers, and government agencies. Advocate for the implementation of policy priorities, monitor progress, and hold elected representatives accountable for their commitments.
Maintain ongoing dialogue and relationships with decision-makers to sustain momentum and drive change.
Where there’s already been elections, has your organisation written to all successful (and unsuccessful!) candidates to recognise their campaign? Governments set the scene for their term in the first 100 Days, so your organisation needs to be ready to help shape what that looks like.
Stay Informed and Flexible
Stay informed about election updates, political developments, and policy changes throughout the electoral period. Be flexible and adaptable in your advocacy strategies based on evolving circumstances and outcomes. Adjust your approach, messaging, and priorities as needed to effectively navigate changing political landscapes and seize advocacy opportunities.
Managing multiple elections in quick succession requires strategic foresight, proactive engagement, and collaborative advocacy within the non-profit sector.
By understanding the political landscape, developing a targeted advocacy agenda, engaging with candidates and parties, mobilising stakeholders, collaborating with partners, monitoring impact, preparing for post-election engagement, staying informed, and remaining flexible, non-profits and civil society organisations can maximise their impact and influence during this critical electoral period.
Don’t forget that government engagement is an iterative process and the relationships that you develop very well may pay off over time. The Elections are a good horizon to aim for given politicians will be more receptive to your requests, but they aren’t the be-all-and-end-all: keep chipping away at your engagement, keep responding to media cycles, and keep advocating and there’s a good chance you’ll be successful.
This article first appeared on the Third Sector as part of Tanck's fortnightly column, Happenings on the Hill.
Tanck offers advisory services in government engagement, advocacy, stakeholder strategy, and communications.
We share our political expertise and government experience so you can achieve your funding and policy goals.
