Note: I am a blogger for the Barack Obama campaign.
In March of 2007, the campaign launched its first nationwide grassroots event -- Hope Action Change. Thousands of people from all across the country who had used tools My.BarackObama.com to organize locally, got together for house parties and shared their hopes for a better America. From a diary I wrote after spending the afternoon at Janet and Jim Sutherland's home in Council Bluffs, Iowa...
This is what grassroots democracy is all about-- small groups of friends and neighbors coming together to address common challenges and come up with collective solutions.
Over a year later, it's remarkable to see how far this movement has come and how much ordinary people from all across this country have accomplished. This past Saturday, the Obama grassroots took its organization to the next level, kicking off a 50-State voter registration drive. Hardworking volunteers brought scores of new voters into the process and continued the process that began back in their living rooms in March of 2007 -- reinvigorating our democracy.
This is the story of Vote for Change...
Rather than settle for a fifty percent plus one strategy, this movement is, and has always been about, expanding the electoral map by reaching voters who haven't been reached before. We believe that America is stronger when all of us own a piece of our democracy -- and registering to vote is that critical first step to participation.
Folks who participated in the registration drive came from all walks of life: 65-year-olds who participated in earlier struggles secure the right to vote, just-registered 18-year-olds who were encouraging their peers to take part too, folks who had recently become citizens and were relishing their first opportunity to participate in our democracy, seasoned activists, and folks who had never attended a political event in their lives.
Kossacks were out in full force -- check out diaries from kath25 in Austin, Rian Fike in Miami, ElizabethAM in Dallas, casperr in New York, LaAbogada in Los Angeles, sasatlanta in Atlanta, and kidoakland in Hayward, California, among others...
We also asked volunteers to share their stories at BarackObama.com and got hundreds of responses. Here are a few from across the country...
Julie in Tulsa, OK:
The most exciting registrations that I worked on were young people who were registering for the very first time. I assisted two of these voters, and they were both so proud! One was about to graduate from high school and the other was in her first year at a local university. Being able to vote in their first presidential election, and to participate in American democracy, meant something really special to both of them.
Erika in Chandler, AZ:
It was a really great feeling to see the community united by this effort. All ages, races and walks of life were represented at this event - it was awesome to be part of a cohesive group working forward toward a common goal.
Phyllis Grand Rapids, MI:
I felt so good about doing what I did. I loved the unity I felt with the other volunteers. It felt wonderful to help in this campaign. I've never volunteered in any thing of political relevance but this one. I am honored to help this great man get into office.
From Suzanne in Charleston, SC:
My husband and I have never so much as walked out of our way to help any candidate and there we were on our Saturday morning in the 88 degree weather trying to register people to vote, two 55+ old baby boomers finally inspired to do something.
Share your story here.
And remember, we'll be registering new voters and growing this movement for the next six months. We're just getting started.
Check out BarackObama.com/voteforchange and click here to host a voter registration event in your area.