People here are well aware of Republican voter suppression efforts underway in our country. From photo ID restrictions to truncated early voting to planning for direct retail voter intimidation as diaried by SeaTurtle and others, our once-honorable opponents appear ready to try anything to keep us from pushing that sacred button this year.
We are working to defeat these efforts. We will not be entirely successful. So we must have Plans B through Z.
This one's pretty far down the alphabet, but worth thinking about, should you have the time, resources and inclination to make voting a tiny bit easier for your fellow citizens: make 'em comfortable.
It is inevitable that, whether through high turnout or partisan shenanigans, there will be people in many precincts who will be stuck in long, slow lines waiting to vote. Here are a few things we can do to make their wait a little less onerous:
Provide comforts like folding camp chairs, wheelchairs, umbrellas for rain or sun, sunscreen, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, etc. to voters waiting in line.
Where permitted, organize volunteers to hold places in line for voters who must step away briefly. As for the main reason to do so, if you own a home or business near a crowded polling place, consider opening your rest rooms to voters waiting in line. If you own or lease vacant property near such a site and can afford it, consider renting a couple of portalets for voters' use.
It's understood that some of these activities will not be possible or permitted in some areas. People will have to know and follow the laws in their own states and municipalities.
Such a campaign is no substitute for GOTV and election monitoring efforts. It just seems to me something we can do to get IN the vote, as in actually getting people up to the machine.
And it would be something to organize now, before the crush of election day.