Yesterday, Kos posted an excellent diary on how democrats can turn the majority of close senate and governor's races into democratic wins this November by getting all of our voters to the polls.
These non-presidential-years are brutal for Democrats, as our core base demographics—single women, people of color, young voters—are the least likely to vote. But really, our ability to turn them out will essentially determine whether we come out of this elections as winners, or let the Republicans walk away with big wins.
This year, it is more important than ever that we encourage, cajole, and drag every dem voter to the polls. Beltway talking heads have started talking about a red wave again, as public polls show our candidates down since pollsters switched to 'likely voter" models that mirror the 2010 electorate. We simply must blow up the pundits' likely voter models and get our drop-off voters to the polls!
I was once one of these presidential-year-only voters, and I want our community to know, there are real life reasons why some of our base voters don't make it out to vote. Packed schedules, lack of transportation, frequent address changes, and family and work commitments can make it difficult for individuals to get out there. But, there are some simple things we can do to help!
Please go below the orange fleur de kos for more.
Twenty five years ago, I was a young single mom that worked and went to school in combinations of time that easily surpassed forty hours a week. I lived paycheck to paycheck, or was dependent on student loans. I either lived at my aunt's or in apartments that I traded in yearly while I pursued a career in medicine. In one eight year period I moved six times between two different states. Even though I was always interested in politics, voting was sometimes difficult for me.
I voted twice for Clinton, but couldn't tell you if I voted in the midterms, which probably means I didn't (!) Because I was considered a student, and moved frequently, I was registered to vote at my aunt's house (where Sallie Mae sent my statements) for eleven years, even though I lived in another state for for thirteen months, and in a distant city in my home state for another five of those years. On election day in 2000, after working at the hospital all day, I drove the two hours up to my aunt's house to vote for Al Gore for president. I almost didn't make it, I was one of the last voters in line before closing time.
It wasn't until I was done with residency training, moved back to my home town, and bought a house that I became a reliable democratic voter. Being at the same residence for years, and having some say over my work schedule did wonders for my ability to vote. Even with the issues I had getting to the polls as a young adult, I realize I was lucky that I had help with child care, a reliable car, and my aunt who was a committed democratic voter, who felt it was important that I voted too.
My aunt passed away several years ago, and I have taken over as the family election nag. I am constantly encouraging, reminding, and prodding family member and friends to register and vote. With eleven days left to go we need to look around us and offer our help to any dem voters we know are at risk for not voting.
Some things we can do to help:
Number one: Offer to help and be prepared. Be familiar with your state's laws, especially if new voter I.D. laws are in effect. Bookmark the web pages that have precinct information and voter instructions on your computer or smartphone, so the information is readily available. Disperse this information to your friends and family. I email, text, and post to Facebook election day reminders and links to voter information. We don't want a voter to make it to the polls only to be turned away because they are at the wrong precinct or didn't bring required ID.
My state (Arizona) has a voter ID law that requires that the address on your driver's license must match your address on the voter rolls at your precinct. If you have moved and haven't obtained a new license, you can bring in a utility bill with the up to date address that in combo with the old license, will allow you to vote. Importantly for young voters (who are frequent movers) a voter can use their car registration or a cell phone bill to meet this requirement. In 2012, I did a morning of poll monitoring for Election Protection in a precinct where there was a competitive congressional race (that Kyrsten Sinema won). In the time I was there, a few young voters were turned away after the site manger explained that they would need another proof of residence and suggested a utility bill. I followed them outside and let them know that a car registration or cell phone bill would suffice. Two voters returned after fetching their car registrations, and the third went back inside after whipping a cell phone bill out of her purse.
Number two: Offer to babysit! Our young moms and dads (especially of the single variety) need child free time to vote. If I had to take my two younger kids with me to vote, chances are good I would have to leave if there was any kind of line. My five year old is a "stimulation seeker" who would go bezerk after about 10 minutes. Most parents will be one temper tantrum or diaper blowout away from giving up and going home. Some parents may not make it to vote if their child will miss a game or an appointment, so pitch in by picking up your niece from soccer, or take your little cousin to his piano lessons.
Number three: Offer to cover for your coworkers! Switch shifts, come in early, or stay a little late, so someone can get to the polls on time. In 2012, I had texted a coworker-friend on election day to see if he voted. He was stuck at work after things ran late and he didn't think he would make it to his precinct on time. I wrapped up my afternoon phone bank shift at dem headquarters, then went in to work to cover for my friend. He got his vote in, and the next day we shared in the schadenfreude.
Number four: Offer a ride! Don't go by yourself to vote, bring a friend. Make an event of it and go out for a Starbucks or dinner afterwards. Make it a positive experience for both you and your friend. This is especially important this year because in some states, republican officials are moving polling places as far as possible from college campuses and minority neighborhoods. They know transportation issues will lead to many democratic voters not making it out to vote.
Number five: Be ready to support our voters if the lines are long. Anticipate it, because it will happen in battleground states, like Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin where early voting has been curtailed. Bring water bottles, packaged snacks, and even a folding chair with you, or offer these items to your friends before they leave the house. Offer to take the dog out for a walk, or feed the cat. If babysitting for someone, make yourself available for a good chunk of time, and let mom and dad know you will watch junior for as long as it takes. Offer to cook dinner or bring food for the kids, and that'll be one less thing mom and dad will be stressed about.
Lastly, follow up with your friends. If someone had to submit a provisional ballot, make sure they are able to do what is needed to get that vote counted! Thank them for voting, and assure them that what they did is important for them, their families, and their community. Better yet, if the candidates they voted for win, they will have a good reason to vote in the next midterm election.