Recently, I spent four days in Austin, TX working with the Texas Democratic Party (TDP)([http://www.txdemocrats.org]). I went there to help them design an online plan that would enhance the work their field and communications teams were doing across the state with minimal staff or resources.
Over the four days, and hours of strategy sessions, three great online programs were born that will support the voter communications plan and will greatly add to the TDP volunteer base and fundraising push.
The first program launched was the Road to Victory House Party program. Organized around the gubernatorial debate and a series of large-donor fundraising events, Texans across the state hosted their own debate-watch/fundraising events with friends and neighbors. In addition to online materials, the TDP supplied each host with a DVD message from the newest crop of Democratic legislators to screen at their party. The DVD and talking points provided the perfect launching pad for the second online program, early voting.
Using a mix of online and offline initiatives, the Early Vote program is crucial to increasing Democratic turnout in Texas. Through a variety of online marketing, blog outreach* and on-the-ground field work, the online program will help inform Democratic voters and increase turnout. The biggest push for this program dovetails into the third online initiative for the TDP, Voting the Straight Democratic Ticket.
The 2006 election marks the first time in years that the TDP has run a full fledged voter communications strategy. By encouraging people to Vote the Straight Democratic Ticket, the TDP is working for Democrats up and down the ballot. In the next week, the TDP will be launching an online pledge to Vote the Straight Democratic Ticket. Once they sign the pledge individuals will receive information on early voting and will be encouraged to recruit more people to pledge their support.
Texas Democrats are stepping up to the plate and turning to their state party to help them organize their neighborhoods. It is examples like this that show the true resolve and dedication of Democrats across the country. They know that with a lot of hard work, we can win.
Grassroots Democrats will continue to work with the TDP, and other state parties, to ensure every state is using every tool available to win. Find out more about our work
here: [http://www.grassrootsdemocrats.com]
Tomorrow I'll be heading to Kansas to work with the state party there. Look forward to more updates in the days to come.
* Any bloggers in Texas who would like more information on these programs should feel free to contact me (staff@grassrootsdemocrats.com) at Grassroots Democrats or Jennifer at the Texas Democratic Party (jdean@txdemocrats.org).