Every Monday night my husband and I meet another couple and go out for dinner and trivia at a local pub. It's our one night a week where we all have our children with their respective grandparents or other family members and we get to just chill.
Last Monday night, the group decided that we would do more than just talk about the election...we'd engage. We'd make phone calls or canvass or whatever OFA needed us to do. It was long past time for us to do more than read the latest polls, make status updates on Facebook, or watch Rachel Maddow.
The OFA folks set us up with an address nearby...a local volunteer was having a phonebanking get together at her house. For the next hour and a half we made calls, laughed at each other sounding awkward on the phone, and just generally got over our nervousness in talking with people on the phone. We went out for a beer and some nachos after we finished at 8:30, deciding that we'd rather follow along with the debate via twitter rather than biting our nails while watching it in our respective houses.
We had a great time. I made 73 calls in 90 minutes. I did not get through to most, but the most of the rest that I did talk to were strong supporters. I actually did talk to two undecided voters, one of whom I knew personally (although I didn't realize it until he picked up the phone). I have heard that just having someone talk to them and try to make a connection with them when they are an undecided voter can have some impact on their final decision. I'm thinking I got two more voters last night, in effect tripling my vote. I left them really interested, I asked if they would be watching the debate, and encouraged them to think about the middle class.
We go back the next two Monday nights.
The point of my little story is this: YOU can make a difference. Spend 90 minutes. Make some calls. Or, see the links to upcoming GOTV events below and attend some. Going door to door is actually a lot of fun once you've knocked on that first door.
Take some friends with you. Reward yourselves with a fun get together after you're done.
Call from home. If you can't spend 90 minutes, spend 30 minutes. Every little bit helps!
By the way, Floridians, although our early voting does not start until the 27th (thanks Rick Scott), you can start now by going to your Supervisor of elections office, requesting your absentee ballot there, filling it out on the spot, and turning it in right then!
Here is a list of swing state information. I've tried to find the list of actual offices with addresses, phone numbers, and email contact.
In addition, I've provided you with a link to upcoming GOTV opportunities in these swing states. It's fun. Go talk to voters this weekend. (Minor note: these event links take a little longer to load, but they do load)
List of Florida OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Florida:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of Ohio OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Ohio:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of Virginia OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Virginia:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of North Carolina OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in NC:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of Colorado OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Colorado:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of New Hampshire OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in NH:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of Iowa OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Iowa:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
List of Nevada OFA offices, addresses, and phone numbers:
http://www.barackobama.com/...
Upcoming GOTV events in Nevada:
https://my.barackobama.com/...
FINAL NOTES: I will update this diary with any links people wish to provide for more specific contact information, high priority canvassing events, helping the democratic party, etc.
--Is it possible to get a permanent banner at the top of the front page for the next 2 weeks with links to contacts, etc, for the Kos community to participate?