Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and resident of one of the nation's bluest districts, always sets really lofty goals for increasing his turnout. In 2010 it was to prevent the expected drop-off from the insane turnout of 2008 and help the DFL win the Governor's race.
This year Minnesota had two constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first was to limit the freedom to marry. The other was a vote restriction amendment that would have eliminated same-day registration, absentee balloting and cost the state many millions of dollars to implement.
Keith's 2012 goal was to make sure that the two amendments were defeated. I believe he had a huge impact this year.
Follow me below the squiggle of love and freedom to vote to compare his 2008 and 2012 votes totals...
2008 |
228776 |
2012 |
257295 |
Increase |
28519 |
Turnout increased in his district by nearly 30,000. I don't claim that this was solely due to Team Ellison's efforts. Other campaigns were working in the same voter universe.
Obama for America (OFA) targeted 2010 drop-offs, e.g., the folks who voted in 2008 but not in 2010. However, they did not ask or persuade about the amendments.
MN United, the campaign to stop the Anti-Marriage amendment, had a massive voter contact effort across the state.
But I think both Ellison and MN United knew that voter contact in MN-05, one of the bluest districts in the US, and especially in Minneapolis, would make the difference.
My new Senate District (SD62), as an example, we were 81.12% against the marriage amendment.
Next compare how MN-05 voters voted on the two amendments. Keith pretty much had the same votes (257295) as those who voted against the two amendments. 255,570 against the Anti-Marriage Amendment and 256,655 against Vote Restriction.
That's pretty good sign that DFLers in Keith's district knew to vote against the two amendments.
Thanks to Keith and his most excellent team for rocking the vote.
* All vote totals from the MN Sec. of State's website *