And I'm sorry, I don't mean the NJ or VA Governor races.
I'm biased in writing this because I'm running for local office myself. But there's about a
month left until Election day (November 8th) and I thought it was a good time to remind people
(not that everyone needs reminding) about their local elections.
When I first posted about my race here, I got very kind words of encouragement and some very
kind donations. I've spent the summer and the fall trying to earn every dollar and kind word
given to me. 98F and 85% humidity? It was still sunny! So I was knocking on doors IN LONG
PANTS despite the heat and the perspiration.
Let me tell you something about your local candidates. We likely already have full-time
jobs. We're mostly self-financed (although I was honored enough to receive donations from
fellow kossacks). If we're married and/or have kids, well, the family hasn't seen a lot of us
since May. A number of us are brand new to this process while others of us may have done this
before. We're running in places where Democrats may have never run before. I'm sure a lot of us
are running against established Republican machines that already have they're voters lined up.
The coordination and strategy of local races vary from township to township. In my race, I
have about 6000 voters I need to talk to (But I just need 3000 + 1 of them to vote for me).
About two townships over from where I'm running I met a gentlemen who is also running as a
Democrat. The position he is running for is similar to mine (Township Council).
He has to talk to only 1300 voters (and only needs to get 651 to vote for him).
So, where I'm trying to get to everyone at least once, he should have seen all of
his constituents 2-3 times by now. (BTW his name is NO_LIE Bill Clinton).
So the question is, what can you do for your local Democratic/progressive/green/independent
candidates? Stuff envelopes? Make phone calls on his/her behalf? Now's the time to do it!
The great thing about this work is the immediate and close proximity of the results.
Hopefully, these results will be positive as well.
Remember what Howard Dean said, other than running for office yourself, this is the other way to take
the country back:
Voting is not enough........voting gets you a D if you want to live in a healthy democracy. If you want an A, you have to vote. And you have to work in a campaign for a candidate for any office three hours a week. And you have to send your favorite candidate five or ten or fifty dollars.
If you want your country back, you have to take it back.
Now you may be asking yourself, what can I do? I'm glad you asked.
Here is a list of things you can do for a local election:
Before Election Day.
Phone Bank
Either at a location set up by your local campaign or from your home.
Get a phone list from the candidate, start calling people and tell them to vote.
"Lit Drop"
Usually occurs a few days before the Election. A specific neighborhood or precinct
gets the candidates literature on every door. No door knocking or voter persuasion
needed, just part of an overall GOTV effort.
Talk to Friends and Neighbors
Just as important as anything else. Let people know there is an election. Turn
out is so poor for these elections, if just a few new voters show up it can
change the results immediately (for the better!).
Election Day
Become Minority/Majority inspector
One of those folks that work at the polling place.
It's an all day Election Day commitment. But most townships pay.
Poll Watcher
Check the voting booths when they open, observe the count at the end of the day. You'll
need to contact your local party committee to get this paperwork done (and soon!)
Campaign Poll worker
Hand out your candidates literature at the polls on Election Day (at the
required distance from the polling place)
Election Day phone bank.
Where you basically run down a list of voters and ask "Did you vote yet? Please Vote!"
And most of all, make sure YOU vote!
Please, find the local campaign near you and help out as best you can! If half of the people
that worked on campaigns in 2004 work on elections in 2005, we will see the results immediately
and the country will be better for it!
Don
This is where it starts: http://www.fieldsforupperdarby.org