Many of us hurt for our country these days and want to do what we can to save it. One great new approach is Postcards to Voters.
Why Postcards?
I tried phone banking a couple of years ago. I was a little nervous about it, because I feel weird calling strangers on the phone. After all, I don’t like it when strangers call me. But the elections were important enough for me to overcome that hesitation, and so I signed up for it, and sat down with my cell phone on a Saturday and made two dozen calls. And reached NO ONE. Evidently all my targets were screening their calls too, and as they did not recognize my number they did not pick up.
I’ve also tried canvassing. That’s a hit-or-miss situation. I rather like the exercise, and sometimes people are friendly, but mostly they’re apprehensive about some stranger coming to their door. I don’t blame them; I would be as well. I’ll do it again, but my participation depends on there being a race when I’m in town.
But postcards are not intrusive. Postcards can be adorable. Postcards, if handwritten, not made by a bot or a printer, feel personal, too.
How It Works
You can use your own postcards, but the website has links for ordering postcards, which come with postcard stamps. I ordered 40, and they have “be a Voter” on the front with room for an address, and they’re blank on the other. Turns out I needed all the blank space to write. They’re good, but the postcards took a whole week to arrive, so you should allow lead time, both when you start and as you continue.
Your first postcard has to be approved before you’re authorized. They send you an email with information that you must include (like the date of the election and the name of the candidate as well as the race in which they’re running). They also send other suggestions, for opening, for closing, and other information to include.
I drafted my postcard text on the computer before copying it onto the card itself. I think this is easier than just winging it, and if you write multiple postcards for a race, you can use the same text repeatedly.
With so many years of just typing, my handwriting has deteriorated. But I managed, and then sent a photo to Postcards to Voters. After that is approved they’ll send you an address. No names, just addresses — instead of a name I’m using “Esteemed Voter” but they suggest other variations too — and you are not supposed to include your name either.
My first dozen postcards were just black ink, but many people think color helps, so I’m trying to incorporate that too.
Here’s a sample postcard for Marie Newman (running for Congress in a primary in Illinois):
Postcards to Voters also has statistics on the campaigns in which they have participated.
Advantages:
You can participate in special elections across the country.
Gearing up now gets you in practice for the general election.
It’s not expensive (about $11.00 for a set of 20 cards, stamps and shipping).
You can indulge your artistic tendencies!
It reminds Democrats that we are not alone.
Since you’re mailing presumably from the US, it proves you are not a Russian bot!
Some remarks:
You should mail the postcards you have completed within 24 hours.
I have been asking for five addresses at a time, so that I have confidence that I can complete them.
You can sometimes sign up for specific campaigns.
Addresses of voters (no names) are sent by text or by email after you have been approved.
💙 💛 💙
There’s loads more at the Postcards to Voters website, and I am sure others here have experiences to share, whether they have written, or they have received, postcards to voters. If you have information to add, please do!