There are a lot of reasons behind our decision to start a pilot program for local races here in Boston. Part of it is hometown pride. We’re located across the river in Cambridge, and we wanted to bring the success we’ve created across the US back into our community.
We’re also fond of trotting out the phrase “money talks” when we discuss our mission. We’re working to move politics in a more participatory direction, where ordinary Americans can play a large role in the democratic fundraising process. When politicians become dependent on your money, they’re more responsive to your views once they take office. In that way, your donations on ActBlue create more accountable leaders.
Boston has very low contribution limits and robust internet infrastructure, two things that make it fertile ground for our tools and mission. Here, one maxed-out donor is equivalent to only ten $50 donors, meaning that there’s a real incentive for campaigns to build a broad base of support. That means more space for you to make your voice heard.
So what can you do to help this happen? Well, first of all reach out to your city council rep and ask them to shoot us an email at info@actblue.com. If you come to our website a couple of weeks later and still can’t find them, reach out again and let them know that you’d love to support them if they’d just get setup on ActBlue.
If you have any questions, you can also email us at info@actblue.com. I know that sounds like a fairly generic address, but actual humans (myself included) read every email that arrives there.
I just want to give a public shout out to ActBlue for all the assistance they have provided as we’ve gotten up and running.
I hope this campaign season maybe? đŸ˜€
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p>Pretty please?
that you help work out the kinks and promote the Boston work. Then, they’ve already figured out the state regulations on local races, so expanding to Lowell (and Worcester et al) should be a snap.
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p>Right?
I should post about this on my blog, Mr. stomv? đŸ˜‰
But, you might also consider contacting the actblue folks directly and see if there’s anything you can do to help them debug the Boston ActBlue and then help expand it to other MA cities…
All of the Boston City candidates are Democrats. It’s not like we need help getting Dems in office here.
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I think Doug Bennett is still a Republican, at least that’s what he was when he ran on the Cape.
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p>Chuck Turner is a member of Green-Rainbow Party
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p>I also think there’s a Libertarian in the mix somewhere.
I’m a member of the Local 7 Iron Workers in South Boston and we just sent money to Bennett. Bennett is actually an independent or unenrolled voter. I just checked it out with the voter rolls at City Hall.
We don’t need help to have a heavily Democratic local government in any city in Boston. However, we definitely need help getting good candidates into office, who happen to be mostly Democrats, hence one meaning of “getting Dems into office” applies. For example, we need help getting people like Sam Yoon into office, and he’s a Democrat.