I’ve been out of the BMG loop for a bit. Until a few weeks ago I was focusing on a local election. My focus right now is voter registration and getting people to vote. We have consistently seen that the more we get people to vote, the more Democrats win.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Voter Rights Act. The Massachusetts Democratic Party is promoting voter registration right now. At Roots Camp MA a few weeks ago, we decided to do a voter registration drive on May 9. And in the tradition of Kate Donaghue Day, we’ll be going to Redbones for lunch. We’ll meet at 10:30 AM at Wholefoods in Cambridge to register voters and then for lunch in Somerville at Redbones. You can join us in Cambridge or do voter registration in your own ‘hood and then hang out at Redbones at 1 PM. RSVP on facebook.
I thought that I would share some of my thoughts on voter registration and look to hear from other people’s experience. As some of you know, I am a door to door kind of campaigner. I have heard some anecdotal stories about the effectiveness of voter registration in high traffic areas versus voter registration door to door, but have not found much actual statistical information.
The ultimate goal is not just to get people registered, but to actually get them to vote. When they passed “Motor Voter” here in Mass and people could register when they got their drivers license, voter registration increased dramatically, but the number of people voting stayed pretty much the same.
So over the past month or so I have been doing voter registration door to door. My thoughts are that this is more effective because:
– I can have a more meaningful conversation at the door than when I am interrupting someone who is shopping or otherwise out and about.
– I can provide more information to the newly registered voter. For example I can tell the person the voting location, date of local elections and more.
– I know more about the person. With a list of registered voters, I can tell whether the person with whom I am speaking is actually registered at that address. Several people have told me that they were registered who had never changed their addresses.
– I can track the information more easily, when I am starting with a street list.
Of course it is easier to do voter registration at high traffic areas because it minimizes the preparation involved.
So please consider this to be an open thread on how to effectively register voters in either context.
We had a great BMG gathering in January. I know this is short notice, but whether or not you can volunteer, consider stopping by Redbones at 1 pm on Saturday.
I’ve missed you all and I’m glad to be back! взять займ без отказа 18 лет
