General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMore than almost anything else, I really hate knocking the doors of the dead
It happens only rarely, but it happens
One day in the spring, when trying to register voters, I had the misfortune of asking for three different dearly departed folk at one and the same house. The woman, on whose porch I stood, was very very nice about the whole matter -- but the third time she said, "Oh, he died several years ago too," I really felt like a schmuck. How many times can you say, "I'm terribly sorry"?
On Friday afternoon, I skipped two doors. An hour or two earlier, I had heard a woman screaming, "Oh god! oh god!" a few streets over from where I was walking, and almost immediately afterwards, a couple of patrols flashed past. When I finally worked my way down my list to that cul-de-sac, there were five police cars and two ambulances blocking the street. So I finished the rest of my list and then came back. The ambulances were gone by then, but a crowd of neighbors was in the yard of one house, and two patrol cars were still in the opposite driveway. Both those houses were on my list, but I figured neither of them would want to see me, so I by-passed them, finished the rest of my list, and called it a wrap
On Saturday, I once again heard "He's dead," after asking for a name on my list. And, as usual, I apologized: "I'm terribly sorry. I was hoping to share some information with him about where he could vote." His son said, "It's OK," thanked me, and offered me his hand to shake
codjh9
(2,781 posts)livetohike
(22,163 posts)You cannot just take someone off of the list of voters.....a relative/other has to show up at the county election board office with a death certificate. It's the saddest thing....I'm thinking of one guy who brought his wife in every election, we could see she was failing a little more each time. Then he came alone and had to sign the voter register and see his wife's name right below his. He asked us how to remove her name. The other women and the board and I cried....we were afraid to ask him if she had died, since he came in alone.
whathehell
(29,090 posts)As an experienced phone banker, I know.
struggle4progress
(118,338 posts)I got off the phone ASAP, uttering apology after apology until I was able to hang up
whathehell
(29,090 posts)Such are the hazzards of cold calling the electorate.
It can't be helped, but you do get points for sensitivity.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)If you are canvassing or cold calling there is one response that works in all awkward situations,
"That's why I am here".
It gives you a moment to think of a good response.
Mr. Jones, he died.
"Well that's why I am here"
"We didn't get any response and were wondering, real sorry to hear about it, I hope he didn't suffer."
After a while
"Are you registered'
Think of any response
"I hate getting calls from you people"
"That's why I am here"
"We were wondering if there was any misunderstanding or something we did that really upset you. Is there anything you wish to tell us and I will take it back to the office."
Keep up the good work.
barbtries
(28,811 posts)for all the work you do. you've really been dedicated.
it happened to me on one out of only two times i've been canvassing, in 2008.