More ways to turn out Democratic voters in the fall

[Jane Austin]

Today I read the obituary of a great Texas Democrat, Ed Wendler.

At the end of the obituary was this: In lieu of flowers, Ed requests that you take ten Democrats to the polls in November.

I might be able to transport people to the polls, and I know I've registered more than ten people to vote, just by carrying voter registration forms around with me. Now I'll have to do more to honor Ed.

If you can you think of other ways to increase the Democratic vote in Novemeber, will you share them with us here?

Thanks in advance..

[yardwork]

1. Taking people to the polls is a good idea.

I'm always surprised how few of my neighbors care about politics.

They are generally clueless about who is running and why. They don't know the difference between the Republican and Democratic platforms.

They are extremely vulnerable to push-polls and TV advertising. They'll vote for somebody just because they like their looks, or "he seems like a decent guy," or "I heard that he's a Christian, so he gets my vote."

If each of us made a commitment to raise the topic of the election with ten people, and politely encourage them to consider voting for John Kerry, and offer to watch their kids or drive them to the polls, that would make a huge difference across the country.

And then drive ten Democrats to the polls on election day!

[Jane Austin]

2. An idea

Would it sound too weird - - assuming you're a known part of
your community - - to have a kids'  pizza party in the late
afternoon so the parents could go vote?

[sybylla]

3. Nope

But if the kids are old enough, I would encourage taking them along.

My kids have been going to the polls with me and hubby since they could ride in a stroller. When they got old enough to understand, we even took them in the booth with us and explained what we were doing. Because they have always been there they now, as teenagers, think of voting as an important and interesting part of life. They look forward to the opportunity to do it themselves and are very interested in politics. Taking your kids to the polls can pay dividends later on.

[Jane Austin]

4. Good point!

n/t