I just convinced my black friend in Sarasota to register to vote

[graywarrior]

We had lunch today and were discussing the Kerry buttons I wear and the stickers all over my car. When I asked her if she was going to vote, she told me sheepishly that she was not registered. I told her she, all of people, should vote. She never heard of F911. I explained a little of it to her and she said, "I trust you. If you help me register, I'll vote. I'm scared of Bush. I'll get my kids to vote, too."
So, we're off to the Supervisor of Elections office to get her registered. Got to get her to F911, too. I love making people politically aware. Made my day.

[Caution]

1. Make sure to offer to take her to her polling place on Nov 2!

Don't let her get away :)

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Woo hoo! Way to go!

The other DUer is correct.

Those who are new to the process are intimidated about just what you do when you go to a polling place.

Drive her, hold her hand through as much of it as you can (Say "First, go to this check-in table, then walk over there, then fill in the ballot with that pencil, then put your ballot in the box face up this way." ; show her how amazingly easy and empowering it can be. Once she does it the first time, it will become a breeze and mightily important to her. Then she can share that feeling with her kids, who can do the same thing with their friends.

Good on ya for the great work!
FSC

[qwlauren35]

3. Ditto...

Those who vote regularly have NO IDEA how intimidating the act of voting can be to first-time voters.

I noticed that some republicans scorned the idea of Jackson & Sharpton literally walking/carrying folks to the polls, suggesting that the "Get Out the Vote" project was an effort to hunt down reprobates as the only people who would support the Dems.

But in reality, there are MILLIONS of Americans who don't vote. And the more we do to find them, convince them to register AND HELP THEM GET TO THE POLLS, the better chance we have of winning the election.

[graywarrior]

4. Indeed, I can tell my friend is afraid

But she told me today she contacted the NAACP for the first time in her life due to a problem her daughter was having at work.

She is very nervous. I can see why the black vote was so easily stolen here in Florida.

[fudge stripe cookays]

5. Then what you've done is even more important!!

You've showed that friend that she has more strength than she knew she had, and she's going to thank you for it someday.

Congratulations on changing someone's life! :-)

[dryan]

6. Sorry, but we don't allow "helpers" ....

when people vote in Florida unless you are disabled, cannot read, etc and then one of the people must be a member of the precinct board such as the Clerk or facilitator. Also, in Sarasota county they have not had "ballot boxes" for many, many years. They have optiscan machines.

[blazinjason]

7. Don't forget to reward your "friend" with a lollipop,

AFTER she votes! :-)



BJ :eyes:

[Cha]

8. It would "make my day", too!

Sounds like it could be infectious!