Update on GO VOTE TODAY in FL..

[ddeclue]

Friends:

I went and voted this morning at 10AM in Orlando and there were 100 people in line right at 10AM. Good news is most of them were Democrats.

I also have updated advice on ballot amendments...

That said here is my update:

PLEASE go vote TODAY if you live in Florida!

It is URGENT that you EARLY VOTE or ABSENTEE VOTE ASAP. IT IS PREFERABLE TO EARLY VOTE BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT CHECK YOUR BALLOT FOR ERRORS OR ID ISSUES UNTIL ELECTION DAY AFTER 7PM WHEN THEY COUNT THE BALLOTS AT WHICH POINT IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS – THAT SAID, I’D RATHER YOU VOTED ABSENTEE THAN WAITED UNTIL ELECTION DAY AND THEN FAILED TO VOTE SO EITHER WAY GO VOTE NOW!

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will be barnstorming the state today and will be meeting up at the T.D. Waterhouse (Amway) Center here in Orlando today to encourage people to go EARLY VOTE and ABSENTEE VOTE TODAY!


WHEN YOU GO TO VOTE:

1) Check with your supervisor of elections website or by phone to find out WHERE and WHEN you can EARLY VOTE. (If you FAIL to EARLY VOTE, then be sure to check as to your polling place, many have changed since you last voted.)

2) Vote the ENTIRE BALLOT and Vote DEMOCRAT.

Check with knowledgeable Democrats in your area about the so-called "non partisan" races because even though they are officially called this, the truth is that almost every person running for a non-partisan office is registered as a Democrat or a Republican and do you really want a Republican on your school board or water board or city council? Think about it.

For Orange County Soil & Water non partisan races I am personally voted for Anderson, Hamilton and Howard.


On the ballot referendums, again ask a knowledgeable Democrat.

When in doubt vote NO. Most of these amendments as a rule are bad for Democrats anyways – MY TAKE ON REFERENDUM ITEMS IS VOTE NO ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR STATE ITEMS 1,3, AND 8.

BE SURE TO VOTE NO ON #2 WHICH IS THE PERENIAL GAY BASHING AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE WING-NUTS ON THE RIGHT WHICH WOULD DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF EVEN THE MOST BASIC RIGHTS TO VISIT THEIR PARTNER IN THE HOSPITAL AND WHICH WOULD NOT SIMPLY DEPRIVE SAME SEX COUPLES OF PARTNER BENEFITS BUT WOULD ALSO DEPRIVE HETERO UNMARRIED COUPLES OF THESE BENEFITS AS WELL.

BE SURE TO VOTE NO IN ORANGE COUNTY FL ON THE “ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR” WHICH WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF NULLIFYING THE EXISTING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED FROM SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS BY GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNS AND WOULD PUT THE SCHOOL BOARD UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPERS AND OUT OF THE CONTROL OF THE VOTERS, TAXPAYERS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS.

WHY EARLY VOTE or ABSENTEE VOTE RIGHT NOW?

There are several very good reasons:

1) Florida's new Voter ID Match law may cause your ballot to be rejected so we need to find that out as early as possible. The Obama campaign and the Florida Democratic Party have hundreds of volunteer attorneys on stand by around the state to help make sure that your vote will count but they need TIME to fix these problems so PLEASE don't wait until the last possible moment and expect them to be able to help you.

Vote NOW so we can find out and CHECK to make sure your vote is going to count with the Supervisor of Elections if you vote absentee. If for any reason your vote is rejected contact the local Obama for President office or the county Democratic Executive Committee office or the Florida Democratic Party in Tallahassee. If you can't find the number dial the area code + 555-1212 and ask information for the number.

2) It will help us reduce the work load in the campaign offices on election day. The more voters we can get out of the way before election day the less problems we will have turning out the vote ON election day. We need to "bank" your vote BEFORE Nov 4th and go into Nov 4th with a huge lead so that the Republicans can't catch up and so that there won't be any doubt about the results at the end of the day.

3) It will demoralize Republicans if we beat them in EV and ABV before election day. They keep track of this stuff too and if we beat them at their own game, they will know it is over before Nov 4th actually starts.

4) Waiting until the last moment is taking a big risk with your vote. Besides the Florida ID law, consider what happens if:

a) There are long lines at the polls. Latest predictions are for a near 90% turnout this year in FL. If you vote now you avoid the rush and make the lines shorter for other Dem voters on election day. Remember also that the Voter ID law may slow down voting in FL and also make lines longer.

b) The weather is bad. The 2006 General and Primary elections in Florida were plagued by rain which drove down turnout. Vote TODAY, the weather is supposed to be fine across the state. Don't wait until the last minute and have your excuse be: I didn't want to stand in the rain.

c) You have an accident, illness, personal, or family emergency that prevents you from voting. Don't let a simple thing like having a flat tire on election day at 530PM make John McCain the next President of the United States.

d) If you EARLY VOTE or ABSENTEE VOTE then YOU will be available to help us by VOLUNTEERING on election day (and the days before too!).

Time to apply the "Powell Doctrine" in Florida folks - we have a clear objective: Elect Obama to the Presidency - and we need to meet the Republicans with the "overwhelming force" of OUR volunteer army of Obama supporters.

We need people to knock and drag on election day, give rides to polls, phone bank, hang door hangars, man polling places, put out signs, answer incoming calls, make copies, and a million other things so time to step up and help fill out our cadre of dedicated experienced staff and volunteers.

Call up information and ask for the campaign number and then call and ask how you can join the team!

PLEASE BE SURE TO PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO YOUR OWN DISTRIBUTION LISTS!

Thanks and GO VOTE!


Douglas J. De Clue
Orlando, FL / Fort Lauderdale, FL
407 473-1202 (Orlando Cell#)
954-401-4897 (Fort Lauderdale Cell#)
[e-mail]

[ddeclue]

1. self bump because this is important stuff..n/t

[kerry-is-my-prez]

2. I'm voting tomorrow at the library - it will be less busy....

n/t