How OFA's GOTV operation will change this election

[ProSense]

This is a Daily Kos diary from yesterday

How OFA's GOTV operation will change this election

by Eclectablog

<...>



This past week, Organizing for America (OFA) has been pulling out all the stops. We've had a "7 in 7" campaign where we hoped to contact 7 million Democratic voters in 7 days, urging them to GOTV. Well, as you can see, we've blown past that and we're not on Day 7 yet.

If you got to the OFA website, you can volunteer to GOTDV, you can use their totally kick-ass online virtual phonebanking tool (which enters the data back into the Voter Action Network database instantly.) You can find out where to vote, report polling place irregularities and access a whole host of other useful voting resources.

But there's a much fuller and richer effort going on, almost under the radar and in stealth mode, that has been months in the making. As many of you know, OFA has been contacting folks on our lists since late spring/early summer and getting them to sign pledge cards where they pledge to vote for Democrats. Here's the one I got Howard Dean to sign when he was in Ann Arbor, Michigan earlier this fall:

<...>

Now, after all of these months of calling and phoning, we are set to go back to these people to gently and cheerfully remind them of their pledge. As the OFA Community Organizer in my area, I will be running a staging area this weekend where we will launch canvasses and phonebank continuously from Saturday morning through when the polls close on Tuesday. We have over 20 packets each with over 50 homes in them. We will contact each of these more than 1,000 households THREE TIMES over the next four days. First to remind them to vote, second to leave a door hanger telling them where to vote and which Democrats are running and, finally, on Election Day itself, to make sure they voted.

Over 1,000 households. In just one staging area. Plus phonebanking. And that's just ONE staging area of three in our city. And our city is just one of hundreds in our state where this is happening. And our state is just one of 50 where OFA is G'ingOTDV.

more

From the media's constant drumbeat about the enthusiasm gap, one would get the impression that Democrats have already packed up and gone home, for good.

[jillan]

1. It was the local OFA that found me on facebook, emailed me constantly with locations, dates & times

of GOTV events. As a result, I have made more calls for this election than any in the past.... and I'm not done yet.

They do make a difference.

[A Brand New World]

2. I got an email from OFA about an event in Springfield Ohio

on Monday. I'm considering going. Do you suppose I would be phoning or going door-to-door?

[ProSense]

3. DNC video:

DNC video: Stand Up

[AC_Mem]

4. I volunteered for 2 shifts today

Lots of people there, made over 2,000 calls in the first shift. High energy, lots of happy and determined people. We also got lots of positive feedback.

It was a great day and it felt really good to be part of it. If you can, please go volunteer locally!

[Emillereid]

5. I worked an OFA GOTV effort for much of the day --

and when I'm not doing that I'm volunteering at Barbara Boxer's headquarters and when I'm not doing that I'm either calling for moveon or OFA from home. I would like to see DU virtually silent from now til Tuesday evening -- and instead of commenting on the latest news or polls, pick up the phone or canvass or whatever every spare minute you have. You can even do it from home. Every little bit helps!

Go to http://my.barackobama.com/ctl/Constituent/Login?successurl=L3BhZ2UvZGFzaGJvYXJkL3ByaXZhdGU=&_h=R7eLleNlvR32IUbri4ek40kHrFI

set up an account if you don't already have one and click on make calls or find a GOTV location or a canvassing team. Whatever -- it all come down to the GOTV ground work!!!

Every active democrat should be very, very busy the next three days!

[NYC_SKP]

6. Local OFA responsible for getting me to Jerry Brown's rally today to help out...

...and meet the SOS and a few others.

What a great bunch, here today, at the park I walk around every morning and every evening.

Jerry Brown.

:loveya:

:P

[struggle4progress]

7. sunday monday tuesday: let's do it!

[Cognitive_Resonance]

8. K&R nt

[Ramulux]

9. I have made hundreds of calls from home

using that phone-bank tool. Its honestly an absolutely genius idea that will change the way volunteer work is done in this country. Not having to worry about getting to every event and being able to make a few calls whenever I want is such a huge improvement on the existing system. OFA is kicking ass, and I love that so few media people seem to be aware of it.