Democratic group plans to send 13 million hand-written postcards to voters in swing states

[babylonsister]

I remember receiving a hand-written card 2 years ago and was duly impressed.

Democratic group plans to send 13 million hand-written postcards to voters in swing states
By John Bowden - 07/16/20 08:00 AM EDT


Democratic group plans to send 13 million hand-written postcards to voters in swing states

A left-leaning group announced plans on Thursday to send 13 million hand-written postcards to swing-state voters around the country in an effort to boost Democratic voter turnout in the 2020 election.

The Progressive Turnout Project (PTP) said in a press release that it was investing $500,000 in the initiative begun in conjunction with Indivisible Chicago Alliance, and they have already distributed around 3.5 million hand-written postcards to volunteers for mailing.

Voters in 10 states are being targeted, according to the press release including Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“This is the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and Democrats need to do everything possible to connect with voters and get out the vote,” said Alex Morgan, PTP's executive director.

“Research from the 2018 election shows that personalized, hand-written messages boost turnout, so this year we’re investing big in reaching voters on the door and through their mailbox. That’s how we’ll beat Donald Trump and flip the Senate.”

more...

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/507521-dem-group-plans-to-send-13-million-hand-written-postcards-to-voters-in

[MacKasey]

1. This also helps U.S. Post Office!

[Cha]

11. That's what I just said in post #10!

[Iliyah]

2. The US Post Office has been compromised . .

The elections can't come soon enough.

[Hortensis]

3. This is a fun and easy (for most) way to volunteer.

I did only one pack for a candidate in a special election because I have poor hand coordination, slow writing, quick to make mistakes and have to tear up and start over.

I'd checked various samples before volunteering, though, imagined the words I might use, and thought I could put out something cute and adequately personalized with flowers and smiley faces, or whatever. I can be creative and could just do scribbled, space covering designs that don't require accuracy. And I have lots of free time, a fair amount of which I spent browsing an art marker aisle with different tips, widths, colors, etc., as if I were decision challenged at Ben & Jerry's.

But I greatly underestimated the length of the text to be included for this candidate. What happened to choosing our own words? Worse, I had to get it all down attractively, beginning to end. Trauma. Such a little thing to sink me, but we're not all suited for all tasks.

I recommend it for all those who can't imagine having a problem with it, though. Perfect for something worthwhile to do at home and a chance to be creative.

[luv2fly]

4. Too bad the PTP website sucks

It's a challenge to find relevant information on the site, and Wisconsin information (which I'm interested in) is barely readable and pretty much makes no sense.

[sweetloukillbot]

5. My wife and I have received them

Regarding a local house race. Cards came from Hawaii and Oregon and were very nicely done.

[mahina]

7. We sent those!

[Thunderbeast]

6. Our household has sent over 120 postcards.

They are going to Florida Democrats urging them to vote by mail. The message gives a phone number and email address for their county elections office.

I have recruited the neighbor's 10 year old to color the drawing on cards we printed with a graphic. Messages, however, are hand written. We buy blank cards and print a graphic from an available template.

The site is pretty user friendly. You need to "audition" your handwriting by snapping a picture of your first card. You can ask for as many addresses (no names) as you can fulfill in three days by sending a text.

To get involved contact:

https://postcardstovoters.org/

[Dem2theMax]

8. I would love to do this, but I have one question.

Do I have to have a printer to be able to do this?

I am without a printer, have been for quite a while. And I cannot lift, (neck issues,) so I cannot go purchase one at the moment.

I would so love to contribute in this way. I'm old enough to be in the at-risk category, so I pretty much have to stay at home. This would be a great way to volunteer.

[Thunderbeast]

9. No...you do not need a printer.

We chose to print our own postcards, but you can order plain postcards from Amazon or Office Depot. If you feel creative, you can decorate (not necessary, but fun).

Pre-printed cards with a graphic are available from Etsy. The link is on their web site.

All messages and addresses are hand written.

Hope you can join us.

[Dem2theMax]

12. Thank you so much for the information!

I've been feeling so helpless with everything happening. This gives me something positive to do, in a way that I can feel I'm helping.

[CrispyQ]

13. I bought two packs of these postcards, a set of markers, & a set of woodland creature rubber stamps.

I draw word bubbles for my frogs, birds, and bunnies, & put a lot of my message in them. I have some Halloween stamps I use closer to the election. I have a flying witch who writes, "Don't forget to vote" across the sky. It's something to do while the TV is on at night.

https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Mailable-Postcards-Printing-Mailing/dp/B0784TYR3M/

[Dem2theMax]

14. You must have been reading my mind!

I was lying in bed last night thinking about doing this, and I was thinking that I need markers and I need stickers! Thank you for the link. I'm going to have fun with this, as well as knowing that I'm doing something to help!

[WinstonSmith4740]

16. Thanks so much for posting the link!

I had sent an email to PTP, but I'm sure this will go much faster! Can't wait to get started.

[Hela]

17. Thanks!

That WAS easy! I looked at the PTP website earlier and couldn't figure out where to actually sign up.

[Thunderbeast]

18. We asked if the postcard campaign was effective...

This was the response!

We conducted a pilot program in five counties two years ago when we started this Florida Vote By Mail effort. We proceeded with a statewide initiative once we saw how strong the results were from the pilot effort. Democratic voter enrollments in Vote By Mail spiked significantly during the writing period and shortly after.

A couple of county Democratic parties conducted their own analyses this year when it was their county's turn in the lineup. They both wrote to us sharing how beneficial the effort appeared to have been for them.

Politico conducted their own statewide analysis and published their findings a few weeks ago. Democrats enjoyed a 302,000-voter advantage in VBM enrollments over Republicans. In 2016, Dems only had an 8,800-voter advantage.

[Cha]

10. Great and help the USPS, too!

[SallyHemmings]

15. I signed up to do this