I want to canvas my neighborhood with voter registration forms . . .

[CrispyQ]

Should I keep the registration pack totally non-partisan or would it be ok to include some pro-dem/pro-Kerry literature as well?

The voter registration form is 3 pages with application & instructions. If I decide to go partisan, any recommendations as to what to include? If I add pro-Kerry stuff, I'd like to limit the entire packet to 8-10 pages.

Any suggestions or better ideas? Has anyone else done this and what type of response did you get?

[salin]

1. call the local party headquarters

a) to coordinate your efforts with theirs, if they have any formal canvassing going on (so you aren't the fifth canvasser to a particular house) and b) to get campaign materials (they will (hopefully) have selected or written material that is germaine to the issues in your community - plus they should have copies so you don't have to foot the bill.)

[CrispyQ]

6. Great idea. I hadn't thought of this. Thanks!

[bleedingheart]

10. I concur..plus they may give you the street sheets for an area

so you don't knock on the doors of the already registered which saves you time.

[0007]

12. ....and also the party headquarters may ask for good locations

to put campaign advertisements. Choice locations they are always looking for....

[NMDemDist2]

2. are you just going to drop the info? or knock on doors?

i usually knock on doors and offer to register teens or whoever. If they are repubs I just give them the form, if Dems I help them fill it out and return it to my local party HQ weekly.

You better check with your county elections committee and see if it's ok to just leave stuff as laws vary by community

[CrispyQ]

7. I was going to knock on doors, but first I will check with my local . . .

election committee as you suggest. Thanks!

[gmoney]

3. I'd do it the other way around...

Offer Kerry literature, and if they seem interested, offer them the voter registration form. If they tell you to "go Cheney yourself," then by all means, don't encourage them to vote!

Also, ask yourself if your neighborhood is a likely Repub stronghold, or if it's more of a swing or Democratic area. If it's solid Repub, then maybe go to an area more likely to be Dem friendly. Your local Democratic HQ probably has a co-ordinated effort going on, so it might be best to join forces with them, and might be easier and more effective.

Canvassing for Kerry would be useless in my neighborhood, and would only serve to piss off most of my neighbors.

[CrispyQ]

8. I like that idea!

I live in a fairly progressive little pocket in Colorado, but there are still plenty of repubs around. I will check with my local dem HQ, first. Thanks for your thoughts.

[liveoaktx]

4. In Texas, you can sign up to be a deputy registrar

meaning you can sign up the person on the spot, without them having to return the voter registration card. (I don't know if it's the same in other states). The reason one would want to do this is because, IF you only give out the voter reg form, that person has to go make a copy of driver's licence and send it back-you're not only saving him or her the step (and ensuring that the person actually does it), but it also affords YOU the opportunity for a follow-up in a few weeks, ie, Did you get your voter card yet? Do you need transportation to vote? A reminder? etc.

[CrispyQ]

9. Great idea to follow up with a call -- especially . . .

Do you need a ride to the polls on election day. I never thought about how many people that might affect. I'll look into it! Thanks for the suggestion!

[alfredo]

5. You don't need to go partisan, just choose the neighborhood

that would be a classic Democratic neighborhood.

First check on the laws concerning voter registration as it relates to partisan politics.

Here is what I do here in Ky. Yesterday I went to the farmer's market. I carried two clipboards. One clipboard was Pro Kerry. that Clipboard had a volunteer form. The other clipboard had the voter registration forms.

I walked through the crowd asking people if they were registered to vote, knowing most would be. That question would be the ice breaker.

If someone agreed to register to vote, I made it clear that I am taking off my partisan "hat."

If they say they are registered and show Kerry support, I then ask them if they'd like to volunteer.

If you are going from house to house, doing purely voter registration, don't espouse any political affiliation. If you are doing something like (partisan) precinct walking and you come across a household with a person not registered, you can offer them a registration form to fill out when they want, or on the spot.

If you do take possession of the filled out cards, it is your responsibility to turn in the cards, no matter what party is checked.

Check around to see if there are any organizations that do voter registration.

Check out places where people congregate to take public transportation.

[CrispyQ]

11. Sounds like you have it together!

Thanks for the input. I'll check with my local dem HQ to see what help they need.

[alfredo]

13. Thanks. I am doing a voter registration/Volunteer walk tonight at the

Kentucky theater before the taping of the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.

[Cleita]

14. I have been canvassing, but we only knock on house doors that

have registered Democrats residing in them. We do carry voter registration forms as many have children just reaching voting age, and some have moved and new people have moved in. In some cases they are Republicans and we do give them the voter registration forms to send in. You should contact your local Democratic headquarters. They can put you in touch with the people who are doing this.

[JNelson6563]

15. You may want to poll first

A question like "If the election were held tomorrow would you vote for Kerry or Bush." That way you don't waste time/effort on the kool-aid drinkers.

Julie

[proud patriot]

16. non partisan is the way to go IMO

:hi: