Our most important job right now: Registering voters

[prolesunited]

We absolutely need to be hitting the ground to get people registered to vote. If they are not registered, it won't do any good if we have them convinced to cast their votes for Kerry.

Here's a breakdown of state deadlines:
http://www.fec.gov/votregis/state_voter_reg_deadlines02.htm

National mail voter registration form:
http://www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.htm

Online resources:
https://electionimpact1.votenet.com/declareyourself/index.cfm
http://www.justvote.org/
http://www.drivingvotes.org/register.shtml

So, who's been registering voters? What's been your strategy? Any words of encouragement for others?

[Sugarbleus]

1. I have a question...

I am nearly totally housebound. I give to the campaign and write letters ad infinitum. On the issue of registering voters, is it possible to have voter registrations ON HAND in MY possession?

I've been thinking about 18 year olds getting registered. I'm raising my 16 yr.old g.son; he sees me obssessed with this campaign..he knows how intense I am about everything. I talk to him about the issues and why I choose Kerry over Bush. I've asked him to tell his friends who are at least 18 to vote. I grill his older friends when they come over. }(

It occured to me the other day, maybe I could be helpful in reaching this age group.

What info can you give me on this? Thanx

[JimmyJazz]

4. I went to Google and typed

"Register Vote" - The site asked me for my state and zip code and provided me with a form on line (Adobe Acrobat). I completed the form, printed it and mailed it. I don't see why you couldn't just print the form as many times as you wanted and then fill it in by hand. I hope this was helpful.

https://electionimpact1.votenet.com/justvote/?&CFID=355207&CFTOKEN=85389181

[Sugarbleus]

10. Thanks much... eom

[Tsiyu]

12. Well of course it is!

We went down to the Voting Office and asked for and were given around 50 the last time. It most certainly is a right and today a responsibility to have a few with you at all times. I made my son's friend fill out one or else he couldn't ride in my car. Think up your own "incentives."

[Sugarbleus]

19. THANK YOU SO MUCH.... wooohoooooooooooo

I spent some serious time this evening talking to hubby and g.son about a Bush win. They need to be much more aware of the seriousness of this election.

I've got g.son's eyebrows raised at this point, and I've got hubby excited about TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS.

Hubby is a disable man in an elec. wheelchair. He wears anti-bush buttons but has been a one issue guy for too long. I've asked, no TOLD him he MUST be more active when he is out in the public. He get's around much more than I do. I've suggested various measures he can take to get the message out, for one, and ways to encourage people to freaking VOTE.

It's kinda funny, hubby is loaded down with buttons and t'shirts almost to the point that he looks like a roving sandwich sign. I've asked him to take it a step further in that he confront and ACTIVELY get people to understand the stakes ...

Off to get some voter reg. forms. THANKS THANKS THANKS...
HOPE IS ON THE WAY..............

[cally]

14. Just go to the local County Registrar of Voters

or contact the Dem headquarters. In California, you can pick up 49 forms at a time or as many as you want if you fill out a form. California also has a law that schools have to allow registration of voters. It would be terrific if your son picked up 100 or so forms and took them to his school and other local schools. Ask the government and economics teachers to pass them out. If nothing else, you could call these teachers in local schools and ask them to pass them out in class. Remember, many parents had their boys start school a year late. Their are many 18 year olds in this Senior class.

[Sugarbleus]

20. FANTASTIC. Great info and tips...

Many many thanks.... :bounce:

[olddem43]

2. Right, and in most cases it needs to be done in the next two weeks.

[NoPasaran]

3. Register register register

I've been doing it since the spring. Wherever groups of people are to be found, some of them will need to be registered. Never go anywhere without voter cards and whatever else yopu need (in Texas we have receipt books).

Try to ask everybody two questions:

"Are you registered to vote?" and

"At your current address?"

If someone doesn't want to register but just talk about how pointless voting is, move on to the next person. (Chances are they're a disgruntled Bush* voter from 2000.)

Words of encouragement: Nothing any of us can do will affect this election more than increasing the number of our voters. And nothing is more encouraging than the number of folks who'll say " I really DO need to vote this time", or the already-registered people who tell you how they can't wait for Election Day. So if you're in a panic over the latest poll or burned out from discussing typewriter fonts... step away from the computer and hit the streets!

[JimmyJazz]

6. Where are you approaching these people?

I want to get registration forms and spend Saturday getting people to register, but I don't want to get into trouble. There is a college campus nearby and I would love to go there. Also, if I do this, is there anything illegal about me footing the bill for stamps?

This is really important because I live in Purple Pennsylvania

[NoPasaran]

7. Your state laws may vary

In Texas one can be deputised as a registrar so we can assist the voter filling out the form (make sure all blanks are filled out) andthen turn the card in ourselves, not depending on the voter to mail it in. You may want to check with your local Democratic Party or whoever handles registration in PA for the details.

As far as not wanting to get in trouble... be bold! The worst that will happen is some authority figure will tell you to move on. While waiting for someone like that to come along, you'll probably have registered a few voters. Remember... it's easier to beg forgiveness than to get permission.

Sometimes we get permission from store managers to set up a nonpartisan table outside a grocery store. Sometimes we set up tables on public sidewalks. Sometimes we just hit people waiting at bus stops with a registrar armed with a clipboard. The important thing is to do something.

[JimmyJazz]

8. thanks for the input

As an aside, I don't care if I get into trouble. I think what I meant to say was that I wouldn't want to invalidate someone's registration by violating any rules. As for violating the law , we can all see that has little affect on one's ability to get/hold a job. :)

[liveoaktx]

17. Adding to this- in Texas, another reason to be a deputy registrar

is that the voter forms add a step, ie, the person has to run out to the copier and send back proof of where they live to get registered-as a dep registar, we can register them on the spot.

I called up the local grocery store for a couple of weekends in September to set up a table. I also also set up a registration table a couple of times downtown by our courthouse.

[prolesunited]

16. Thanks for all the work

That you are doing.

In another month, we can focus on GOTV efforts.

[cthrumatrix]

5. bingo....this is the answer

[wtmusic]

9. AND confirmation

Millions of people think they are registered and are not. Urge people to contact their SOS to be SURE they are registered.

[prolesunited]

11. I think in some places

you also can check with your county election board. I think some states also enacted provisional balloting that allows you to vote, and then they go back later to check if you were truly qualified.

[WilliamPitt]

13. Of all the places...

http://www.howardstern.com/

Click it.

[tom_paine]

15. kick

[prolesunited]

18. So, is anyone else

registering voters?

[JPJones]

21. Interesting stats on registration versus turnout

http://www.fec.gov/pages/2000turnout/reg&to00.htm

In 2000, 70-90% of the voting age population were registered.

But only about 60-70% of registered voters showed up at the polls.

While GOTV efforts are important, a pissed off electorate is better.

Some states seem to need a big effort in registering voters, though: Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia.

[whirlygigspin]

23. find your polling place here

https://electionimpact.votenet.com/justvote/pollboothlocator.cfm

send to a friend:

http://www.justvote.org/

[Duncan Grant]

22. Oct. 3rd is the deadline in most states. Here's another great resource:

http://www.drivingvotes.org/register.shtml

[AnnInLa]

24. Our Kerry Meet Up Group has

put together a list of unmarried female citizens who are not registered to vote. We have divided up the list and are contacting them by phone and in person. If you could join a Meet Up group, they have tons of ways to help get people registered. We are sure that LA is going for bu$h, but we feel that the more registered Dems there are, the more the local candidates will have to cater to us and our views.

[mopaul]

25. also......www.ReDefeatBush.com

is a good place to organize and register democrats to vote. thanks for the links prolesunited!

www.ReDefeatBush.com