I've been asked to be a Precinct Captain! (What does that mean?)

[IdaBriggs]

I'm extremely flattered; I volunteered a while back, but never heard from anyone, then today I received a call asking if I wanted to be a "Precinct Captain." I was told we need to get information on the 1200 voters in my precinct with hopefully at least ten other volunteers helping. I go in for training on Monday. I'm excited. Anyone done this before? Any suggestions? :)

[Cleita]

1. I've been precinct walking. My captain is the

person who organizes us, trains us and keeps us supplied with the materials we hand out to people, like voter registration forms and other election aids.

Good luck. Is nice that you want to get this involved.

[Kukesa]

2. Me too, Ida.

When you go to your training meeting you'll receive lists of voters in your precinct; the Repubs are not listed, only Dems, Independents, and "inactive" (which means they've previously registered but haven't voted recently).

You'll get a Walking Script with suggestions on what to say when people open the door.

You'll also receive voter registration and absentee voter cards and cards to sign up other volunteers.

The rest is up to you -- you'll need to start canvassing your precinct and meeting your neighbors.

The best of luck to you and congrats for taking on this very important project!

[never_get_over_it]

3. It also means

at least it did for me as a precinct captain that you organize the people that will be working at your polling place on election day. This may vary from state to state but in VA we had workers outside the polls handing out sample ballots and folks working inside the polls checking off people as they vote...this is used throughout the day to get people who haven't voted yet out to vote. We generally signed up three workers two outside and 1 inside in two hour shifts. Another cool thing I got to do was to be inside when they counted the vote - that will probably vary from state to state and in VA you have to have a signed permission slip from the party to observe the vote count - one person per political party.

[NWHarkness]

4. Good for you!

I'm on a little bit of a campaign to get more DUers off their computers and out working as precinct captains.

The previous posters are right on the money. Basically, you are the liaison between the campaign and the voters in your neighborhood.

I was out for about 2 hours today with my questionnaires. Almost everyone I talked to was enthusiastic about Kerry!

[dorktv]

5. It means you are now Lord and Master of your domain.

Basically it means nagging people to vote. It can be stressful but the satisfaction in knowing that YOU made the difference is great.