voter registration on the street is FUN!

[DebJ]

After doing voter registration at a local grocery store this past Saturday, I sent an email to our coordinator about my experience, and he forwarded it to our group. Thought I'd share it here, perhaps someone else will want to join in the fun!
Funniest part of the day was the guy changing his registration from Republican to Bull Moose. Says he always registers Repub for the primaries then picks one of Pa's other 22 parties afterwards. At least he cares enough!
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Food for the Soul

This is an E-mail I recieved today that lifted my spirits and renewed my zeal. This is what it's all about no matter how many registrations you get. Together we can make every one count and make a difference in Election 04.
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This is Debbie Winslow. I was one of the volunteers last weekend. I
was having such a GREAT TIME talking to people, that by the time I returned to the church, it was a bit after three o'clock, so no one was there. I called and left a message that I would turn in the one registration I got (new Democrat) and the one change of party (Republican to Bull Moose!) myself at 1 West Market Street.

I also wanted to give you my feedback on the Weis near Hannah Penn. I found it interesting, and what I saw was in opposition to information generally received about people's interests in voting.

I talked to every single person who entered the Weis between 12:40 and about 3:10 pm, with the exception of two people I wasn't able to intercept. I asked people a) if they would like to register, and if they said "no" and didn't offer that they were already registered, I then asked b) if they were already registered. Only seven people told me both that they were not registered, and would NOT register. Six of those seven people were Caucasian. Only one African American was hostile to voting. Isn't that the inverse of statistical reports?

Since I talked to quite a number of people (60? more? I'll try a count next time), there exists some likelihood that some who claimed to be registered, are not registered, but wished to avoid further
discussion. However, a large majority were so affirmative and positive about the fact that they ARE registered, I think they were speaking the truth. The five or so who inquired as to who I supported in the race were all Kerry supporters themselves. The most expressive individual of these concerned citizens was Hispanic. If this sampling was statistically accurate, then most people in this area are already registered.

I HAD A REALLY GREAT TIME DOING THIS. IT WAS FUN, FUN, FUN. I thanked every person who said they were registered, with conviction in my voice. I often added, thank you for caring enough to vote. That always got a nod or smile....and if they weren't quite truthful, perhaps a bit of guilt later, ha!

I find that greeting people with a big smile and a Hi, how are you? makes them smile themselves, almost every one. You can brighten their day. That's fun of itself, to watch people in a hurry suddenly slow down, look up, brighten up and smile. I was not 'assaulting' them, but offering them a free service. "Hey, we're doing voter registration here today. Would you like to register to vote?"
No pressure, and no problems.

If you would like to circulate this email and my email address, I would be delighted to hear stories and tips from others doing voter registration, to compile them, and to pass them on (through you, perhaps, since you have the email list?) You could pass this along and see if anyone is interested. I'd be interested in any good tips, funny stories, statistical insights, anything.
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very nice E-mail which helps keep my zeal to keep going no matter how many registrations I get. Together we can make every one count! You can make a difference out there.

[faithnotgreed]

1. fantastic - and thank YOU for caring enough!