Shame could get people to polls

[Freddie Stubbs]

Project tells neighbors who shirked civic duty

August 3, 2004
BY PATRICIA MONTEMURRI
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Mark Grebner wants Michiganders to ETOV.

That's "vote" spelled backward and the nickname he's given his experiment to shame 3,700 Michigan residents into voting.

If Grebner has picked you for his experiment, he'll let you and your neighbors know whether you voted today in the primary. And then he'll tell them whether you vote in the Nov. 2 presidential election.

Grebner, an East Lansing political polling consultant and longtime Democratic Ingham County commissioner, said he believes the glare of scrutiny might be the perfect prod to motivate people.

more: http://www.freep.com/news/politics/vote3_20040803.htm

[prodigal_green]

1. sheesh...don't know if I care for this tactic

While I think everybody should be encouraged to vote, voting is still a personal and private decision. How would we feel if this were being initiated by Republicans?

[dflprincess]

2. I don't like this

I get fed up with people who don't vote (at least show up and cast a blank ballot if you don't like anyone) but as said by other poster - it is still an individual choice. Besides, who's to say why you didn't show up at the polls? Maybe you planned to vote but wound up in the hospital the day before the election (this happened to a friend of mine several years ago).

[A_Possum]

3. Stupid, if true

Completely unwarrented invasion of privacy.

Somebody should stop this guy.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Voting records are open to the public

He is simply publicizing information that is already in the public domain.

[A_Possum]

6. It's an invasion of privacy to "give it to your neighbors"

It's one thing to be on record, it's another thing to hand it out to people.

All it would do is piss people off, a pointless exercise.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. But it will be interesting to see

if this effort actually increases turnout.

[LisaM]

4. Same guy who outsourced signature-checking on Nader petitions

to India.

He is a Democrat - I've met him -- but he is also a well-known crank. He just rubs people the wrong way and this is a terrible tactic, I agree.

[5thGenDemocrat]

8. I'm one of those 3,700 Michiganians -- Polly is another

I vote in every election, and I'd just as soon people know it. The guy doesn't have any interest in HOW you voted, just whether you voted.
John
I'm kind of interested in seeing how this all works out.

[AmerDem]

9. heavy handed to say the least!

Hell, a Democrat doesn't need to adapt the behavior of a fascist repuke to get votes. The message along with keeping promises is the most solid effective way to have people vote.