Need info-WHAT can I put on a Voter Registration Table?

[liveoaktx]

I need to know what anyone who has done this actually has on the table, from signs in the front to literature. I'm thinking about putting out Kerry bumper stickers and pins, along with a flyer about all Dems in our area up for election and possibly a double-side sheet with Bush on one side and Kerry on the other. Also would have a clipboard for signups if anyone wants to volunteer to help. (Naturally, I have the forms and am already set up as deputy registrar).
So, can I get some examples and specific instances of the mechanics of how you've done this? (Or seen it done?)

[FighttheFuture]

1. How about a draft registration form for age 17 - 60?

[ginamac]

20. Ooh, I like it

Just having a stack of official forms on the table and mentioning it ("Young man, did you fill out your draft registration yet? Ma'am, do you have any sons turning 18 this year?") would make a point sorta kinda subtly. Hm.

[NoPasaran]

2. My table

For a non-partisan location:

Registration forms
Clipboards
Signs: "Register to vote" AND "Moved? Change your address here"
Pens. Lots of pens.
A dish with some candy
Scotch tape for taping receipt copies to completed forms
Big envelope or baggie for completed forms

The best kind of tape for putting signs up or attaching to a table is clear packing tape, the kind that you would use in a tape gun. Masking tape doesn't hold up well in sun and breeze.

For a partisan tabel add:
Candidate signs
Bumperstickers
Buttons
T-shirts or any other sort of gear you have to sell
Literature
Signup sheet for volunteers

[liveoaktx]

3. So there's not a problem with having it be partisan, right?

I was thinking about printing out some of Kerry's press releases and having them handy. It's not as if the voter registration table HAS to be partisan, right? I think I have seen a Republican voter reg table but I wasn't paying attention at the time.

[crispini]

4. Yes, you can do

partisan or non partisan voter reg, your choice, and that of the venue.

[NoPasaran]

6. It all depends on the location

If you're on public property or going door to door you can be as partisan as you wish. If you're on private property or at somebody else's event it's normal to have to be non-partisan: no political stuff on the table, don't wear any political buttons or clothing. And if people try to talk politics we have to smile and tell them that we have to be non-partisan.

For about the last month we've had a table at a grocery store on weekends. They let us set up in the shade next to the door. All we have on the table are voter registration materials as provided by the county and a homemade "Moved? Change your address" sign. That's an important item, especially since this store is surrounded by loads of apartments full of people new in town. Every weekend we register enough to keep going back.

[GOPisEvil]

7. There are some venues that allow partisan registration.

Bookpeople in Austin has no trouble with the Austin For Kerry group registering voters out in front of its doors.

So, check with the venue. :-)

[ginamac]

11. excellent list!

Thanks, NoPasaran, will print out for future use!

A couple of other possibilities:

You might want to wear a nametag and maybe bring some stickon ones for anyone helping you. It's nice for people to see both a name and a face registering them.

I haven't done this but I think I'll try it: You know the spiel you give about "here's your receipt, you should receive your card in 4-6 weeks, but if you don't you can vote using this, if you don't get your card you can call the tax office ..."

I might print and copy some little slips of paper that explain this to hand out with the receipt. Since it doesn't say on the receipt what it's for, people might forget. And as we get closer to the election, more people might NOT get those voter registration cards in the mail in time.

Which brings up another point: could add to that info slip tips on how to find out which precinct they live in (and therefore what senate district, congressional district, etc., and where they can vote). Depending on where you live that could be by calling the county, visiting their Website, calling local party HQ, whatever. Important for new voters who might have no clue about any of this and, feeling unsure or embarrassed, stay home. Not the desired outcome!

My ideal setup would include being in a place that had wireless access and having a laptop set up so you can check to see if a person is already registered (if your county provides that on the Web), find polling place information for someone, stuff like that... I think it would be really cool.

[NoPasaran]

12. Thanks, ginamac

And welcome to DU!

A lot of people do ask about where they can vote. This is a good opportunity to tell them about how great early voting is, they can vote anywhere in the county instead of the polling place in their precinct.

[ginamac]

21. more on early voting

The county Website (Travis anyhow, for those reading this who are elsewhere) has a list of the most recent election's early stations and mobile stations; FWIU this might change some before October but they tend to be relatively stable. Could have a list on hand and point out to the person their most convenient early voting place, while making it clear the locations aren't guaranteed yet and letting them know where they can find out for sure.

Also made me think that starting, oh, about now, a poster for the table with early voting dates might be a good addition.

I love all your informational stuff at the bottom of each post. Room for austinforchange.com? It's starting to get more useful tools posted, I think it will be helpful! Just an FYI.

[crispini]

13. Watch out for something!

You wrote:

I might print and copy some little slips of paper that explain this to hand out with the receipt. Since it doesn't say on the receipt what it's for, people might forget. And as we get closer to the election, more people might NOT get those voter registration cards in the mail in time.

This seemed a little unclear to me so I just wanted to clarify. The GREEN forms are the ones that come with a receipt, register you instantly and and must be hand carried (not mailed) into the office by a deputy registrar, not mailed. (At least in Dallas county) The white forms do not come with a receipt and can be mailed.

[ginamac]

19. guess it varies by county, so caveat deputy registrar!

We're using the white mail-in cards for all registrations (or PDF printouts even), no green forms (I've seen what you're talking about though). We have separate books of receipts that we sign as a deputy registrar and give the original to the registrant and tape a copy to the card that we are going to hand-carry to the tax office. Thanks for pointing out the lack of clarity in my explanation!

[liveoaktx]

24. Not so, depends on the county

I had gone to the grassroots meeting at the state convention, where someone was talking about the green forms. When I went to the county, they looked at me like I was nutty. I called the state and they ALSO didn't know what the heck a green form was (while I was insisting, No, I remember it was a *green* form).

Turns out that every county can have a different way of doing the forms. We were given a rectangular receipt book, along with the standard white forms. So, if someone is out of the county, we just give them the form, but if they are in-county, we can sign them up AND we give them a receipt from the book.

[CitySky]

5. Justice

If it's partisan, please consider sharing information about David Van Os, running for the Texas Supreme Court.

http://www.vanosforsupremecourt.com/

Peace!

(newbie) CitySky

[GOPisEvil]

8. Welcome CitySky!

My Van Os sticker is getting placed on my car today! :hi:

[CitySky]

15. Thanks!

So give me the thumbs-up next time you drive by me with my 3 stickers -- Van Os furthest to the left. ;)

BTW, I also wear my Kerry pin - on a HAT, right by my face, you can't miss it if you look at me smiling at you - when I'm out in public nowadays.

Today the 21-yr-old checker at the drugstore commented on the pin... turns out he didn't know who Kerry WAS. Admitted he oughta get more informed about what's going on... so I'll adopt this one, okay? (Let's see, what else do I need from that drugstore?)

[ginamac]

22. DVO rocks!

I've seen him speak three times now and it's always a treat. WHAT a coup it would be to get his bold self on the TSC! I have a bumper sticker and I made myself a yard sign with a couple of his placards and Teacher Heaven lamination. One of my goals in my precinct is to ensure that people who lean Dem but don't vote straight ticket know how important this seat is and they should be sure to check the box for David.

He had a great post last week on Blog for America. Check out http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005003.html
Plus he wrote some more in the comments thread answering a question someone asked; scroll about halfway down on the above-referenced page for that.

It was a great rally all around, with most of the Travis County Democratic candidates, DVO, Richard Morrison, and Howard Dean, plus afterward the training and swearing in of about 100 new voter registrars out of the crowd of about 1,000 at the rally. And we had five TV stations and several other media representatives show up, woo-hoo for the DFT PR committee! I was running around like a little ol' chicken trying to get questions answered, sound feeds changed, news conference with Dean set up. What a day! We learned a lot!

Hey! 'Peace' is MY sig! ;-)

(also newbie)

[CitySky]

23. Thanks Ginamac!

Sounds like you and I are leading somewhat parallel lives in Travis/Harris counties: going to some great events, getting people moving, and signing up with DU!

Welcome aboard to you too, and thanks for the link to DVO's comments.

Love, Peace, Chicken Grease
(is that better?)

CitySky

[ginamac]

9. Well, according to what they told me...

when I took the oath as a deputy registrar, you really can't do any of this stuff IF you are going to actually register folks on the spot.

My understanding is that you can have a partisan table all you want and are free to pass out voter registration cards and answer questions about them.

However, if you are going to put on the "deputy registrar hat" and do the things you're empowered to do such as check the ID of a new voter, sign and hand them a receipt, and take that card and turn it in for the registrant, you cannot be acting within the context of pushing any candidate, issue or party. You have to be bipartisan.

All the voter reg work I've done in the past few months, we've just had the "Register to Vote" posters provided by our county (Travis) and other informational handmade signs such as "Change your address" and "It's fast and easy!"

I was told that even if someone comes up to you and wants to talk about politics, you have to politely tell them that as a registrar you can't do that.

Maybe they're just uptight here, but I would check with your tax office or whomever deputized you for the straight skinny on this.

[ginamac]

10. Well, maybe I'm too uptight!

I just got a chance to look at some other replies, so I guess my understanding was too conservative. I guess I've just always worked places that had already made it clear that partisanship was not welcome.

So you go!

[crispini]

14. Oh, and...

some TOTALLY bitchin voter reg resources here... scroll all the way down to the bottom:

http://www.dallasforkerry.com/committees/field/voterreg/

[CitySky]

16. You CAN be a partisan Volunteer Deputy Registrar

... at least in Harris County. That's what the little book says. It SPECIFICALLY says you *may* endorse a specific party or candidate while registering people in Harris County.

Sounds like maybe the rules vary from county to county.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi ginamac!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ginamac]

18. Glad to be here!

Thanks for the welcome! I used to be the "welcome wagon" on a blog I frequented, I agree it's important. Glad to see y'all think so too! :party: