Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 11:19 PM Jun 2015

I've got a 1 woman registration drive going for Bernie/Dems

There are far too many Americans who are not registered and do not vote, but can be motivated to do so by a rare, honest, candidate like Bernie Sanders. I've registered 10 senior citizens who moved to new addresses and needed to do so. (9 registered as Dems; 1 as an independent). First I picked up a few voter registration forms at my public library; then I contacted my county's board of election and requested 40 more.

I've lived in my area (southwestern PA) for some 45 years and have heard a totally unprecedented and very positive buzz about Bernie Sanders among people who normally display no interest in politics. I strongly suspect many of them are among the 60% of people in my state who are either not registered at all or never bother to vote. Some of them may even think they are registered and not realize that if they moved to a new address or haven't voted in a specific number of years, that they are no longer registered. So I'm planning to be pro-active in talking up Bernie's candidacy while distributing voter registration forms - also offering to help fill them out - including explaining that in my state, one can't vote for Bernie in the primary unless one is registered as a Dem.

For example, the young (around 30) man who cleans out my gutters 2x a year and generally makes a living doing handyman stuff, is a pretty bright, good hearted guy, but with only a high school education. When he comes by later this week, I'm going to tell him what a great man Bernie is and why I'm supporting him for President. Then I'm going to give him a voter registration form and ask him to register now, so that after he learns more about Bernie and if he is motivated to vote for Bernie in the 2016 primary, he'll be able to do so. Then I'm going to give him more blank registration forms and ask him to talk to his family and friends about registering to vote.

I have found people really appreciate being specifically asked for their vote. Don't be shy - get out there and PROSELYTIZE!

Also, be sure and explain your state voting regs for college students away from home.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I've got a 1 woman registration drive going for Bernie/Dems (Original Post) Divernan Jun 2015 OP
K&R..... daleanime Jun 2015 #1
Colleges should be explaining student voting rights, esp. public colleges. merrily Jun 2015 #2
I heart YOU BrotherIvan Jun 2015 #3
How great it is. Paka Jun 2015 #4
Yes! And THANK YOU! dreamnightwind Jun 2015 #5
K&R Thank you Divernan!!! Scuba Jun 2015 #6

merrily

(45,251 posts)
2. Colleges should be explaining student voting rights, esp. public colleges.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 11:26 PM
Jun 2015

I so agree with you that voter registration is important. Democrats have been a lot less organized about it than Republicans.

Other important things: absentee ballots and paper ballots. All the voter registration and GOTV in the world won't fix rigged voting machines. These are all things on which we can act locally.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
3. I heart YOU
Tue Jun 16, 2015, 01:09 AM
Jun 2015

People think money is the only way to win, but it's activists like you who can make a difference.

Paka

(2,760 posts)
4. How great it is.
Tue Jun 16, 2015, 01:42 AM
Jun 2015

What a good thing you are doing. I live outside the US and we have registration drives here, but we have to extend ourselves farther to find US citizens who aren't registered. Among expats, a large number are well informed and motivated. Something about having to leave the country in order to survive that heightens your awareness.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
5. Yes! And THANK YOU!
Tue Jun 16, 2015, 02:59 AM
Jun 2015

He speaks for the disillusioned, many of who no longer vote. We need to register as many of these people as possible. I hope to do something similar in my area.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Democrats»I've got a 1 woman regist...