Democrats, Volunteerism, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV):

I doubt if I'd get much argument here that the passion for eliminating the George Bush presidency on our side has to be AT LEAST double the passion for retaining him on the Repub side.

A key to a Kerry victory in November will be massive Democratic turnout vs. Republicans, fueled by that passion, which was already evident during primaries, and grows with each new outrage that we learn about.

There will be a lot of money spent on a "grassroots" (meaning paid grunts) effort by the Repubs to get people to the polls.

Some of us may have money more than others, but what we all have to give is our time.

What kind of formal and informal networks exist that we can set up that don't require much money where we can volunteer our time, give people rides in cars, show them where their polling stations are etc.? Does it all have to be done through the local Dem Party organizations, or is there a lot of spontaneous activity on this? How can we help with this?

:kick:

candidate campaign organizations, and through groups like unions working with those organizations.

I'm not sure but the Meetup groups (meetup.com) might be doing some independent things. Moveon (moveon.org) is a great site for activism, too. And of course, one can find a lot of activism opportunities right here on DU!

This year, lots of people have also set up their own anti-Bush websites and are doing some independent work through the web.

I would say that work leading up to the election will be done by quite a few groups but that work on the actual day of the election--like driving people to the polls--will mostly be done by the Dems.

The best way to find out is to get involved NOW and start asking questions and volunteering locally with Dem clubs/orgs. The people you meet there will have lots more info about the local goings on than anyone here I'm sure.

Happy campagning and thanks for your efforts! :D

Ask around or google.
If you don't have a local Dem club, start one. That's what we're doing.
Then get a list of registered voters from your county registrar.
Pick the area or neighborhood you want to work in and start calling.
Something like "I'm doing a short survey for the Bumpty Bump Democrats and would like to know if you'll be voting for Kerry?"

"Hell no. I'd never vote for a Democrat in my...."
"Thank you." And hang up.
Put an "R" next to that name.
You're not arguing or converting, you just want to identify the Dems.
When you get a Dem on the line, ask about other registered voters in the household. Or those who need to register. Do they know where their voting place is? (You DO!)
Do they need a ride, etc.
There's a lot of good info on Kerry's website.
Go git 'em!