Fellows Training: The Importance of Voter Registration
The first session today was focused on voter registration. Since May 10, our campaign has been focused on registering voters across the country because, as field organizer Adrian told the Fellows, "Change happens because you step up and take part in your community."
Adrian spoke about why we are registering voters and what are the best tactics to use. Here's what she said...This election gives us the biggest opportunity in years to change the electoral map by registering new voters.
Recent Obama voter registration drives have helped register more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible.
By adding new voters to the voter rolls across America, we can reshape the electoral map, not just for this campaign but for local campaigns as well; we can mobilize a new segment of the voting age population and put communities and states into play that have not been seriously in play in years.
The best tactics:
- Plan ahead. It is infinitely easier to register voters at schools, churches, mall or retail stores if you have a friendly local connection to help you get in. Respect the rules set out for you at that site.
- Register anyone who approaches you and wants to register - respect their right to vote.
- Target your activities to communities or organizations that are more likely to have people who will vote for Barack in the fall.
- When asking if someone is registered to vote, sound cheerful and look them in the eye.
- Talk to everyone. You must engage people proactively to get them to register. Remember, you are inviting them to take on one of the greatest honors and responsibilities of American citizenship.
- Play things by ear. In some places (schools, grocery stores, etc) arranging to get a voter registration table is the best way to reach people. In other places, it's best to just wing it.
- Wear something that shows people that you're with Barack Obama.
- Always be respectful. You represent Barack Obama.
The best sites to register new voters:
- Be sure to target Democratic or Obama-friendly areas
- High traffic areas (beauty/barber shops, grocery stores, mall, laundromats)
- Blind-knocking apartment buildings in Obama friendly areas
- Bus or subway stops, parking lots (ride the bus or the underground)
- Local community events, concerts or sporting events
- Churches in Obama-friendly areas
- Schools, churches, young people hangouts
- Anywhere people would stand to be waiting, like the DMV, movie theater, or gas stations
- Local community meetings or centers
Supporters, along with our Fellows, will be holding voter registration drives all summer long. Take action and use the information above to start a drive in your town!
Fellows in training.
1 comment:
"Listen to Barack" Tees available on our website
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