Sunday, August 26, 2012

More on defeating voter suppression

In my previous article, "Getting out the vote amidst voter suppression," I discussed some ways of tackling voter suppression efforts going on in certain states.

Another major factor will be organizational get out the vote operations.   For example, the AFL-CIO's super-PAC Workers' Vocie and MoveOn.org recently announced that they will combine forces to encourage voting in battleground states.  They plan on making about 1.5 million phone calls by Nov. 6.

The Obama campaign and the Democratic Party will also launch their voter turnout efforts, which will be quite expansive.  Additionally, many progressive organizations have major get out the vote operations including:

  • League of Women Voters
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Rock the Vote

Other organized labor organizations and minority advocated groups like the NAACP will have their efforts to complement those above.

A recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll suggests that Barack Obama has a large lead among people who are unlikely voters. Therefore, Obama and also probably Democrats in general should benefit from more people going to the polls.   The poll also suggested that many of these unlikely voters would be willing to vote if given a little nudge.

After Labor Day, many people who have been sitting on the sidelines up to now will start volunteering more with campaigns.  We should see action really start to pick up at that time.

For the Obama campaign, turning out voters may make the difference between victory and defeat.  Additionally, it could also influence who controls the House and Senate.


President Obama samples a baked zucchini fry in the Old Family Dining Room after the Kids’ State Dinner Aug. 20, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
















President Obama samples a baked zucchini fry in the Old Family Dining Room after the Kids’ State Dinner Aug. 20, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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