A Strategy for 2014 We Can All Apply

Typically, voter turnout in mid-term elections is poor. And it's poor for both Democrats and Republicans. That gives us an opportunity in 2014 to focus on precinct-by-precinct, district-by-district GOTV efforts. Where contests are reasonably close, whoever turns out the most voters wins the seat, and there are many congressional districts that are closer than many might think this year.

Grassroots GOTV efforts could make all the difference in 2014, but will only work if individuals in each state make the time and devote their energies to those efforts. Rather than rely on conventional wisdom about mid-term elections, why don't we turn this election year one that changes that conventional wisdom? Rather than letting the teabaggers turn out their diminishing set of followers, let's turn out Democrats in numbers that are closer to a Presidential election year than a mid-term.

Of course there are districts where no Democrat could ever win. But, even in those districts, voters who turn out and vote for the Democrats can change the course of the Senate election in that state. Additionally, even in Red states, there are districts that aren't an automatic lock for the Republican. Double the usual turnout of Democrats in November, and those districts, too, can be flipped.

Join a GOTV phone bank team, even in some other state. Pick a district you think can be turned and make the calls. In your own district or in a neighboring district, sign up for door-to-door canvassing. If your district is a solid winner for a Democrat, find a nearby one that's not and volunteer in it to help the GOTV and canvassing efforts.

Start early. Volunteer on campaigns and on other efforts and keep at it through election day.

This can work, if enough people get on board.

GOTV 2014 and Beyond!