General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs Individual Local Election Activism Worthwhile?
That's my poll question today. By individual election activism, I mean working on things like GOTV, fundraising, phone banking, campaigning, precinct walking and canvassing, volunteering for candidate campaigns and other personal commitments of time in your own local area to help elect Democratic candidates where you live. Candidates for local, state, and federal offices who represent you in your own area.
What say you all?
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It's Crucial and I participate as much as I can. | |
1 (100%) |
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It's Crucial, but I don't have the time or energy to participate much. | |
0 (0%) |
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It's Important, but I don't think it makes all that much difference. I still do some stuff though. | |
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It's Important, but I'm more interested in national stuff, and focus on that more than locally. | |
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It Doesn't Really Matter that much, so I don't spend any time on election activism. | |
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It Doesn't Matter at all, since all candidates win or lose depending on how much money they get. | |
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I have personal issues that prevent me from participating in election activism. | |
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I Post on DU. Isn't that enough? | |
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None of your business. | |
0 (0%) |
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Other, because I like to vote in polls. | |
0 (0%) |
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0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)MineralMan
(146,317 posts)I hope you're successful in 2014.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)MineralMan
(146,317 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)MineralMan
(146,317 posts)All of my efforts are local, since that's where I can do the most. I don't have a national or even statewide voice, really. I do have a local voice, and I use it.
Marr
(20,317 posts)In fact, I think it's probably the level at which an individual can make the biggest difference.
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)Thanks for your reply.
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)if you want to see more votes. I'll be back later to respond to replies.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)and might make people think they should just go out and knock on doors themselves, outside the directives of a particular campaign or organization effort. I would highly advise against that. When you volunteer to canvass or phone bank for a campaign, you are generally given some modest training (what to say, what not to say, how to respond to various situations), and a script to read or adapt. Also, you don't go door to door to try to convince people: you're going to get specific information for the campaign: who is and isn't supporting your candidate ... so that they CAN contact supporters when it's time for GOTV and coordinate with poll watchers on election day to mark off names of professed supporters who have completed voting.
So with that proviso--don't try this at home on your own, kids--of course: local activism is not only worthwhile; it's essential. Do it wherever you can.