My primary GOTV effort is in my own Precinct in St. Paul, MN. I try to knock on every door in the precinct. I carry campaign literature from all DFL endorsed candidates and talk about people's individual issues when I talk to them. They tell me their issues and I tell them how the candidates will work to solve them. Then I ask them if they're registered, and help them register if they are not. I ask them to go to the polls on election day and support their DFL candidates.

Most people are receptive and will discuss the things that concern them personally. It's a way into the discussion.

If anyone's looking for ways to get involved with GOTV efforts, here's a thread that lists some of the ways anyone can help:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025504948

state Assembly candidate in a primary to get him on a small party line.

In a few weeks things will ramp up for the November election.

my own and with my own funds, and am gathering literature and will be meeting with local Dems for the first time on the 18th (I'm new in this town) to see what I can do to help and get calling lists, signs, etc.

having a working Democratic organization. I just moved, too, and even though it's just one town over there are a lot of changes.

One thing stays the same, though-- you're dealing with volunteers and start to really understand that herding cats thing.

I know the frustration!

Keep up the good work, TB, and thank you for your efforts so far and for your work that follows.

Every chance I get I engage friends, neighbors, relatives and sometimes strangers by talking politics. In most cases I know the situation and political persuasion of the friend, neighbor or relative so I'm able to customize the discussion to their situation. If they have kids in college - I talk about student loans. If they have medical problems - I talk ACA. If they lost their job and just squeaking by - I talk about how jobs can be created (infrastructure rebuilding, etc); raising the minimum wage; equal pay for equal work; etc.

I try and bring it around to telling them how to avoid voting against their best interests. I point out that the Repubs are on the wrong side of almost every issue. I stress how important it is to vote in the Nov election and the importance of winning back the House and maintaining the Senate. Most of the people I speak to are too busy to get into politics in any real way and are easily influenced by political TV ads or talking heads. You hear them in response spitting back talking points they hear on the MSM newscasts or in political ads for or against a candidate that is running for office. I offer the competing views and try and make them think about what they are saying and what the truth might actually be - that they just don't have the time or desire to learn for themselves.

I try and get them shaking their head yes when I feel that they are grasping the importance of voting in the Nov election. I try and get them to promise me that they will go to vote and vote to protect their interests rather than voting against their interests.

I do this because I figure if I can turn a few on to the importance of their voting and how to vote so that it helps them - I figure I have gained one vote for the Dems in Nov. And human nature being what it is - I figure that I might even get them to influence their friends, neighbors or relatives to do the same.

I know that this is a harder way to do this - but it is the only way I know that I've been able to reach people in the past.

I also stress the importance of their vote. I talk about the money be raised and spent to get them to vote. I cite political ads on TV, the newspapers and the internet. The point I like to make is that a lot of people are contributing and spending a lot of money to basically buy your vote. They must think your vote counts if they are willing to put such a price on it.

I point to this to get them to understand the value of their vote.

This is - I hope - winning the election - 1 vote at a time. I know it's a slow way of doing things - but it is effective. I urge each and every one of you to do the same when talking with your friends, neighbors and relatives. GOTV.

because I do all those things too. Drives some of my peeps crazy. I also find that some people just don't want to hear it and, when I ask why that is, it's usually because they deem it depressing. You know, as in reality is depressing. They don't even realize (or look at it as if) they are acting in their own worst interests.

I have to shake my head, sometimes, at how some people simply waive their voice in matters of life - and sometimes death.

I do that every week.

for du'er http://kellywestlund.com