A New Voter's Tale

Hi, my DU friends.

As a few of you know, I decided months ago, as a citizen of Battleground Ohio, and a student of Election 2000 and the looming BBV issues (thanks, Bev!!), that the most crucial role I could play in the upcoming election involved Voter Registration. I marched myself down to my County Board of Elections, raised my hand, and was sworn as a Deputy Registrar. It was easier than becoming a notary. I'm not even certain that you have to become a Deputy Registrar in order to hand out forms, but I wanted to be certain that I was squared away legally. I also attended a seminar, so that I could inform new voters as to what they could expect at the polls.

At the end of last week, I had registered 12 new voters. I've been busy all week, and as of today, Tuesday, May 18, 2004, I'm up to 21. I don't even begin to get political when registering voters, but I can assure you that 20 of them are firm Kerry voters. :D

This morning at work, one of my coworkers approached me privately. "Can you do me a favor?" she asked. "Of course," I answered. She said, "Remember last week when you were collecting those papers and asking each us if we were registered to vote? Well, I told you I was, but I lied. I was embarrassed. Don't tell anyone...?"

"Not a problem! Here's the form for you. It takes 30 seconds... be sure to sign here..." I'm not one to pass judgement... I want it to pass as easily as possible. She then said:

"I just wanted you to know... that... well, I'm embarrassed that I'm 35 years old, with three kids, and I've never voted. But I hear you and everyone else around here talking about how important it is, especially now. And how much Ohio matters this year. That president of ours makes me cringe every time I see him. I didn't think I could make a difference... but... maybe I can, huh? I mean, it seems easy."

Me: "OF COURSE YOU CAN!! You don't even have to stop at changing the president. You can change your community. Sign right here..."

Coworker: "I just always felt... too stupid to vote. I don't follow politics, or the issues. But I've changed that. I started following everything, and I think I now understand that there's only one thing I can do."

Me: "Vote?"

Coworker: "Yeh. Can I have one of those for my husband, too?"

By the end of the day, seven more coworkers approached me for voter registration forms.

Remember, my DU Friends. One heart, one mind, one voter at a time. Let's get active. Let's win this thing.

I love you all, and thanks for listening to my story,
Jennifer :-)

You made me :cry: Great work and thanks for the inspiration. I love ya! :toast: :hug:

Keep fighting the good fight, you're a great inspiration!

:yourock: :toast: :yourock:

We can take back our country!!! It's staggering, when you really examine it, how many opinionated, but non-voters exist in your circle. Take a look around you. Put your money where your mouth is. If we register new voters, we will win this thing. Republicans are scared to death of new voters. We all learned the hard way what lengths they will go to to prevent voting.

NEW VOTERS KICK ASS!!! Talk to your friends and coworkers! They want change... and they want to know what they can do. It's oh-so-simple.

:D :D :D

Rock the Vote in '04,
Jennifer

YOU ROCK for waking so many of them up!

Keep up the good work, honey! Ya done good!

If I didn't have a mortgage and job to worry about, I'd follow Al's advice and move up there for a little over 30 days to add to the number!

We're so proud of you!!!!!!
FSC

And if you're a recent ex-Buckeye, do think about maintaining your voter registration in our state. It's best if you vote in person, but absentee will do... I don't trust the absentee vote, but it's better than nothin'.

:D

or solid blue states to move to Ohio for a few weeks to a few months to affect the vote.

Not that I'm not tempted--anything to help, but I have a job, a house, and I've never even been to Ohio.

Thanks for the thought, but talk to some other folks with leases ending soon and no big ties to where they are. I think they'd be better candidates.

FSC

Arkansas, Florida... c'mon DUers!! Rock This Vote!!!

I'm more optimistic today than I've been since December 2000, let alone the rockin' Dem Primaries that kicked off this party!

Rock it! Register Voters! Hang signs proudly in your windows! Bumperstickers, proudly displayed on your cars!! I SEE DU PEOPLE.

I also see people who are ready to take their country back... :D

ROCK THIS VOTE!!! Get energized! Organize! Stop the War! Install a Democracy!! Get it goin'!! Party all the way 'till BOSTON!!!! And beyond!!!

Energized and excited by all I've seen,
Jennifer

There may be a big surprise come election day. I related on another thread that last night my 42 year old brother, who has never voted, informed me that he and his wife have registered. And it ain't to support the "War President." <snicker> The same thing happened with my mother in law. These are people who didn't vote because "they (the politicians) are all the same." President Sockhead has apparently changed their minds. Frankly, I'm amazed.

What's interesting here is that if these people are representative of any sizeable group (and I believe that they are), then what does this mean for the elections for other offices. At this stage, I think that the Democrats have a very real possibility of taking back both Houses of Congress as well as the WH.

Anger, frustration, shaking-of-heads... it's out there. You know you feel it. We may be the "Underground" but that is exactly where change begins.

I'm blown away that 90% of my friends and coworkers have never voted. It is imperative that we end the apathy NOW. I tend to think that many folks were just waiting for a message. They hear it now, loud and clear. All of the Bush/Rove ads in the world can't mask the Nightly Horrow Show viewers are treated to on their televisions, from Iraq to unemployment to higher energy prices to Medicare. People are waking up. People are ready to make waves.

TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS. If they aren't voting, challenge them to vote. If they haven't voted in years, challenge them to vote again. WE HAVE THE POWER. I was never a Deaniac, but he did show me the way. For that, I am eternally grateful.

ROCK THE VOTE, DUers!!!

Thanks for sharing! :)

And I'll bet there are MILLIONS more like your coworker. You handled ithe situation splendidly.

People must realize that they not only hold the power to change the President, they have the power to change their community. Out with the crap school boards, state legislators, Governors, Congresspeople, Senators... we have the power!

My coworker, a wonderful, thoughtful, hard-working lower-middle-class woman, said to me, "If he's not going to fire Rumsfeld, well, I guess we'll just have to fire the whole lot of them our damned selves."

Word!!! Spot on!!! Give all of 'em the COBRA HAND! You're FIRED!! Rock the Vote!!

:wow: :headbang:

Great for them, great for you!!! Great for me
(tears of joy).

You done good, girlie.

:hi:

about half of which have never ever voted before. btw, they all ask for my opinion now on all things political and all intend to vote dem.

You kick ASS!!!

:dem:

jen.

huzzahs!

Excellent work! One voter at a time. One mind and heart at a time. One conscience at a time.

:yourock:

Kick.. :-)

:dem:

:toast:

:)

... new voters.

Thank you for pointing that out, Alerter!! Get on your neighbors, friends, coworkers... it they haven't voted in years, implore them to get back on track NOW.

We can fire the whole lot of them our damned selves, as my coworker taught me. We have lessons to learn from new voters. Keep your ears pricked, my friends!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

So don't be the last kid on your block to buy one!

I take requests too. You want a different slogan under the logo, let me know.

You want something on a specific item, let me know.

I was just thinking...

My coworker said to me, "So he won't fire Rumsfeld? Well, can't we fire the whole lot of them our damned selves?"

Yes. We CAN.

That's the beauty of democracy, and it's a crucial message to convey to new voters. WE HAVE THE POWER, at least right now, that is. WE HAVE THE POWER. We can hire and fire our damned selves. We can give the "you're FIRED!" cobra-hand to this entire administration. We don't have to accept their over-reaching and arrogance. We are not bound by their will. Rather, we're bound by our own will.

The majority of Americans are employed in relatively demeaning positions, where they feel powerless and unable to affect change. Democracy is the last refuge of such citizens. Yes, they can bring about change. Yes, we do have power. Yes, we can transform this great nation into what we were promised as children.

If there are enough of us, they will abide by our call. All the BBV and dirty tricks in the world won't change our power. It's in our hands. Register your friends, family and coworkers to vote. Put the power back in the hands of the people, where it was always intended, and where it truly belongs.

It's easier than you think. :D

;)

Most impressive!!

I have volunteered to work the polls here in Palm Beach County. They made me a clerk. I intend to make sure everyone who is potentially eligible to vote on election day does get to do so. Unfortunately we are using the Sequoya Elec. Voting machines. I can only hope we have receipts available come November. But I intend to remain vigilant and will scream bloody murder if I see any irregularities.

Thank you so very much, scarletlib!!! It's crucial that people like you volunteer to monitor and provide voter education at the polls!

THANK YOU!!

My first job was the democratic primary. No problems for that day except for some republican yo yos wanting to vote and one registered democrat who wanted to vote for bush. that was one person I know who did not cast a vote that day.

We actually did have trouble with one machine and it went down but no one had voted on it. Some tried but it just wouldn't work.

There will be plenty of provisional ballots for people to use. But If we do not have a paper trail I will vote absentee and advise others to do so as well.

Good for you! That is so awesome!

:loveya:

D

Where ya been, Dennie?

I miss your voice, and you,
JenJen

ps wanna move to Ohio for a few months? I doubt Cali needs your help... ;-)

:bounce:

a HUGE :thumbsup: one vote at a time... Excellent perseverence... may you inspire many of us to do the same. Most of the folks I am in regular contact with, regularly vote. I did bring one (and her hubby) on board last fall... and she brought her Mom on board this primary (though the Mom, I believe, is a repub... the other two are much more dem leaning.) Think I ought to ask the question more often - to learn who I assume is a voter, who isn't... and get to work on her/him...