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"Arizona is
changing. This is a state where either party can win any
office that is up for election. That might not have been true
five or 10 years ago, but it is true today. "
House Minority Leader Richard
Gephardt during a visit last week to Arizona.
GOTV
No, this is not a new basic cable channel. This stands for
Get Out The Vote and it's one of the most critical aspects of
any campaign season. It consists of: rides to the polls;
making sure people who want to vote by mail get their early
ballot; assisting voters who want to vote on-site by making
sure they know their polling location; working phone banks to
get Democrats and Independents to the polls; distributing palm
cards that include critical information on voting (by mail or
at the polls); and - very important - PCs communicating with
their precinct Democrats!!
If you're calling, writing, or visiting your precinct Dems,
here is some of the information you can share. This not only
assists GOTV but is viewed by voters as a public service. PCs
are usually warmly received this time of year because you come
bearing information voters need. Such as:
Voter registration: To be eligible to vote in the November
5th General Election, the last day for voter registration is
October 7th. It's easy in Arizona. Voter registration can be
done online; or voters can print out a registration form at
the same site; or they can request a form be mailed to them.
All of this can be done at http://www.sosaz.com/election/voterregistration.htm.
Another option: PCs should have in their possession voter
registration forms. If you know of unregistered Dems or
friends and family who are Dems but have moved recently, give
them the form. Your best bet: have them fill out the form in
front of you and then offer to mail it for them. There will be
no procrastination and no lost forms!
Early Ballots and polling locations: This Tip Sheet goes to
PCs all over the state. No matter where you are, you can use
one Web site to access your County information. Go to: http://www.sosaz.com/election/2002/info/county.htm.
For example, if you live in Pima County, you click on Pima,
which then lets you click for either voter registration
information or information on elections and where to vote. If
you click on the Pima County Elections Web Site, you get the
Tucson site that gives you polling places, how to obtain an
early ballot, and much more. NOTE: Many County links are
available through the State Democratic Party Website. If you
live in Gila, Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, or
Yavapai Counties, then make sure you give your precinct
Democrats THIS link instead of the SOS site: http://www.azdem.org/vote/countyreginfo.asp.
Remember: Early ballots must be requested by October 25th!
When you walk or mail to your precinct Democrats, give them
the appropriate Web site link for your County and your local
polling place. If you mail, include your phone number and tell
them if they need a vote-by-mail ballot, you can get them a
request card. Once you have their name and address, contact
the Democratic Coordinated Campaign office near you and
they'll send out a VBM request card.
It's Now or Never
As unbelievable as it sounds, the first mailing of early
voting ballots for the General Election is just 23 days after
the Primary Election! So, you don't have long to finish your
voter contacts. In past PC Tip Sheets, we have urged you to do
three things before the November general election: call once,
write once, and knock once before election day encouraging
votes for Democrats. You still have time, but you must start
now. If you do your part, we'll do great in the November 5th
General Election!
Here's a Sample
Whether you mail or walk, here's a sample of a card to mail
or leave when you walk. (If walking, make sure you take some
candidate literature with you. It's political multitasking,
and your candidates will love you!
Fellow Democrat:
This is the time of year when
precinct committeepersons, such as myself, are here to help
you as the 2002 campaign season is in full swing.
Register: If you know a Democrat who
needs to register for the Nov. 5th General Election, voter
registration is easy in Arizona. Go online at http://www.sosaz.com/election/voterregistration.htm.
Or, I'll be happy to get a voter registration form to you.
Call me at xxx-xxxx. Deadline to register for the General
Election: Oct. 7th.
Vote by Mail: If you want to vote in
the comfort of your own home and avoid long lines on election
day, request a Vote-by-Mail ballot at: http://www.azdem.org/vote/countyreginfo.asp.
Deadline for early ballot requests: Oct. 25th. If you do not
want to vote by mail, your polling place is xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
If you have questions, please call
me. If I don't have the answer, I'll get one for you quickly.
And please, VOTE!
That's it. Fill in the blanks and you've got it.
Take the Pledge
- The Arizona Democratic Party asks you to take The 5
Steps to Victory:
- register 5 people to vote
- sign up 10 people to vote by mail
- give or raise $100 for "Democrats United
2002," the Arizona Democratic Party's Coordinated
Campaign
- volunteer 20 hours at your regional field office during
election month (October 5th through November 5th)
- and take off work on election day to volunteer.
Finally:
As you can tell by the fact that this is the 12th PC Tip
Sheet, we're about to have our 1st Anniversary! If these
monthly communications have been helpful, let us know what
you've learned and how you've incorporated what you've learned
into action in your precinct. Send us a quick e-mail response
and we'll share some of your comments next month.
The
PC Tip Sheet is produced by
Rick McGuire
Ron Owen
and Joshua Weiss
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