Seeking all Dem voters hiding in plain sight.
3 counties here in the middle of NC just completed a weekend that included 160 canvassing activities. I participated in 2 in my neighborhood— one on Saturday morning and one on Sunday afternoon.
Every Dem I met was damn glad to see me, to talk to me, and to get info on early voting in NC.
If they could have voted THAT DAY, they would have. We are chomping on the bit to vote right here right now. Dems are going to flood the polls as soon as they open the doors.
We focused on registered Dem voters who don’t always vote in primaries or mid-terms.
The neighborhood is white, black, latinx, and multiple ethnicities. I can’t tell you how eager our “occasional” voters are to hit the polls this fall. This includes folks who were talked into protesting with their vote in 2016 and so may have voted for Roy Cooper for NC Gov, but not Hillary Clinton for President.
None of that foolishness this year.
This year the answer is “Just give me a sample ballot and tell me who the Dems are. I’m ready to go vote. And so is my husband. And so are my two kids. ” (Nothing like losing an important election to help focus people’s attention on what is important and help them let go of minor differences that are not.)
So many folks thanked us for knocking on their door and passing on useful information about candidates, amendments, and early voting locations. Many offers of water, food, and shade. Good conversations and lots of updating of voter info. One new voter registration. Lots of big dogs who were all bark. One adorable puppy. Some goats, hens, and a horse for good measure.
Favorite unplanned interaction—
So, we were 4 white women in our 50s and 60s standing in the middle of a sleepy street with clipboards comparing canvassing notes. 2 young black guys (30s) in running gear jog toward us. I’m trying to figure out how to start a conversation with 2 guys about to run past us, when my canvas partner just calls out “So, ya’ll are both registered Democrats, right?” Everyone nods, laughs, shakes hands, and exchanges voter/voting info.
Bonus—
Our one immigrant canvasser (from Austria 30 years ago) spoke to the one immigrant couple (from Burma/ Myanmar who became citizens this year) on our route! Much welcoming ensued.
If VA can (and did flip their state House), then so can we in NC. We need 4 flips for a sustainable veto for our Governor, and 16 flips to take the House. WE WILL get at least 4 flips. I say we retake the House.
If AL can pull off a huge upset (and did), then we can get another Dem on to the NC Supreme Court.
Some folks get fightin’ mad. (Think Notre Dame University sports teams.)
This year NC Dems are Votin’ Mad.
Don’t be angry alone. Find other PO’d Dems shouting at their TVs and bring them with you to vote.
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Oh, and the ICE demand that 44 NC counties turn over their voting rolls, ballots, and recent registrations?
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FTS, baby.
NC Dems have successfully delayed that action until next year. And then? Our state’s Attorney General — Josh Stein— has an office full of excellent lawyers who will meet them in court every day of the week, if necessary. We will put ICE on ice and ship them back to Trumpsky’s little tower in DC.
Not everyone can physically canvas. It may suit you better to check into phone banking, programs to text action alerts or voting reminders to Dems, writing postcards, talking one-on-one with neighbors, and chatting up young folks in the grocery store line. Every action counts. Every vote matters.
Break time—