PolicyReader
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2012
- Messages
- 3,399
Politics has always been pretty big in my family, we'd often talk issues the way some families talk sports, I remember watching the Oliver North testify when I was young (must have been about 4 I guess). I've been a poll worker etc. and I think I'm falling prey a bit to my own blind-spots. Intellectually I know that most people don't vote, even among those who register in the first place and that party primaries (and local elections) tend to get lower turn outs on average. But even knowing that on a cognitive level it's still hard for me to picture someone actually not voting because it's so far from my own paradigm.A key part of state and county campaigns is transportation ... that's how you win a campaign. Here's the thing most people would be shocked about: in many cases people who get polled and say "I'm voting for Candidate A" or "I'm voting for Candidate B" never actually show up to vote. It's a rarity to have a "perfect voter" these days who actually goes to vote at a caucus or votes EV/Absentee in a primary/general. Most people just talk and never do. And they think on the day of the election they can show up with the poll closing in 30 minutes that they can race out and vote, then decide at the last minute "bah, traffic, I'll just go home."
I was a poll watcher in 2010. I saw people STANDING IN LINE decide to go home. People are so sensitive and in general thin skinned, hence why democracy virtually ensures that none but bad and dangerous men ever rise to the top of government ...
That story about people who were in line and just walked away...


And in this election, well that astounds me doubly. Doing GOTV efforts for places like ND and WA and having some of the people saying they weren't going to show up because of when they got off work.. well let me contrast it my buddy in Idaho who works graveyards skipped a night of sleep and brought people in his car when he went to caucus. I guess it boils down to, I knew I was an outlier but I didn't realize how much of one

EDIT: Now THIS is more my speed

And to you good sir, thank you +rep and if I hear anything I'll be sure to touch base.QFT.
I may be able to help on the Big Island from Hilo to Mt. View side if anyone hears of any need.
I've got several voters to deliver between 6-8 p.m. to HD5 pcts 5-1, 5-2, 5-3 (Mt View, Glenwood, Volcano) New Hope Volcano, 11-3019A Volcano Rd, Volcano, HI
PM me with details of any needs, I'll be checking for messages off and on up until roll time.
afwjam is also on Hilo side and may be able to help.
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