Working the polls for BJ ..

[jjockers]

My fiancee and I will be working at the polls most of the day tomorrow. We'll be encouraging people to vote for BJ (William Lawson). I do have a few questions.

As someone of the libertarian mindset, what is the best way to ask someone for their vote? I believe in educating people, and it just seems incongruent to tell someone to vote for BJ simply because I said so and they don't have time to listen. I also don't like *making* people do anything, though i know this is slightly different.

What is the best way to quickly ask someone for their vote? Many of you have plenty of experience with this, so I'd like to know what has worked best for you. I've been advised that people won't read passed-out information and won't much time to sit and talk, so my interaction has to be quick and effective.

I'd also like to know - should I simultaneously request a vote for Ron Paul? It's sad that I am even considering this, but there appears to be a stigma attached to Ron Paul republicans. My plan is to play it by ear: If I hear "we need to unite the party" then I won't mention Paul, but if I see some discontent, then I'll mention Paul. I don't know though - what do you think?

Thanks

 

[DrAmy31415]

Have a good sign and a very brief handout with a few bullet points about things like his fiscal responsibility vs. the opponent, his stance on abortion (if that's popular in that area), just a few contrast bullet points with Lawson vs. Cho, that show him to be a true conservative.

I wouldn't mention RP unless someone specifically inquires.

Take this for what it's worth, I have one day of experience "working the polls." I only mentioned RP to the Dems I was working with and anyone who inquired further (very few did.)

Oh, have a pic of him and his family on your sign or handouts if possible, he's got a nice-looking family--looks clean-cut and wholesome (I know that seems superficial, but it does help.)

 

[Cowlesy]

Just tell them you were amazed at his great message of Freedom, Peace and Prosperity and how he's a stalwart for the tenants of Ronald Reagan.

Don't think of it as educating, think of it as collecting votes. Pour the honey potion in their ears.

 

[DrAmy31415]

+1 for Cowlesy's suggestion, and thanks and good luck!

 

[Gadsden Flag]

When you say 'working the polls', I hope you mean hanging around near polling locations. In Missouri, anyway, you're not allowed to try to influence someone's vote if you are one of the people inside handing out the forms and stuff.

 

[yongrel]

You're not trying to teach someone about limited government and Constitutionality in 3 minutes; you're appealing to their existing opinions. Put Lawson's positions in the context of important issues, and tell people how Lawson will help them.

An excellent example of this would be the price of gas. BJ Lawson would work to remove oil subsidies so that the oil companies are held accountable to the consumer, not the politician. BJ Lawson would fight the inflationary Federal Reserve, which makes your money buy less and less gasoline. So on and so forth.

Frame your position in accordance with their previous bias.

 

[Cowlesy]

You're not trying to teach someone about limited government and Constitutionality in 3 minutes; you're appealing to their existing opinions. Put Lawson's positions in the context of important issues, and tell people how Lawson will help them.

An excellent example of this would be the price of gas. BJ Lawson would work to remove oil subsidies so that the oil companies are held accountable to the consumer, not the politician. BJ Lawson would fight the inflationary Federal Reserve, which makes your money buy less and less gasoline. So on and so forth.

Frame your position in accordance with their previous bias.

Exactly.

Do this. Whatever you think would make your heart tingle and give you a surge of patriotism, say that to a potential voter. Make it positive and uplifting.

"Gosh you know, politicians just don't understand the principles of our great country. I love that Mr. Lawson believes in what the founders fought for...mainly life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Most of these politicians are in for their own gain. Mr. Lawson seeks to return to our roots. To the days we were the shining city upon the hill. Instead of letting paid-for Congress people decide for us, Mr. Lawson knows that WE, the PEOPLE, know best -- and strives to make personal decisions once again be our own."

rhetoric like that that breeds a patriotic spirit. Your everyday dolt-republican (I'm a Republican so I can say that) equates anti-war with anti-patriotism. In the 7 seconds you meet that voter walking into the polling station, you aren't going to cure that. You can snag them on a heart-tugging patriot message especially since they've probably never heard of this Augustus Cho lunatic.

 

[DrAmy31415]

I'm not normally a yes-man, or even a man, but I have to give the ole +1 to Cowlesy and Yongrels posts.

 

[jjockers]

Excellent suggestions - thanks guys and yes-gal ! I like the picture idea, but I don't think we'll be able to implement that last minute.

You're saying in 3 minutes, I should introduce myself as a representative for William Lawson, find out what their pet peeve i.e. main issue/s is/are, then very briefly explain how William (his name on the ballot) will help their concerns specifically. Sounds fairly straight forward.

By "working at the polls", i mean we will be in the closest area designated at the polling location where which we can form peoples' opinions for them. Though I doubt it is normally worded as such.

 

[yongrel]

Excellent suggestions - thanks guys and yes-gal ! I like the picture idea, but I don't think we'll be able to implement that last minute.

You're saying in 3 minutes, I should introduce myself as a representative for William Lawson, find out what their pet peeve i.e. main issue/s is/are, then very briefly explain how William (his name on the ballot) will help their concerns specifically. Sounds fairly straight forward.

By "working at the polls", i mean we will be in the closest area designated at the polling location where which we can form peoples' opinions for them. Though I doubt it is normally worded as such.

You have way less than 3 minutes normally. Most folks don't want to talk to you. You get maybe 30 seconds. Old people and open-minded people will give you maybe 2 minutes.

You have about 30 seconds to get their interest and sink the hook.

 

[jjockers]

You have about 30 seconds to get their interest and sink the hook.

That's what I figured - 3 minutes is a gross over estimate. Nonetheless, 30 seconds should be enough.

 

[DrAmy31415]

Excellent suggestions - thanks guys and yes-gal ! I like the picture idea, but I don't think we'll be able to implement that last minute.

You're saying in 3 minutes, I should introduce myself as a representative for William Lawson, find out what their pet peeve i.e. main issue/s is/are, then very briefly explain how William (his name on the ballot) will help their concerns specifically. Sounds fairly straight forward.

By "working at the polls", i mean we will be in the closest area designated at the polling location where which we can form peoples' opinions for them. Though I doubt it is normally worded as such.

From my limited experience: I was the only Republican at the poll, there was a walkway going into the school building where we voted--since the majority in this area are Democrats (may be different there) I positioned myself second to the Dems that were stumping for Hillary and her delegates. If the people passing by the Dems seemed unenthusiastic, I would say "if you're Republican...perhaps you can help us get some of the following delegates to the GOP convention. . .and offered the literature.

Essentially, I came up with the strategy of letting the Dems filter out the potential interested parties for me. I learned quickly exactly what a lot of people around here think of Republicans.

I tried to read body language, some people do not want to be bothered and make it pretty clear--so pay attention.

Bradley was right--be positive. All I have to add to it is perhaps, casual dress, but not too casual. The majority will probably not want to stop and chat, but those that do--that's the golden opportunity. Have some good talking points--and give us an update when you can!

Once again, thanks and good luck!

 

[jjockers]

Thanks Amy,

I've talked with Garland (FireofLiberty here, works for Lawson campaign) and JoLynn, BJ's wife, about the best republican precincts. I also looked up the voting statistics for this district. All three resources concur - I have to travel about 15 miles to find any region with a decent republican population. No wonder I feel like I am surrounded by hippies! I will be at the precinct in my county with the largest % registered republicans and 1rst or 2nd largest # turnout based on the past few years - 15 miles away from where I will vote.

 

[0zzy]

BJ Lawson is my fav. Maybe he is the Reagan in this whole ordeal. (Goldwater is to Reagan as Paul is to Lawson)

 

[DrAmy31415]

BJ Lawson is my fav. Maybe he is the Reagan in this whole ordeal. (Goldwater is to Reagan as Paul is to Lawson)

Except that Lawson, or some other Paul "descendant" will be better and more capable, because we know that we have to get others in Congress to make it effective.

This can be so much bigger.

 

[jjockers]

Wow that was a heck of a lot of fun!! We worked Cheeks precinct - Cheeks precinct had the largest number of votes for Lawson (204) of all the precincts in orange county. 78% of the votes for congress went to BJ.

I am still trying to figure out where that 22% came from. There was an active and local-to-the-area Cho supporter (didn't think I'd ever find a real life one, but we did), but she didn't pitch Cho too well. In fact, she only supported him because he is the chairman for the county GOP. It didn't seem like she knew his stances on the issues any better than he does.

Anyway, we were there from 8:45 - 1:30, then 4:45 - 7:30 today. We took a recess during the slow hours to get some more resources. It was blazing hot today and I've a red neck to prove it. In fact, I think perhaps my redneck helped me later in the day: core republicans in this rural area found it easier to relate!

My fiancee worked within a group of poll-workers, just before entering the polls. I worked slightly farther out and was able to have some more meaningful, lasting conversation as no pollsters were around me. On the flipside, I could only catch about 2/3 - 3/4 of the voters. Nonetheless, two person system was fun and worked well.

Since I had time to say 'hi, how are you' (or something to that effect) when voters were 10-15 feet away, I was easily able to be friendly and still promote BJ. What worked best was anything that followed: "Would you be interesting in/willing to vote for/support a Republican for congress?" The democrats (seemed only about 25%, oddly) quickly walked away, sometimes mad, sometimes laughing, and I laughed with them, because the Republican party is pretty crappy for the most part - easy to empathize. On the flipside, republicans were IMMEDIATELY interested and seemed to feel obligated to vote for BJ since here was a real republican running. If I had time, I followed that up with the basic 'limited federal government, fiscal conservative' 'wants to protect and refund your civil liberties' 'wants to give you more money back and reduce taxes' etc. That stuff seems to work well.

I carried a constitution with a slimjim inside, and information behind the constitution that I disseminated.

We mentioned Paul on a few occasions (we had several signs up for him as well) and received surprisingly only positive responses from both republicans and democrats. I was able to quickly convince one couple to vote for Paul, Lawson, Erik Smith, and Dorty simply by listening to their concerns - they knew what they wanted, but had no idea (just moved in) who was on the ballot. I had a sample ballot that was already filled out by my fiancee in the car - that helped them a lot.

We of course picked up our signs after we left and also picked up the signs from other precincts.

Was definitely a fun time.

 

[amy31416]

Fantastic jjockers, great results, getting this primary for BJ helps breathe new life into this movement.

Thank you, and put some aloe on that red neck

 

[Cowlesy]

Wow that was a heck of a lot of fun!! We worked Cheeks precinct - Cheeks precinct had the largest number of votes for Lawson (204) of all the precincts in orange county. 78% of the votes for congress went to BJ.

I am still trying to figure out where that 22% came from. There was an active and local-to-the-area Cho supporter (didn't think I'd ever find a real life one, but we did), but she didn't pitch Cho too well. In fact, she only supported him because he is the chairman for the county GOP. It didn't seem like she knew his stances on the issues any better than he does.

Anyway, we were there from 8:45 - 1:30, then 4:45 - 7:30 today. We took a recess during the slow hours to get some more resources. It was blazing hot today and I've a red neck to prove it. In fact, I think perhaps my redneck helped me later in the day: core republicans in this rural area found it easier to relate!

My fiancee worked within a group of poll-workers, just before entering the polls. I worked slightly farther out and was able to have some more meaningful, lasting conversation as no pollsters were around me. On the flipside, I could only catch about 2/3 - 3/4 of the voters. Nonetheless, two person system was fun and worked well.

Since I had time to say 'hi, how are you' (or something to that effect) when voters were 10-15 feet away, I was easily able to be friendly and still promote BJ. What worked best was anything that followed: "Would you be interesting in/willing to vote for/support a Republican for congress?" The democrats (seemed only about 25%, oddly) quickly walked away, sometimes mad, sometimes laughing, and I laughed with them, because the Republican party is pretty crappy for the most part - easy to empathize. On the flipside, republicans were IMMEDIATELY interested and seemed to feel obligated to vote for BJ since here was a real republican running. If I had time, I followed that up with the basic 'limited federal government, fiscal conservative' 'wants to protect and refund your civil liberties' 'wants to give you more money back and reduce taxes' etc. That stuff seems to work well.

I carried a constitution with a slimjim inside, and information behind the constitution that I disseminated.

We mentioned Paul on a few occasions (we had several signs up for him as well) and received surprisingly only positive responses from both republicans and democrats. I was able to quickly convince one couple to vote for Paul, Lawson, Erik Smith, and Dorty simply by listening to their concerns - they knew what they wanted, but had no idea (just moved in) who was on the ballot. I had a sample ballot that was already filled out by my fiancee in the car - that helped them a lot.

We of course picked up our signs after we left and also picked up the signs from other precincts.

Was definitely a fun time.

Best post I've seen on the forum today.

Excellent work quickly weeding out by asking "would you support a Republican for Congress". That enabled you, I'd expect, to not waste time on those who'd you never have a shot with, and piqued the interest of those who probably wanted to learn more.

Excellent work and thank you so much!!!!!

 

[jjockers]

Hi Amy - was my pleasure. I'm two steps ahead though - one of the things we did when we took our break was to lather ourselves in aloe, and our face in a combination of aloe/aveeno/burt's bees cucumber something. Then, when we got back tonight, we aloe-ed again. Probably not going to help much though, but considering the outcome, I'm hardly suffering!

Exactly Cowlesy - it was a large (1rst or 2nd largest in county) precinct, so there were many poll-workers. My fiancee worked in what appeared to be a gauntlet of pollworkers. I was about 35 feet outside of the gauntlet (and nearest pollster), so that gave me ample time to start conversation and the voters ample time to read information as they approached the pollworker gauntlet. My fiancee worked near the end, closest to the actual polling location, so as to remind voters once again to consider William Lawson.

Now I can't wait to help for the general election..