A different kind of road trip

by Eszter Hargittai on July 16, 2004

Here’s a way to go on a fun and useful road trip this summer: drive to swing states to register Democrats to vote. Driving Votes provides all the necessary forms and helps you coordinate with others.

{ 5 comments }

1

Jeremy Osner 07.16.04 at 3:17 am

Ellen wrote a nice piece about our bus trip out to Pennsylvania for canvassing last weekend. It is currently the next-to-topmost item on my blog.

2

Richard Bellamy 07.16.04 at 2:12 pm

I’m in Pennsylvania, but the part I am in (Bucks County) is pretty evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

I’m not exactly sure what I could do in terms of registering voters that wouldn’t garner about an equal number of votes for both candidates. It’s not like you can ask them who they’re voting for and then not give a registration card if they give the wrong answer!

3

Jeremy Osner 07.16.04 at 2:40 pm

Richard — we were in Hatboro (Montgomery Co.) where the registration runs 3 Republican to 1 Democrat — the thinking is that (a) educating people about the issues will move them to vote out Bush and (b) increased turnout always favors the Democrats.

4

jon. 07.16.04 at 6:35 pm

how about driving to different states to get nader on the ballot?

5

Jim Miller 07.16.04 at 7:48 pm

We agree, though for different reasons. Those on the far left are precisely the people I want to see campaigning for the two Johns in swing areas.

There’s some anecdotal evidence that just those kind of people helped Dean collapse in Iowa. And that was in a Democratic caucus, not a general election.

So remember these guides, as you try to register voters: Wear your most interesting clothing. Smear Bush at every opportunity. Snear at anyone who doesn’t think that Michael Moore is telling “essential truths”.

Oh, and just a warning from the last election. Exchanging cigarettes for votes is illegal in Wisconsin — even if you donate heavily to the Democratic party.

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