What's the best way to get involved in the upcoming elections?

[lvx35]

To help Dems? I know there are a lot of people around here who are really politically involved, so I feel a little embarrassed asking this...but I originally came here as a liberal news junky, and now I really want to help out. Any good ideas?

[rurallib]

1. Learn how to hack the Diebold machines.

beat them at their own game.

[lvx35]

2. hehehe! doesn't sound too hard if I had physical access.

Unfortunatly, WA state has doesn't allow them, we do all mail in voting. :)

[madeline_con]

3. Do what you can to get...

your local Dems into office, or keep them there, whichever the case is.

Then move on to bigger fish.

[lvx35]

4. what really helps, money or time?

I make about $15/hr. Is it better to save up some cash, or to do some volunteering?

[LincolnMcGrath]

6. Get down to your county party HQ right now!

[Spangle]

13. Depends

Volunteering is great, if you have the time to do so. I learned so much stuff by doing so. One really gets a chance to see how much real work all this takes.

However, it does take money to get things done. Many people donate to the DNC, and totaly forget to donate to their local Head quarters. The donors assume it all goes into the same pot. It doesn't. That leaves the local office really short funded.

The sooner one donates, the easier it is for the local office to make plans for what they are able to do/accomplish. Even $5 helps.

If you have alot of like minded friends, you can host a party and gather donations to turn into the local office. Stop by the office and pick up canidate material, etc. That way your guest can make out checks directly to canidates of their choice as well. The local office will make sure the canidates get the funds. Or you can contact the canidates office as where to drop off/mail the funds.

[lvx35]

17. I hadn't heard that, thanks.

I always thought a donation at democrats.org was a donation to all of them equally.

[madeline_con]

15. Unless you have a lot of money, give time. n/t

[LincolnMcGrath]

5. Get down to your county party HQ right now!

Call me when you get there! :hi:

[lvx35]

8. I think I know where they are, but I'm not sure they are open so late.

but I can just drop in?

[LincolnMcGrath]

11. Yep! I would think that would fine.

There is always something to do.

People to cook/bring food

Phone work

Absentee Ballot requests (If Applicable in your state)

Sign stapling/distribution

Ballot Couriers

Parade Walkers

Fundraiser Hosts

and on and on....

[GregD]

7. Find your local Dem club or central committee

Ask them what help they need. If you have special skills, share them. If you can afford to do so, support candidates and your local party mechanism. As we get into Fall, volunteer to do phone banking, precinct walking, and so on.

Our central committee had a meeting last night to discuss what our goals need to be for the next 3 months. It came down to: fund raising to support local efforts and candidates, recruitment of precinct captains and other volunteers, voter registration, pre-election GOTV organizational efforts.

[welshTerrier2]

9. here you go ...

http://www.diebold.com/careers/careersearch/careeropp.htm

[bananas]

10. Tell everyone you know to verify that they are registered to vote

Voter suppression will be a big factor this election.
See this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x446050

[lvx35]

18. That's a GREAT idea...

I'll be on that one right away.

[Robbien]

12. Three good sites which have links to local activism groups

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

http://www.pdamerica.org/

http://www.democrats.org/

[seriousstan]

14. Become a poll worker, not a watcher or challenger.

They have no power at all. Only the poll workers are sworn judges with the power to shut down machines, determine voting methods and enforce rules.

[LSK]

16. find your local election board website and try and show up

Go to meetings, sign up to work election day, etc etc.

For example here is my local electionboard website: http://cms.dupageelections.com/main.asp

Or contact the local candidate campaign and see what they got to for you to do.

Or at the very least, donate money.

[lvx35]

19. Great thanks.

I will contact mine tomorrow.