Need some help from Philly or Pittsburgh folks

[whitewomenforobama]

I'd like to organize a DU effort to send hot food to folks waiting in particularly long voting lines. Cheap, hot, and deliverable food would be preferable, something that would appeal people of all ages, and pizza comes to mind. I think it might be most effective if DU adopts a single city -- this would maximize the chances local media might pick it up and inspire similar efforts in other cities, and it seems like having more people involved would help keep whichever shops we use honest.

I'd like to contact a trustworthy, Democratic-friendly, preferably mom 'n' pop pizza shop in the selected area, and organize interested DU folks from all over the country each to send a pie or two to be delivered at random to people standing in lines. It would be stressed that these pizzas were NOT connected to any particular candidate or party, and that all voters were welcome to partake -- no litmus tests for pizza here. We'd have to be very careful not to violate any election laws or to be seen as trying to bribe voters or anything similar, and should check in with local officials to make sure all is in compliance.

My preferences for choosing a city/polling location: low-income, predominantly Democratic, ideally with a GOP governor or mayor, and maybe predominantly African-American, where voters are more likely to encounter longer lines, suppression, and other problems. Cold-climated areas, where voters waiting in long lines face additional challenges, is another consideration.

Philly and Pittsburgh, which have the additional extraordinary challenge of no early voting, seem to be good prospects.

My questions are these:
Do you think this is a worthwhile effort?
Would you be willing to support it?
Which specific polling location in Pennsylvania would benefit most?
What would be the best times to have food delivered?
Can you recommend a few good, trustworthy shops near this polling location to carry this out?

Thanks for any help you can give!

[Barack_America]

1. Honestly, this could be difficult to execute in Philly.

You'd probably have to go through the individual ward leaders otherwise something like this would arouse suspicion.

But if you'd like me to point out some particular wards that meet your criteria, I'd be happy to do so. I've spent a lot of time canvassing the 51st ward and it certainly does.

[whitewomenforobama]

7. I hadn't thought of that

Any suggestions on how to deal with that? What do you think would happen?

[Barack_America]

10. IMHO, the best thing to do would be to donate to the Obama campaign offices.

The ward leaders will be taking care of their own. And the Obama campaign will be paying them street money to help them get people to the polls. But the Obama campaign will have their own volunteers to double up their efforts. And those volunteers will need food too. North Philly and West Philly are the parts of town that are both predominantly African American and poor. I'm certain the Obama volunteers will be working very hard in these communities on Tuesday.

I wish I could give you better advice on how to navigate Democratic machine politics other than just "avoid them", but I can't. :(

[whitewomenforobama]

11. Thank you, Kristi1696!

That's a great suggestion. The ward system is completely unknown to me. We've got precincts, but it's all very informal, and I'd forgotten to consider wards at all.

[murielm99]

2. What you may need

are some porta-potties and some people to stand in line as place holders when folks have to step out for a moment.

There could be chaos.

[whitewomenforobama]

4. Excellent suggestions, but I'm in Texas.

Sending pizzas to people in line is all I can think to do from here, but I'm grateful for any other ideas.

[gauguin57]

3. Don't ask the Philly folks ANYTHING tonight ... they're in the streets partying their asses off.

Phillies won the series.

[whitewomenforobama]

5. Ah! Then congratulations, Philly!

:toast:

[in modern times]

6. Even here in Allentown

There are fireworks and people partying in the streets.

[RamboLiberal]

8. I don't think you'll see long lines in Pittsburgh area

Allegheny seems decently organized with polls. I've never heard of long lines taking hours here. I'm outside of Pittsburgh still in Allegheny County. 5 people in front of me would be a long line. Every election since I was able to vote I've never had to wait.

[whitewomenforobama]

9. Hmm. Anywhere else where this might do more good then?

Ohio? Florida? Georgia?

[EmilyAnne]

12. I think Ohio would be better because that's where we need to squeeze out every last vote. I think it

will be a lot closer that in PA.

You could probably contact a field organizer through the Obama website.

Its a very kind gesture, by the way!

[whitewomenforobama]

13. Thank you, EmilyAnne,

are you very familiar with Ohio? Would they have ward leaders to deal with? What would be a good city there? All I can think of is Cleveland.

[AllentownJake]

14. Want to help Allentown, PA?

Low income area in Center City

Precincts 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,and 15 are within walking distance of the office.

PM I'm a staging director in the area and I'll discuss it with my field organizer.

[whitewomenforobama]

19. That would be great! Please let me know what you find out!

And thank you!!!

[cap]

15. don't give up on Philly

things are tighter than what the polls say. Philly itself isn't close...but it is necessary we have massive turnout in Philly. I believe we will win but we cant let up the heat. It is critical that Philly flushes every last Democrat out of the bushes.

Free Food is a great idea because poor people are going hungry now. I'd do it in the evening... starting around dinner time.... 'cause people will be leaving work and going to the polls.

51st Ward in Philly is good. North and West Philly must turn out every last man and woman. I'd use the chain's Dominos, Pizza Hut, etc. They are set up for this kind of thing... especially if you get your order in advance.

[whitewomenforobama]

20. Great info, thanks!

What about ward leaders? I've been cautioned I might run into trouble with them. We don't have anything like that here in Texas, so I don't know how all that works.

[cap]

22. you're talkin' free food, sista

Philly LOVES to eat. Call the campaign and tell them you want to send pizzas down there way and you need some coordination. There's poll watchers at each polling place that you might get to help coordinate the delivery. I would send the pizza to the Democratic poll watcher at the polling place and let them set it out.

Get on the Philadelphia mailing lists through myobama.com and you will get hooked right in.

[whitewomenforobama]

23. Thanks!! /nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. How about Kansas?

I am sick, laying on my couch and would love a pizza.

And I already voted. :)

[LostinVA]

17. Make sure it's iegal -- because it may not be

"Vote buying," etc.

[whitewomenforobama]

18. If I make it clear that the help is for ANY voter though

do you think it would run into any problems? I'd start from the get-go, from the placing of the order, not even mentioning a particular party or candidate. And honestly, I feel warmly enough toward ANYONE willing to stick it out for hours in line to vote, that I'm happy to help them out if I can.

[AllentownJake]

21. We hand out water and snacks in line

Shouldn't be a problem.