Full Circle Events - Pagan Voting Project

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING:

Part I: How To Set Up

A Voter Registration Table

Getting Started:

Follow the 3 simple steps below to get started. You will need to recruit and train a voter registration team, develop a plan, and gather together voter registration materials for your state.

Recruit a Voter Registration Team

As a Voter Registration Team Coordinator, you will recruit and coordinate a team of Earthwise volunteers to carry out a voter registration drive. Each Voter Registration Team is comprised of a minimum of 5 or more people who work together to plan and conduct voter registration activities at your event or in your neighborhood. The more people you recruit for your registration team, the bigger your campaign and the more people you will register. Larger teams also help create excitement and maximize visibility, and you can divide up areas of the event or neighborhood and have different groups of team member’s focus on each area.

It helps if you look like a team, so try to dress in the same colors or wear the same t-shirts, badges, or pins, so that people know they can come up and talk to you about your project. You can dress is “High Pagan” garb or in normal, everyday wear, it’s your call.

Set goals and develop a plan for your group:

Set a high goal for your group. The number of people you are working to register will depend on the size of your event.

Next, develop a plan for reaching Pagans and others with the Voters’ Pledge cards and voter registration forms and information. Focus on locations and activities where Pagans and Pagan-friendly people are present. .

Some Ideas

Set up weekly or daily Get Out The Pagan Vote voter registration tables in high traffic locations and decorate your table with balloons, signs, and banners to attract interest. At least two or more team members should always work together – and don’t just sit behind your table waiting for potential new voters to come to you. Approach potential registrants with clipboards and ask if they’ll sign the Voters’ Pledge and register to vote.
Go to university classrooms. Ask professors to allow you to pass out voter registration forms at the beginning of class and “walk students through” how to fill out the form, collecting completed forms at the end of your presentation or at the end of class.
Go to Metaphysical & Pagan bookstores, herb stores, healing centers, and organic grocery stores in your area and ask to set up a table there during high-traffic times. (Make sure that you don’t interfere with their business, or they won’t invite you back!)
Work with your local Women’s Center, inter-faith groups, Gay & Lesbian Centers, and other Pagan-friendly places to help you get out the vote. Their members might help staff your table, as well.
Register people at Pagan and Pagan-friendly events that attract a large proportion of potential voters. Concerts, public rituals, workshops, special lectures, fundraisers for environmental and animal causes, and various festivals are all good choices. Remember, you’re targeting Pagans and others in the Earthwise community for your voter registration drive – so think about the kinds of events and activities that would attract your target population.

Assemble voter registration supplies and materials

1. Voter Registration Forms – you will need to get a sufficient supply of official voter registration forms for your particular state. (Voter registration forms differ from state to state. Although you can use the National Voter Registration Form, states generally prefer that you use their official state form). Consult the GOHV Voter Registration Guidelines chart or call your Secretary of State or County Registrar of Voters to find the nearest location where you can pick up a large supply (500 or more) of your state’s voter registration forms. For a quick supply in a pinch, you can go to any post office and pick up a few.

You can also print out and copy the National Voter Registration Form. Again, however, states generally prefer that you use the official state voter registration form and may impose special requirements if you use the National Voter Registration Form.

Be sure you review how to fill out the registration form with your team, “walking through” a sample registration before launching your drive. Familiarize yourself with the instructions so you can answer questions Pagans might have about filling out the registration form.

Know your state’s registration deadlines – usually these fall 30 days before the November 2, 2004 general election, but some states allow same-day registration. Consult our Registration page or call your Secretary of State or County Registrar of Voters to verify registration deadlines.

2. Pledge cards – have a large supply on hand. These Pledge cards are to be filled out by everyone you talk to – not only newly registering voters, but also already registered voters and voters who are re-registering after moving to a new address. You keep these filled out Pledge Cards – we recommend getting a file box to organize your cards. You’ll use these cards to build your voter files to be used in the fall to contact and mobilize voters to actually vote on November 2.

3. Copy our list of 13 Reasons Why Pagans Should Vote on brightly colored paper and hand these flyers out at events. Buy some cute stickers, and have these handy to give out to those who register.

4. Clip boards and/or table(s), pens

5. Display Notice of Non-Partisan Voter Registration

Important! – YOU MUST DISPLAY THIS MESSAGE WHEN TABLING:

“Our voter registration services are available without regard to the potential voter’s political preferences. Information and assistance regarding registering or voting, including transportation and other service offered, shall not be withheld or refused on the basis of support for or opposition to a particular candidate or particular party.”

SAMPLE PLEDGE CARD WORDING:

Make the Pledge: This election will impact vitally important issues for my future, my country, and my world. I promise to vote. I promise to make sure my voice is heard and my issues count. I will make a difference.

First Name or Craft Name:

Email address or Phone number: (So that we can remind you to vote)

Signature:

Our Pledge to You: We will send you updates as the election approaches and remind you to vote. We will not share this information you give us today with any other agency or group, except as necessary to fulfill legal registration requirements.