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Democrats of the 38th Assembly District have the distinction of having created one of the first Get Out the Vote (GOTV) organizations to be chartered by the California Democratic Party. Democratic Neighbors of the 38th AD seeks to mobilize Democrats neighbor to neighbor to "turn our district Blue DN38 seeks to build a permanent precinct organization throughout the 38th AD which stretches from La Crescenta to Glendale, northern San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley and Santa Clarita. The organizational meetinga are held on Wednesdays, at 6:30 p.m. at Carrows Restaurant, 18505 Devonshire St., Northridge, CA 91324. Dues are $20 biannually Interested Democrats are invited to attend. "We are seeking people who are committed to form a relationship with their Democratic neighbors to educate them about issues and candidates and encourage them to vote in every election. I think this last election has restored some confidence that government can represent the people's interests. This is a good time to launch this organization." Goals Overcome Republican registration advantages in the district with a focused, localized effort to increase Democratic turnout Establish Democratic activists as a voice for the party in their respective communities Compliment existing groups where there is already a club presence - and provide an institutional structure to retain volunteers and identify leaders in under-organized communities in the 38th AD. Precinct Organization MEANS - Assign one Governor for each of the 14 Districts of the 38th AD to coordinate STANDARDS - Governors will recruit Neighborhood Presidents who will
recruit Block Captains during election campaigns and retain increasing numbers of them for permanent
activity until the entire geographic area is covered. Governors will develop or distribute existing
informational materials on local Democraticand community organizations to be used to link
Democrats to local Democratic Clubs and other resources. Fundraising to meet estimated costs of activities MEANS - Collect dues, mail appeal letters, host events,
distribute memorabilia in recognition of contributions.
STANDARDS
Dues - $2000 bi-annually Appeal letters - $500 every year Events - $500 every year Memorabilia - $100 every year Frequently Asked Questions What's a precinct?
The smallest geographical unit in politics; typically, a neighborhood, but based on a number of voters. Why do we walk them?
To identify supporters and to bring the message to those who are not supporters: by ringing the doorbell & talking to them, answering questions, leaving literature. If they're strong supporters, we invite them to join as volunteers, take yard sign, etc. Do we knock on every door?
Usually just registered voters, & which ones depends on the election. Sometimes only Democrats, sometimes Decline to State (independent). We may also want to knock on doors with no registered voters in order to try to register additional voters. How do we know which houses?
You get a list showing name, address, phone, age, party, whether they voted in the last 5 elections (P=went to polls, A=voted absentee). All this is public record. You also get a map of the precinct, a script that you can follow if/as you like, copies of a flyer on Dean, voter registration forms & absentee applications for people who want them. What if they're not home or the precinct is not walkable?
We can also phone them, usually with a script from the campaign, to ID voters, answer questions, send stuff to them
if they want.
Do I have to do my own neighborhood if I don't want to?
No, you can choose to do a different one. However, it is convenient to do one's own, and
contact from a neighbor has been shown to be the most effective way to connect with voters.
What happens with the info we gather?
It's coordinated for the next step: try to convince people who are leaning, recruit volunteers from the strong supporters, finalize the ID process for getting out the vote. We might walk again, or phone. What is "Get-Out-the-Vote?"
GOTV is reminding the ID'd supporters before the election to go to vote (or vote absentee), supplying rides/babysitters if necessary. On election day, precinct captains will keep track of who has voted on the list posted outside the polling place door, and contacting those who have not voted yet to get every identified supporter to the polls.
Carole Lutness Cell: 661-755-3772 CaroleLutness@att.net |