Action 234: Prepare for November!

Background:  Now that the primary election is over, we don’t have to wait to go on the offensive.  We can start preparing for November, NOW.   

NO REPUBLICAN SHOULD BE ELECTED UNTIL THAT PARTY REFORMS ITSELF SIGNIFICANTLY.  Thus, our focus needs to be on defeating Republicans, and electing Democrats or those who align with our values.  (For a refresher on those values see https://hancockdems.org/our-values/ ).  Note: The winners in the three major races (Senate, Governor, CD2 Rep) all have roots in Hancock County or adjacent North Haven.  We are truly the point of the spear that is going to puncture the MAGA balloon. 

Action:

In the attached table are the candidates for offices in Hancock Co.  (If you are in a different county, you can make up a specific list for your county.)  You can enlarge the table to readable size on your computer screen.

First, on the table, highlight the races that pertain to your town.  For example, if you live in Orland, your races are: US Senator, CD2 Representative, Governor, County Commissioner, Probate Judge, District Attorney, Treasurer, Sheriff, Senate District 7 and House District 17.   

After noting your races, make plans to promote your candidates.  Do not focus solely on the big races!  The downballot candidates need local help even more, and any effort you put in will make a big difference.  

Contact your Town Democratic Committee and Volunteer!  If you need the contact info for your town committee, here is where you can find it:  https://hancockdems.org/municipal-committees/

Help your local committee define and organize their campaign for the next 4 months.  It should involve door-to-door canvassing, which has proven the most successful way to get out the vote for a candidate. You can easily advocate for a “blue wave”, by providing information on all the candidates simultaneously.  More info on that coming soon.

Choose at least two activities from the following list. Your choices should be realistic, things that you know you WILL follow through on.    

Canvassing for the Democratic slate:

·      Create or assemble relevant literature

·      Be a canvasser!  Go door to door with literature and have discussions!

·      Drive a canvasser.  Your time, vehicle and gas money are valued.

·      Be a canvass data manager, recording responses and new volunteers

Assist a specific candidate:

·      Drive your candidate as they knock on doors

·      Fundraise for your candidate – be part of their team.

·      Donate money to your candidate(s)
           

Events:

·      Organize a houseparty for a candidate or group of candidates

·      Organize forums and public speaking opportunities

·      Volunteer to provide refreshments, decorations, invitations etc.

Publicity:

·      Make road signs!  You can recycle signs from candidates who didn’t win, by painting them a solid color and then putting on new designs and slogans.

·      Put out road signs on September 22

·      Create a postcarding group and send cards to Get Out The Vote for your candidate(s)

·      Write a letter to the editor about why your candidate deserves support.

·      Do a bit of opposition research and write a letter about why their opponent does NOT deserve support.

November 3:

·      Be on-call to help voters get to the polls       

·      Be a pollwatcher to help prevent voter suppression.  You can watch in your town, or contact the League of Women Voters and be a nonpartisan election observer in some other town.  LWV offers valuable training on what to look for, and how to report a problem.

November 4: 

·      Drive around and pick up those road signs!

DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT.  We are all players and our team needs us.

Lend a hand, help Maine live up to its motto, DIRIGO