Political Series Show 6 "Things
You Can Do Today!"
This show focuses on practical things that can be done in the final days
leading up to Election Day:
1. Internet and email: Spread the word to friends about the election, the
candidates, and the issues. Speak up for the candidate of your choice!
2. Take part in local efforts to distribute voter guides and other types of
political literature. Groups disseminate these in Church parking lots and
elsewhere, and this type of activity has been shown to affect elections.
3. Early voting and absentee voting: In many states, you don’t need to wait
until Election Day to vote. Do so early! And make sure that those who cannot get
to the polls on Election Day are reminded to request, complete, and mail their
absentee ballots.
4. Election Day itself: Take the day off from work, call your friends, and
help them get to the polls!
5. Poll Watching: You can volunteer to be at the polling places on Election
Day to help insure that the elections are conducted fairly. Inquire at your
local Election Board for more information.
6. Support the Candidate of your choice vocally and explicitly. Contact the
campaign, see what help they need. Use bumper stickers, yard signs, buttons,
envelope stickers, etc. And be sure to donate to the campaign!
Congressman Chris Smith:
"They have to be informed. I think a volunteer is worth his or her
weight in gold. And the more that somebody presents himself to a campaign and
says "I'm here to help. I'll work the phone banks. I'll stuff envelopes. I'll do
whatever you ask me to do." That person will not only help that individual who
is running, the pro-life candidate - the incumbent or the challenger, whoever it
is that wins, that had that benefit, will remember his or her friends. They'll
say, when I needed it most, when I was in a very tough campaign who was it that
showed up to put me over the top? So there will be an additional entree for the
individual, the group, in this case the pro-life movement to say look we need
your help. You know what it's like to be vulnerable in a campaign. Imagine what
it's like to be vulnerable as an unborn child and as a woman who is at risk of
having an abortion. We need your help.
"It's all about teamwork. I have learned because I have been a
candidate many times. You can't do it alone. You think you might be able to but
you would be a bit of a fool. You need a lot of people. Grassroots support makes
all the difference in the world. After the election it's extremely important for
the individuals to stay in contact. One of the things that we have learned is
that pro-lifers tend to think for this bill or that bill, oh Johnny or Mary are
pro-life we don't have to contact them. Their needs to be an ongoing educational
campaign even for our friends to let them know we are behind you whatever the
bill might be. This is what we think needs to be done. Frequency of contact at
the home district office or in Washington by way of faxes, e-mails, letters but
especially personal appearances. All of us hold town meetings. Show up at the
town meetings. Spend some time with your Members or with your Senators. If they
are drifting or are on the other side hold them to account. If they're your
friends, back them up."
Back to Main
Page
