Trick or Vote

Cody Hoesly

Studies show that the single most effective way to increase voter turnout - among young people and all other people - is to knock on doors and simply ask 'em to vote.  What's the one day every year when people expect someone to come to their door?  HALLOWEEN - October 31. With election day set on the first Tuesday after November 1, Halloween always falls just days before the day that ballots are due.

Riffing on Jesse's piece on the Lane Bus Project's Trick or Vote, I'm here to tell you about the Portland Trick or Vote.

Let's gather progressive organizations and volunteers, get decked out in Halloween costumes, and go door-to-door to promote democracy and increase the vote.  We might be too old to trick-or-treat, but we are never too old to TRICK-OR-VOTE!  This is a fun, family-friendly way to get politically involved, do your civic duty, and help others do theirs.

Also, if you come out and canvass for a few hours, you get into the post-party for free.  It'll be at the Crystal Ballroom and will feature top local bands such as The March Fourth Marching Band, Thomas Lauderdale and China of Pink Martini, QuiVaH and more.

Details:
When: October 29th, 2-6:30pm; Party starts at 8:00pm
Where: Staging at the Crystal Ballroom and deploying around the city
Why: To Get Out the Vote!

  • James J (unverified)
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    Thanks, Cody and all Bus Project folks who are working so diligently for positive change for the future of Oregon.

    For more information on why everyone should vote, especially: progressives, Dems, Enviros, civil/human rights advocates & Moderate Rs and Ls, See my post at:

    http://blog.onwardoregon.org/

    GOTV ! James Jacobson Eugene activist

  • spicey (unverified)
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    anyone know if this is happening in Brading's turf? I'd like to send some Gresham friends out to do this. Thanks.

    Spicey

  • Garrett (unverified)
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    Great idea!

  • Scott Beutel (unverified)
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    Hello Spicey and anyone else wondering about Turf,

    We are going to be doing turf in close in Portland including apartments in Downtown and NW and more traditional neighboorhood turf in inner SE and NE. Our focus is on areas that are the most youth dense and these are the areas with lots of young people. We would love to have people from all areas at this event so please come even if it is not in your immediate neighborhood.

    18-30 year olds vote at the lowest rate of any age group so we need target these folks agressively. This is a group that has not used its collective political voice in the past and needs some active encouragement. Building Votes, the Bus Projects non-partisan youth voter registration program just finished registering over 16,000 young voters and Trick or Vote is a big part in our effort to make sure these folks cast ballots. This is a great chance to be politically effective and have fun at the same time! GOTV in a superhero costume is just more fun.

    Thanks for the interest, Scott Beutel Trick or Vote Co-Organizer Oregon Bus Project

    Sign-Up to Trick or Vote at trickorvote.com

  • Jon (unverified)
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    Yeesh...one more reason not to answer the door on Halloween.

  • Jonthegrump (unverified)
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    Jon - Why so grumpy?

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Trust me, knocking on doors of young people and telling them to vote, especially to vote your way, isnt going to help. If anything it will hurt. If they werent going to vote before having some hard core liberal knock on their door isnt going to help any.

  • whatareyoutalkingabout (unverified)
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    Trust Me,

    You sound pretty darn informed. Got some statistics? It's called gotv and it works - people wouldn't do it if it didn't.

  • Eric (unverified)
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    Fine..I will post "no solisitors" and "no canvassers" signs on my door because I would rather have a nice calm dinner than be standing at my door having a canvasser in my face justifying thier existance.

  • JerryS (unverified)
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    Yeah, better to stay home and sit on your ass and eat candy and not give a crap about the future. Good call trust me.

  • For Trust Me (unverified)
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    http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/96/19/10939.pdf

  • eric (unverified)
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    Don't be so uptight there Jerry...besides, I have alreday sent in my ballot and I am allergic to chocolate. I feast on healthy foods.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    No I have no stats. But I know that having you on my doorstep while im trying to study, watch tv, or anything else more important than listening to some self rightous person tell me how to vote isnt going to work in my case and I am your average college student who does vote. Its called annoying and when people annoy you you are not to likely to listen to them, or vote how they want you too.

  • JerryS (unverified)
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    Justifying their existance? Hmm. You seem pretty angry about young people trying to make a difference in their community.

    Why in the world would a young person reminding you to vote have a negative impact on your day?

  • whatareyoutalkingabout (unverified)
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    And there you have it folks! The very reason this state needs groups like the Bus Project!

    By the way, the canvassers on the 29th will simply be reminding people TO vote, not how to vote.

  • Eric (unverified)
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    Because I actually have a right to be left alone to my own devises Jerry, and there is no law that says otherwise.

    And I am not angry...just stating a fact. Anger is for the weak.

  • Jessica (unverified)
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    Oh dear, I hope you're not the average college student! And quite frankly, I really doubt that you are, I think you're just mad at the world.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    No, the original post said to get "young people" to vote. This means you would be contacting young people. Having a young person trying to make a difference (not really, your trying to influence people to vote your way) isnt going to upset me. What will upset me is anyone on my doorstep telling me to vote or how to vote. I get enough of it at school, on TV and just walking down the street. Your just an added annoyance.

  • Eric (unverified)
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    Well, those canvassers are in for a rude awakening when they get to my apartment complex, because the property owner will tell them to 'bug off' and leave the tenents alone and in peace according to Oregon law and The property owner's lawyer, who will be on site to remind them as such.

  • JerryS (unverified)
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    Ever heard of not answering the door?

    My 15 year old son and his friends are very excited about this event, simply because they themselves are not old enough to vote yet. They see this as a way to remind us older folks that it's election season.

    I still don't get why it makes you so angry and how anyone in their right mind could possibly be opposed to this. It's a great idea.

    Kudos to the Oregon Bus Project!

  • Jake (unverified)
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    "listening to some self rightous person tell me how to vote isnt going to work in my case" - Trust Me

    You have the point of this volunteer day mixed up Mr. "Trust Me". No one is going to be telling you or anyone HOW to vote. During Trick or Vote on Oct. 29, volunteers will be reminding young people (from all political parties) who have not yet voted to turn in their ballots and we'll be letting them know where they can drop off their ballot.

    I've done this before and people we're very happy to have the reminder and wanted to talk even after I had finished my short pitch!

    I'll be there this Sunday to help out! See you all there!

  • whatareyoutalkingabout (unverified)
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    Um, "trust me?" Did you read my post AT ALL?

    IT SAID THE CANVASSERS WILL NOT BE INFLUENCING PEOPLE HOW TO VOTE BUT WILL SIMPLY REMIND THEM TO VOTE. WHETHER THOSE PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE DOOR TURN OUT TO BE YOUNG OR NOT, THEY WILL BE REMINDING THEM TO VOTE. THE FOCUS IS ON YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY TEND TO LIVE CLOSER TO DOWNTOWN, WHERE THE CANVASSERS WILL BE.

  • Sarah (unverified)
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    I'm gonna go ahead and call "Eric" a troll.

    So...another troll another donation!

  • trust me (unverified)
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    I dont trust you to not push your own political agenda, or any of your volunteers. It is human nature to get others to do things you would like. I hope you do get people to vote. However, I dont think you will. It is annoying for anyone to knock on your door you dont know, regardless of the issue or motives. Just my opinion.

  • Eric (unverified)
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    Thats interesting...Just because I am stating my right to be left alone you assume I am angry. I am not angry, but you guys sound more uptight than an army colonel.

  • Larry (unverified)
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    Hahaha! The "property lawyer's owner?" He or she will be on site to make sure those pesky kids don't bother the tenants by reminding them to turn in their ballots! Now THAT'S rich!

    I'm sure that lawyer wouldn't mind giving up a Sunday to shoo away volunteers who are trying to make a difference in their community.

    Man you've got some issues.

  • K (unverified)
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    That's hilarious. The lawyer should hold a sign that says "I hate democray."

  • Chris (unverified)
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    Yes! Maybe they can just hang a banner that says "We hate democracy" or "go away, nobody who cares about their community is allowed within 10 feet of this apartment complex."

    I can just picture the poor lawyer out there with his sign.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Aren't you the same people who say we should get rid of the petition process in Oregon because you dont like who gets things on the ballots and also because your annoyed with how many petitioners are out gathering signatures and coming to your doors? So, don't you also hate democracy? Or, is it that you only hate people who dont agree and vote like you?

  • Larry (unverified)
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    "The same people?"

    What people, exactly?

    Trick or Vote is being sponsored by The Oregon Bus Project - a nonprofit that strives to mobilize voters and to engage young people in the political process. For some reason, they thought that young people didn't care enough about it. Oh wait! You're illustrated the need perfectly here. Thank you for that. Hopefully your posts will motivate people.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Liberals are the people I am refering to.

    And, you didn't illustrate anything. I already voted. Your pesky attempts to annoy me won't do much but waste your own time. Actually please come to my door so I can distract you with deep conversation so you dont annoy any of my other neighboors.

  • Larry (unverified)
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    You illustrate perfectly the problem: You would be very upset if someone interrupted your tv watching by reminding you to vote. I'm not trying to annoy you at all. You really have not answered the question of why people being engaged in their community bothers you. Why? Why does that bother you?

  • trust me (unverified)
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    A reminder to vote? If people forget to vote maybe they shouldn't be voting in the first place. They dont seem that responsible to me.

  • Scott Beutel (unverified)
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    Democracy is hard, Trick or Vote is finding a constructive way to break out of our apathetic shells. In 2004 we knocked on 30,000 doors in one afternoon. We talked to a handful of folks who were annoyed but we spoke with thousands of people who were stoked that we stopped by.

    If you look at the work of multiple political scientists and others, face to face voter contact is the BEST way to get people to vote. Green and Gerber, and Nickerson have published informative works on voting behavior among young people. Please show us results to the contrary if you can produce them. Face to face contact works better then any other method, TV, phone, radio, etc. Does it work with every person? No, the Trolls have pointed this out, but it is much more effective then anything else.

    Halloween is the one time of the year when people expect folks to come knocking so lets combine these two elements. The best way, paired with the best time of year! Effective and fun. We need a public interest holiday, it is time to take over Halloween!

    Trick or Vote is non-partisan. Those who say we are pushing an agenda are correct; the agenda is encouraging democratic participation! I know this is a radical notion to some but have a little faith in the democratic process. I think people forget that there are people in the world who actually want to increase participation as a social value. This is not about political gain, we need to live in a country where more then half of the population participates.

    If you want to be left alone then unplug the phone, get off the internet and turn off the TV, its fine to live in the dark. Take 30 seconds to consider working to live in a better world rather then blogging about what makes you annoyed. I'd rather bust out the superman costume and chase through the streets helping to make sure that people vote.

    Sign up to help at http://www.trickorvote.com/events.html. It time to walk for democracy and then party into the night with great bands including March Fouth, QuiVah, Strength, Thomas and China of Pink Martini, Pilar French and Bark, Hide, and Horn.

    See you all Sunday! Scott ToV Co-Organizer Oregon Bus Project

  • Eric (unverified)
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    What you call 'involvement in the community' I call 'being a busy-body imposing your will on my right to make my own dicision'. 'reminding' me is just a pretentious act to alleviate boredom. Sheesh...you guys are just too uptight.

  • Carrie (unverified)
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    I for one am so excited for Trick or vote this year. My friends and I had a blast two years ago. The best part was the after party. Trust me, I have read through your posts and it seems like you could use a little fun too. Why not come out to trick or vote and see for yourself what it's all about?

  • Kevin (unverified)
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    I can certainly vouch for the effectiveness of knocking on doors. It won't necessarily alter not-button issue voting. But for some of the more minor candidate races it can definitely make a positive difference.

    In 2002 I had a nice lady knock on my door and ask me to vote for her. She was running for Forest Grove City Council and was the first candidate to ever knock on my door. FG gives you a list of a bunch of folks and you have to pick like 5 out of the list and those are who you vote for. Normally I don't vote for candidates that I don't know anything about and usually I don't care about small town city councils. But that year I voted for one person - the lady who knocked on my door. Mostly because I genuinely appreciated her effort and willingness to ask me for my vote.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Ill be there and I will urge everyone to cut taxes and vote for Republicans. See you there everybody.

  • Patricia (unverified)
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    Another troll! Another donation!

    Thanks Eric!

    It's funny that you keep saying the people here are uptight. You're the goof who's afraid of some kids stopping by your apartment to remind your neighbors to vote. Spooky! Well, you seem like you could use a beer or something.

  • K (unverified)
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    Trust me - I thought you said you would be busy watching tv?

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Now your trying to influence us with alcohol? Have you no scruples?

  • rafael baptista (unverified)
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    Trust me,

    I did trick or vote two years ago and it works. I am a high school student and somewhen siad that they hear "please vote" in school all the time. At my school which has 2700 kids you never hear that. Plus if you didnt know oregon has a system which I believe the bus uses that once the state gets your ballot it goes on the computer system as you have voted and the program to cut turf that the bus project uses gets the list and its updated mulitple times a day. So its very likely that the Bus will only talk to people who havent voted yet. Plus I did GOTV yesterday and people were so exicted to have someone reminding people to vote even the people who always vote.

    Exicted for Trick or Vote Rafael Baptista

  • trust me (unverified)
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    No, if I can come out and get people to vote republican and to cut taxes I will be there. Anything to ruin a liberals day. Besides, if you guys won all the issues and offices you wanted and the government still sucked you wouldn't have anyone to blame anymore. And where is the fun in that?

  • Jeremy (unverified)
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    "Trust me, knocking on doors of young people and telling them to vote, especially to vote your way, isnt going to help. If anything it will hurt."

    ...haha! But you said yourself it wouldn't work!

  • Calvin (unverified)
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    Another troll! Another donation!

    My donation is going to the no on 43 campaign. Thanks "Trust Me!"

  • trust me (unverified)
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    That’s why I will be an ass and tell them to vote demo for stupid reasons. They will be annoyed and vote the opposite way just to upset me. But, in reality they will be voting the way I want them to unwittingly. It’s called reverse psychology Jeremy.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Calvin waste your money if you want, better to spend it on advertising against something than to use it to help the poor or fund schools. Oh wait, thats the liberal way, spend money on nothing than beg for more. Way to keep up the tradition Cal.

  • Calvin (unverified)
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    Trust me, I don't think I understood your comment but I think it's because you didn't spell corrrectly. Try it again?

    Yes, yes. It's those pesky progressives that never help the poor. Nor do they want to fund schools.

    So you're going to "be an ass?" That'll be a stretch.

  • Jimmy (unverified)
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    Another troll!!!!!!!!

    Another donation!!!!!!!!!

    Mine's goin' to Ted.

  • Amanda (unverified)
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    Thanks for doing this! A way to do something positive this Halloween, great idea. We (my sister and I) can't wait!

  • votef*cker (unverified)
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    I'm going to Trick or Vote as a 1970's Disco God. Who will challenge me in the costume contest? I want to save democracy and earn the respect of a 1000 other people with my polyester suit and tight dance moves. I've been growing my hair out for months for this weekend.

    2004 Trick or Vote was the best day of political action I have ever had. I fully intend to top it this year. Who else is with me?

    Trick or Vote will you play disco if I am the best dressed?

    See you there, votef*cker.

  • Galen (unverified)
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    "It’s called reverse psychology Jeremy."

    You know what, Jeremy, I think trust me is right. Let me try my hand...

    Hey trust me, please continue posting comments here! However, tell ABSOLUTELY NOBODY about Trick or Vote. Don't mention it to your friends, don't mention it to your enemies, certainly not your family. NOBODY.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    No you want to fund schools but your approach is to throw money at a problem instead of restructuring it so it dosent suck up money constantly.

    My error was using an "a" instead of an "e" in then. Otherwise the statement is sound.

    Woohoo more money to politics instead of too fixing things. Right on. Way to go. I am sure the poor feel great that you made a donation to Ted when they cant even eat.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Ah I am slicker than that Galen, you can't trick me with your reverse psychology. I have already told all my hate mongering friends and other idiots about your plans. We will be there in force, scattered through the crowds causing havoc among your ranks.

  • Well? (unverified)
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    I guess there's no arguing with a retard.

  • Jeremy (unverified)
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    Mmmhmm. Because it's not a good idea to help fund the campaign of the guy who's running who has actually tried to help the poor and hungry:

    http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/PUBAFF/2006news/food_bank_facility.shtml

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Resorting to name calling now? Shame.

  • trust me (unverified)
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    Ted hasn't done anything. And thats why he will lose to Saxton.

  • Taylor (unverified)
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    My friends and I did trick or vote two years ago and it was awesome! I'm coming up for the weekend from Corvallis just for this and I cannot wait.

  • Ashley M (unverified)
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    I've never canvassed before but some friends of mine have so I'm going with them. Can people under 21 get into the after party?

  • Scott Beutel (unverified)
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    Ashely M (and the rest of the under 21 crowd),

    The Trick or Vote party is all ages. There will also be a section for folks over 21 who wish to consume alcohol, the set up will be similar to other all ages shows at the Crystal Ballroom. This is definately a family/young person friendly event so don't let age stop you! In 2004 folks from ages 8-80 attended.

    Thanks, Scott Beutel Trick or Vote Oregon Bus Project

    Sign up to help at trickorvote.com

  • dirty liberal banger (unverified)
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    Will there be hot liberal girls I can knock up and leave so they are "forced" to kill their unborn children hopefully resulting in some kind of lifetime mental of physical dysfunction?

  • votef*cker (unverified)
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    In my rad 1970's Disco Costume "dirty liberal banger" will have no chance with the ladies. And besides, male irresponsibility is just not attractive. Maybe you should go in for the snip "dirty" and you won't be responsible for any pregnancies. You sound like a perfect conservative, take what you can and leave others to suffer the consequences.

    I'm glad to work for a better society, I'll leave it to others to spread hate and irresponsiblity, votef*cker

  • Andrew Hall (unverified)
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    Is there anything cooler than Trick or Vote happening this election season? Not only do you have an excuse as an adult to dress up for Halloween, you can also do something good for Democracy at the same time - without even advocating for a candidate or a political party! Ignore the naysayers - come on out to Trick or Vote on Oct 29, knock on some doors, and have a blast.

  • (Show?)

    Yo DLB! You're a troll, and I'm making a donation to... hmmm... yup: the No on 43 campaign.

  • Ravus Malthus (unverified)
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    Trick or Vote rocks! Free from propaganda. Just plain old fun in the name of civic participation. To all those considering attending, please do. You'll have a blast and meet some great people. Every BP event I’ve attended has been an awesome adventure and excellent avenue for unbiased political education. Not left, not right, but forward.

    For those preoccupied with partisanship, get a clue. The issue isn't what party a candidate hides under; it's whether or not that candidate is most qualified for the job! It's about the work that gets done, not an opinion rooted in perceived ideology.

  • Allison (unverified)
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    I've done enough canvassing to know that there are people out there who are annoyed by canvassers. I've also done enough canvassing to know that most people, annoyed or not, respond with the behavior we want. Eric and this "Trust Me" guy will vote or won't vote based on their previously held decisions. Not exactly as "swing" voter. However, there are thousands of college students in the Portland Metro area who are perfectly willing to cast their ballots, if they could just remember to do it on time! As you said, college students are busy. They've got other things on their minds. We're kinda close to midterms right now. Sometimes the ballot slips through the cracks.

    That's what Trick or Vote and other GOTV efforts are for. To help foster the habit of getting that darned ballot in. In the first three days after ballots hit mail boxes, the average age of the voter who turns in a ballot is old. Really old. Don't get me wrong, I think it's fabulous that the elderly are willing to stay involved and get their voices heard. More power to them. But us young people need to balance out the focus on the senior issues. Besides, we're more progressive as a group than they are and will improve the lot of progressive causes - not by changing our minds or anyone else's minds, but just by making sure our leaders hear what's on our minds.

    Eric and "Trust me" - please get your ballot in :). You say you get enough of it from other sources, besides canvassers - prove it by turning in your ballots .

    Community, Love, and Democracy for ALL!

    P.S. You're just jealous 'cause you're too "hip" to wear a costume and you know we're way more fun.

  • Eric (unverified)
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    I guess I am an Old Guy - I sent my ballot in as soon as I got it...and voted No on everything...except M44

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