Comments on: Wanna greet voters? http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/ If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. — Samuel Adams Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tom Sullivan http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24978 Tom Sullivan Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:35:12 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24978 The judges races are the ones about which people are least informed. The races aren't sexy. They get the worst billing (on the back of the ballot) and candidates raise little money to buy advertising or literature. (It's not considered particularly judge-like.) They don't do debates, and as Gordon notes, it can take hours to research - if you have Internet access. Remember, even if the candidates have websites, there are plenty of solid citizens who have voted faithfully their entire lifetimes <i>who don't know how to use a computer or the Internet</i>. And the races being non-partisan, voters don't even have party affiliation on the ballots to clue them in to how the judges view the world. Poll greeters, party slate cards, etc. are voters' last chance to hear anything about judges and to get a caution about how to navigate the 1-2-3 ballot that not even rookie poll workers understand sufficiently. My experience? The vast majority of Buncombe voters appreciate the greeters. Some even recycle the literature and thank us. We need all the help we can get <i>now</i> and would welcome your time and efforts, if not during early voting, on Election Day. Please contact Buncombe Dems HQ: 274-4482. I spent time today downtown and at the West Asheville Library. I'll be doing my mealy-mouthed, insincere gladhanding downtown tomorrow afternoon. See you there. You're welcome. The judges races are the ones about which people are least informed. The races aren’t sexy. They get the worst billing (on the back of the ballot) and candidates raise little money to buy advertising or literature. (It’s not considered particularly judge-like.) They don’t do debates, and as Gordon notes, it can take hours to research – if you have Internet access. Remember, even if the candidates have websites, there are plenty of solid citizens who have voted faithfully their entire lifetimes who don’t know how to use a computer or the Internet. And the races being non-partisan, voters don’t even have party affiliation on the ballots to clue them in to how the judges view the world. Poll greeters, party slate cards, etc. are voters’ last chance to hear anything about judges and to get a caution about how to navigate the 1-2-3 ballot that not even rookie poll workers understand sufficiently. My experience? The vast majority of Buncombe voters appreciate the greeters. Some even recycle the literature and thank us.

We need all the help we can get now and would welcome your time and efforts, if not during early voting, on Election Day. Please contact Buncombe Dems HQ: 274-4482.

I spent time today downtown and at the West Asheville Library. I’ll be doing my mealy-mouthed, insincere gladhanding downtown tomorrow afternoon. See you there.

You’re welcome.

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]]> By: Gordon Smith http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24965 Gordon Smith Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:58:19 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24965 So how did you do your research on judges, Ralph? I went to their campaign sites primarily, though I checked some news articles and legal opinions as well. It took me hours. So how did you do your research on judges, Ralph? I went to their campaign sites primarily, though I checked some news articles and legal opinions as well. It took me hours.

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]]> By: Ralph Roberts http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24959 Ralph Roberts Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:57:23 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24959 Gordon, I'm not suggesting they don't participate ... I'm actually strongly suggesting that they DO participate by taking the time to read publications and websites on both sides, find out who the candidates and issues are, listen to debates, etc., and form a opinion as to at least which set of candidates best represents what they want government to reflect. You should not be 'shocked' (a little dash of hyperbole, eh?) because you are doing exactly what many of us concerned citizens do (and should do), educate folks as to what's happening politically so that they CAN make an informed decision. ... Just don't wait to the last minute to cram, THIS exam has far reaching consequences for all of us. Gordon, I’m not suggesting they don’t participate … I’m actually strongly suggesting that they DO participate by taking the time to read publications and websites on both sides, find out who the candidates and issues are, listen to debates, etc., and form a opinion as to at least which set of candidates best represents what they want government to reflect.

You should not be ‘shocked’ (a little dash of hyperbole, eh?) because you are doing exactly what many of us concerned citizens do (and should do), educate folks as to what’s happening politically so that they CAN make an informed decision. … Just don’t wait to the last minute to cram, THIS exam has far reaching consequences for all of us.

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]]> By: Gordon Smith http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24954 Gordon Smith Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:57:43 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24954 <blockquote>1) people who have not made up their minds by election time should stay home, they are not good citizens.</blockquote> Being underinformed makes you a bad citizen? Huh. I think it means that maybe you just didn't know about judges' races and school board races and whatnot. Democracy doesn't demand that everyone is as cool as you, Ralph, and I'm a little shocked that you'd put so many people down and suggest they shouldn't participate.

1) people who have not made up their minds by election time should stay home, they are not good citizens.

Being underinformed makes you a bad citizen? Huh. I think it means that maybe you just didn’t know about judges’ races and school board races and whatnot. Democracy doesn’t demand that everyone is as cool as you, Ralph, and I’m a little shocked that you’d put so many people down and suggest they shouldn’t participate.

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]]> By: greenasheville http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24953 greenasheville Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:53:39 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24953 such a waste of paper and trees! such a waste of paper and trees!

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]]> By: Ralph Roberts http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24952 Ralph Roberts Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:42:35 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24952 1) people who have not made up their minds by election time should stay home, they are not good citizens. 2) after suffering 14,306 robo calls, 8,021 "can you take this short 2-minute survey?" questions, and a dislocated back from carrying out all the tons of political fliers that come in the mail and greatly irritating my garbage pick up guy, not being harassed by greeters from EITHER side is a reasonable request and a basic human right. 3) Gordon does not know his dog's name? It either Woof or Grrr or Yawn ... depending on a) he likes you b) he does not like you c) he finds you more boring that a polling place greeter. 1) people who have not made up their minds by election time should stay home, they are not good citizens.

2) after suffering 14,306 robo calls, 8,021 “can you take this short 2-minute survey?” questions, and a dislocated back from carrying out all the tons of political fliers that come in the mail and greatly irritating my garbage pick up guy, not being harassed by greeters from EITHER side is a reasonable request and a basic human right.

3) Gordon does not know his dog’s name? It either Woof or Grrr or Yawn … depending on a) he likes you b) he does not like you c) he finds you more boring that a polling place greeter.

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]]> By: Arratik http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24948 Arratik Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:48:58 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24948 I don't think either of Gordon's dogs are named Buster. I don’t think either of Gordon’s dogs are named Buster.

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]]> By: Doug Gibson http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24942 Doug Gibson Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:39:20 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24942 Ralph, I've been greeting people at polls for six years. And I've found that a) people who don't like greeters have plenty of room to walk around/ignore me b) a lot of people find the presence of someone there for their side encouraging and cheering c) a lot of people haven't made up their minds on down-ticket races, and would like more information. Ralph,

I’ve been greeting people at polls for six years. And I’ve found that

a) people who don’t like greeters have plenty of room to walk around/ignore me

b) a lot of people find the presence of someone there for their side encouraging and cheering

c) a lot of people haven’t made up their minds on down-ticket races, and would like more information.

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]]> By: Gordon Smith http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24937 Gordon Smith Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:02:38 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24937 Ralph, Sorry that you detest greeters, but the results show that when underinformed voters go to the polls, that last contact can make an enormous difference. "Who should I vote for for County Commission?" "Judges? There's judges?" "School Board!?!?" "Damn that greeter was sexy, I'm voting for Yelton after all." Ralph,

Sorry that you detest greeters, but the results show that when underinformed voters go to the polls, that last contact can make an enormous difference.

“Who should I vote for for County Commission?”
“Judges? There’s judges?”
“School Board!?!?”
“Damn that greeter was sexy, I’m voting for Yelton after all.”

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]]> By: Ralph Roberts http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24931 Ralph Roberts Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:36:20 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24931 Frankly, one of the things I MOST detest in the entire civilized universe are greeters at polls, regardless of their party affiliation. By the time election day rolls around, I've been reading and talking politics for many months. I've weighed the issues and candidates and my mind (as is most people's) is not likely to be changed by some mealy-mouthed insincere gladhander who knows less about the situation than Gordon's dog Buster. I just wanna vote and get on with real life for the next two years. Frankly, one of the things I MOST detest in the entire civilized universe are greeters at polls, regardless of their party affiliation. By the time election day rolls around, I’ve been reading and talking politics for many months. I’ve weighed the issues and candidates and my mind (as is most people’s) is not likely to be changed by some mealy-mouthed insincere gladhander who knows less about the situation than Gordon’s dog Buster. I just wanna vote and get on with real life for the next two years.

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]]> By: Doug Gibson http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2008/10/16/wanna-greet-voters/comment-page-1/#comment-24929 Doug Gibson Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:11:29 +0000 http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=6210#comment-24929 We need a fair amount of help with West Asheville - which includes West Asheville Library, Oak Forest, and Biltmore Square Mall. Just get in touch with HQ, and they'll put you on the right track. Greeting at the polls is great. And if 2004 is any indication, 40% of the votes in this county will be cast early or absentee, so that's the time to reach people. We need a fair amount of help with West Asheville – which includes West Asheville Library, Oak Forest, and Biltmore Square Mall. Just get in touch with HQ, and they’ll put you on the right track.

Greeting at the polls is great. And if 2004 is any indication, 40% of the votes in this county will be cast early or absentee, so that’s the time to reach people.

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