Whew! Hello!

WHAT A TIME WE LIVE IN. I am really, really enjoying the experience of feeling some collective hope and energy about November's election.

I think I had this sense that some sort of...curriculum, I guess?, would become clear for our engagement in this election. Instead, ideas are coming in fits and starts, and I'll just throw them out here, and we can pick up the ones that make sense and share others in the comments or behind the scenes. I'm paying special attention to anything that can get kids involved, because they want to be.

But first, principles

Obviously we can't just DO a thing; that would be boring. When we're considering ways to get involved, I think we look for:

  • Force multipliers, to make our work count for more;
  • Different-sized options, so we can Do Things consistently, as our schedules allow;
  • Automation, so we don't have to remember everything in our heads.

Take a look.

This week's action: talk to the college students in your orbit

Thanks to Amy, Beth, and Brittney for this excellent idea.

College students who live on campus have dual residency: at home with their families, and on campus. They can only register to vote in one place, though (obv). They should make that choice strategically.

Also: they should register. These precious darlings with their Busy Schedules (do you remember those Busy Schedules?!?) can easily forget.

fancy girl throwing a frisbee
Me after chemistry lab (JK no bare legs in chemistry)

So, text each of your college-student friends. The talking points are:

  • Register to vote! It's so important and easy to forget, and you can't put it off! Go to vote.gov, which will take you through the process.
  • If you live and attend school in different states, register in the swingiest of the two, where your vote has more impact.
  • If you live and attend school in the same state but different voting district, decide whether you want to vote absentee (near home) or in person (near school). If this is your first election, you might like the festivity of voting in person...which means you need to register near school.
  • And then actually register in that place. On time. Here are the registration deadlines for each state.
  • And then follow up and confirm that you're registered where and how you want to be.
  • And (force multiplier) tell all your friends to do the same.

Extra: You may want to explain the party-affiliation thing in closed-primary states, like PA. Having to register with a party can feel weird for [anyone] a teenager.

Options in various sizes

  • Small:
    Text all of your college-student friends re the talking points above.
  • Medium:
    Small + Set a series of reminders in your phone to hector them (lovingly) until they've done it.
  • Large:
    Medium + Call your local Democratic field office, and ask about their plan to help local college students register (and register strategically). Join that effort.

That's it!

Force multipliers (get other people to spread the word). Automation (set reminders in your phone). Options in multiple sizes. ALSO! If you have kids but they're too young to vote, they can contact their older friends/family members! Involvement for everyone!

I will say that "registering strategically" feels a little like a scammy little loophole. And honestly there's absolutely a certain amount of privilege involved (an 18yo with two residences, LOL). But it's not a loophole; it's the law; and it's how the game is played. (I am not great at games, and this hyper-scrupulosity is part of why, eek.) SO LET'S GO.

Will you do this? What else are you hearing/doing/thinking? xoxo!!!

Yay!