GOTV adventures at a Palm Beach County, FL mall

[Cyrano]

So I took a day off and volunteered with the local Florida Dem Party. I was supplied with a map of voting districts and sent to this local mall to ask people if they voted. And, if they hadn't, to show them the locations of their polling places. (We all know that malls are dying, but I'm amazed at how many people are here.)

I'm on a short lunch break while frantically typing this, but fuck it. This is important. I'm taking this time to post this so hopefully, some of you will go to some nearby spot where there are lots of people, ask them if they voted, and push them to go vote if they haven't already.

Here's a short breakdown of today's adventures so far:

Virtually every black person with whom I spoke either voted or will vote this afternoon. Many were wearing "I voted" stickers and it was impossible not to feel a moment of total joy as people flashed broad smiles when I asked them.

Hispanic people with whom I spoke were a mixed bag. Some had already voted. One person with whom I spoke didn't know who was running for what. One girl said that she was told "tomorrow is election day." Another said she had turned 18 a couple of days ago and wasn't registered. An older couple wasn't shy about who they voted for: They said that "This terrible man must go away." One man said: "I came to a great country. We must keep it a great country." (I know you're going to ask how I knew they were Hispanic. -- An ear for accents and 27 years living in south Florida helps in making a good guess.)

White people, apparently of European descent, were a mixed bag that leaned toward Democrats. (Southeast Florida, -- Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami Dade County, -- are heavily Democratic and they are the reason Florida is a purple state.) Many had already voted. Some just gave me a "fuck off" look and walked on. One was concerned that his president was being attacked and misquoted. The majority of women had much to say about Trump and one woman called him "... a terrible pig who is making us hurt."

I'd like to continue, but I've got to get back to work. My final thought right now is that this is a tiny view of a very small, mostly Democratic part of America. So here I am trying to put Gillum, Nelson and our congresspeople over the top. I'm tired but I'm more tired of living with a horrible orange ogre spewing fear, hatred and death.

Please. Get out there and do something locally. Not every vote gets counted in many parts of America. We need a tidal wave of Dems voting in order to drown the criminals who are desperately trying to hold onto or steal all the levers of power.

[sheshe2]

1. Kick. Rec.

Thank you.

[LonePirate]

2. Thank you for the excellent report and volunteerism

[gratuitous]

3. Thank you for your service

Let the negative reactions roll off like rain off a duck's back, and remember the good, positive interactions.

Idea for the next election: More voter education public service announcements. You want to vote, but you don't turn 18 until two days before the election? Here's how you pre-register in your area. Election Day is on Tuesday. Yes, you can cast your ballot even if you have an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for a jaywalking ticket; you will not be arrested at the polling place. Heaven knows there's enough disinformation and misinformation out there. An "educational" political action committee that actually educates voters on their voting rights would yield a terrific return on investment.

[FSogol]

4. Thanks for putting in the time. n/t

[mcar]

5. Thank you!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. thank you!

[Cyrano]

7. Coffee break update

A fundie woman got in my face a little while ago. I guess she assumed I was a Dem. She told me that "Jesus has a special place in hell for people like me."

I walked away. I'm here to get people to the polls, not to argue with fools.

Coffee cup empty. "Once more unto the breach dear friends." (Google battle of Agincourt.)