The New Mexico
legislature saw a shakeup earlier this month when two progressive candidates won
their primary elections against long odds and powerful incumbents. Two of these candidates, Eleanor Chavez and
Tim Keller, attended our recent Advanced Campaign Management and Candidate School
in Albuquerque.
Sarah Bruch recently graduated from Camp Wellstone Raleigh in March 2008. Sarah attended the training to help prepare for her candidacy for State Assembly in Hudson, Wisconsin. Wellstone Action caught up with the Bruch family to learn more about the campaign and to hear how their recent Camp Wellstone training is being put to use.
Last year, I was honored to accept the Distinguished Minnesotan Award given posthumomously to Paul and Sheila Wellstone at the Bemidji State University Commencement. As graduation time rolls around again, here are some thoughts on engaging in politics and public life.
With less than half of eligible Americans exercising their right to
vote, starting a voter registration drive in your community is a great
way to help people take the first step in civic participation.
The Beatitudes Society is a collective of
Christian leaders focused on sustaining new Christian leaders working for a
progressive justice, compassion, and peace network.
Campaign Corps trains recent progressive-minded college
graduates in a week-long Campaign
School, and then puts
them to work on the last three months of a targeted Democratic campaign.
Bringing training to these targeted regions will create a corps of skilled organizers and candidates, and seed
progressive campaigns with the talent they need to win big in November.
Frustrated by a state law telling him he wasn't old enough to give back to his community by donating blood, Joe Gibson, a sophomore at Blooming Prairie High School, decided to do something to change it.
Campus Camp Wellstone Director Mattie Weiss gives young people the
scoop on what to tell political campaigns when they come asking for our
dollars, hours, connections, and cache.
Setting goals will help you plan your voter
registration drive strategically and allow you to gauge your progress.
The following areas should have clear goals determined.
Voter registration can be a
ton of fun. So here are a few key ways that you can make sure it's a
great experience for you, your volunteers, and the folks you're
registering.
While
this may seem like an invasion of privacy, it is perfectly legal and
will be a major advantage in following up with registering voters. It
is vital for collecting information about your supporters and
identifying your base.
Each month
we focus on a new issue, this month it's Voter Registration, and give
you some quick tips and "How To" information so that you can start
making a difference in your community.
