To all Indiana Obama/Biden supporters: (I wrote this two days ago)
I should be asleep, but I honestly can't sleep, thinking about this election. Maybe I'm feeling guilty for not canvassing today. Anyway, I was reading the different projections at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com and was (once again) impressed by the potential Indiana has to be important this year. We had a taste of that during the primaries and it was pretty sweet. There are no words to express how PROUD I would be if Indiana voted for Obama.
-Break to mention that I am listening to "In Those Jeans" by Genuwine. I shake my head at myself sometimes.-
Anyway, I am leaving October 1st to go to Colorado once again, staying through the election. Colorado is even more likely to tip the election and it's the best place for me to be. But I feel uneasy leaving Indiana- it's partially just sentimental, but I WANT THIS STATE to go Obama. I'm going to try to canvass and make calls this week, but after that, it's up to everyone else. So here are some requests:
- Everyone (particularly Obama supporters, haha): MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE!!!!! Have you moved? Unless you can continue voting from your old address (like if you're signed up at your parents' house and you're in college or just got out) and you plan to do so, you need to re-register. If you turned 18 not long ago or just haven't registered yet, DO SO! The deadline to register is October 6- two weeks from today. And for the love of all that's good, write legibly on your form.
I encourage you to do early voting, if you're able; the lines could be massive on Election Day. If you won't be around the area where you're registered on Election Day (like if you're in college, or if you're me and are going to another state), sign up NOW to get your absentee ballot. I'm sending in my request this week. Visit this site set up by the campaign to find out where/if you're registered, to register, to request an absentee ballot, and to find out your polling location.
- To all my friends who are Obama supporters: We all can do something. The time is NOW. Early voting starts in two weeks. Here are some suggestions: Write a letter to the editor of your college or local paper. Visit BarackObama.com and get a list of neighbors to talk to. Make calls from the website. Write a blog post. Talk to your friends about Barack. There are so many ways to get involved- this is just the tip of the iceberg. Even if you're not outgoing, there's lots you can do comfortably. Hell, just donate money.
- To DePauw students who support Obama: Get involved with College Democrats or Putnam County Residents for Obama or whatever groups are active there now. (When I graduated it was still primary season, so College Dems was not doing work for Obama specifically, so I worked with PCRO, but I don't know the official set-up now.) There is a campaign office in Greencastle- that is so freaking cool. Greencastle, a town of 10,000 in only the 47th most-populated county in Indiana. The address is 10 W. Washington on the square, and the phone number is (765) 301-4439. Stop by and see what's going on there. The big thing at DePauw is making sure your friends support Barack and vote for him. Even if you don't want to get involved in an organization, you could make informational posters or flyers or write to The DePauw. Sidewalk chalking is fun...
- Official Indiana page on BarackObama.com
- Campaign webpage especially for high school and college students in Indiana Get info about getting involved, including being your dorm or apartment captain. (Not only was I at the rally in the picture at the bottom of the page, but I later worked in Colorado and became friends with the guy on the far right holding the "Can!" sign.)
- Indiana Voter Registration Center on the campaign website
- Indiana Secretary of State's page with voting information
- See if you're registered, get registered, get an absentee ballot, and find your polling location
- Check out election-day scenarios, latest poll info, articles and more
- Interesting short video that explains Indiana voting strategies
Honestly, unless you are really sick or dealing with a family crisis or something equally big, you do have SOME time before November 4. The election is in 43 days- 6 weeks, 1 day. This isn't a long-term commitment, and you'll feel good about doing something. You get one vote at the ballot box, but by being active now, you have the chance to influence far more votes. Maximize your reach! (Sorry to those of you to whom this note is preaching to the choir.)
In closing- this is a chance to be a part of something BIG. I am involved because I care deeply about the cause, but I can tell you my involvement has benefitted ME. I've made so many new wonderful friends. I've gained more confidence and assuredness. I feel like I'm a part of something historic. The campaign is sort of close to my heart for another reason, too- when I got involved during my last semester of college, it turned everything around. I had mono, I'd lost several important relationships, and I was living alone, spending most of my time lying in bed. One night I convinced myself to go to a meeting about Barack, even though I wasn't sure if I was up for it. I'd been a supporter for a long time but hadn't done anything except wear a shirt with his face on it. At the meeting, I was moved to immediately get involved, and like I said, it started making a difference right away for me. Making new friends, doing important work, succeeding at new things, and immersing myself in the positive philosophies Barack presented helped me escape depression. I still couldn't do everything I wanted, due to schoolwork and mono, but it made my life more balanced. Oh, and I got to sit in the 11th row at the Dave Matthews show... that was a nice perk too. ;)
Now, I'm not saying it'll change your life, but it could very well change the country, and that's pretty damn awesome. Changing your life is a nice perk too.
Snaking line on election day in South Africa, 1994. This was right after the end of apartheid. People stood in line all day to vote, they cherished their right so much. Don't let anything stop you from exercising yours.
Democratically yours, Kati