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people who’s entire scope of political engagement is vote shaming are so frustrating. it’s an ineffective tactic that will increase apathy, reduce turnout, & drive people away. it’s an enormous waste of time that could be spent doing things that actually increase turnout
as someone who’s job it is to increase voter turnout using data driven methods, i guarantee you that if i spent an hour arguing with a Green Party voter on their doorstep or on the phone lines, i would probably be fired
things that increase voter turnout:
- helping people find their local polling place
- encouraging folks to develop a plan to vote
- get people to perceive themselves as a voter
- make voting into a community event
- helping people find their local polling place
- encouraging folks to develop a plan to vote
- get people to perceive themselves as a voter
- make voting into a community event
i might do a larger stream on this. i’d want to ask my managers to send me the studies that the program is based on first
one of the most impactful things from our training was an explanation that voting is not a rational act, but a “dynamic social expression”
one of the most impactful things from our training was an explanation that voting is not a rational act, but a “dynamic social expression”
dynamic = the decision to vote isn’t made in a single moment. it’s dynamic and evolves over time. the decision to vote is constantly being re-evaluated
social = people are far, far more likely to vote if they connect the act of voting to their community. group identity is key
social = people are far, far more likely to vote if they connect the act of voting to their community. group identity is key
expression = voting is a way for people to feel seen in the world. it’s a way of proclaiming your identity while also connecting with folks who share your identity
“i voted” stickers and posting that you voted on FB are more likely to encourage turnout than any set of arguments
“i voted” stickers and posting that you voted on FB are more likely to encourage turnout than any set of arguments
another thing we were told:
don’t push a tired and disillusioned voter to go to the polls for biden. if they’re left-leaning, encourage them to go to the polls for down ballot candidates. a significant number of those people may not be motivated enough by Biden to go to the ...
don’t push a tired and disillusioned voter to go to the polls for biden. if they’re left-leaning, encourage them to go to the polls for down ballot candidates. a significant number of those people may not be motivated enough by Biden to go to the ...
... polls, but if they’re able to get to a ballot box for down-ballot candidates, ballot initiatives, or a general sense of civic duty, then they might vote for biden while they’re there anyways
when i was canvassing, i spoke to voters who work two jobs and were struggling near poverty & had totally checked out of politics because they don’t have the energy. those folks aren’t bad people for not keeping up with politics
i talked to voters who had legitimately believed in electoral politics until this year, when they saw the wave of enthusiasm for bernie in the first few primaries crushed on Bloody Monday when it looked like the Democratic Party just ... decided that folks had enough fun
those folks aren’t deciding not to vote because of “purity politics”. they have an overwhelming sense that no matter who they and their community does or doesn’t support, the decisions are ultimately made by someone more powerful
when i talk to those voters, i say something like, “yeah, it’s really frustrating for me when folks act like voting is all there is to politics. it’s a fine first step, but politics is ultimately about engaging with your community and there are a lot of ways to do that”
i try and direct folks towards community garden projects, the tenant’s union, and other local initiatives. it changes the whole tone of the conversation. they perk up, seem more engaged. seeing that change is one of my favorite things in the world
remember: “harm reduction” can come in many, many, many different forms
and the war against fascism is, above anything else, a war against apathy. shutting people down, neglecting to acknowledge their fears and pain, shaming them for their hesitation ... all of this contributes to the growth of apathy and the alienation we feel from each other
anyways. im sorry my initial tweet was so angry sounding. i know everyone’s terrified about what’s happening to our country right now, and vote-shaming is something folks are doing primarily out of fear. we don’t feel in control right now and we’re lashing out at each other
it’s 2:30 am and i’m going to bed
take care of each other
take care of each other
shit i ended this ramble on a sensitive note but i just thought of a snarky tweet related to this topic. should i tweet it anyways???
