Cutting Turf

I am now on VoteBuilder, my window on the 1,500 or so registered Democrats in Precinct 437. The map of the precinct features gray blobs congealed in large clumps in certain areas or sprinkled lightly across the landscape in others. The next step in making sense of this picture and preparing for canvassing the precinct is Cutting Turf. With this process, I can divide the vast, uncharted territory that is Precinct 437 into manageable sections. Great!

It takes hours to cut Turf No. 1, which covers the smallest part of the precinct. I am beginning to have doubts about this whole grassroots organizer idea. There is only one thing to do: call for help from the younger generation, who have a better feel for technology and more experience than I do.

Anna and Jessica answer my call. We gather around my computer in my apartment. They teach me basic technique and a few tricks. Most importantly, they give me moral support. We cut quite a bit of turf, as I make notes for my solo sessions. Then we go out for Thai food and discuss the really big political issues. Thanks, Anna and Jessica!

Running Precinct 437

On Sunday mornings, I run on Narcoossee Road from 528 to Moss Park Road and back. When I pass another runner, I give an especially cheerful "Good Morning!" greeting. She may be a registered Democrat.

Tool of Campaign Trade - The VAN

A key step in learning the trade of Precinct Captain is mastering the workings of the VAN, aka VoteBuilder. This software gives access to information on all registered voters in Precinct 437, with data from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Click on this link for a map of my precinct.

After excellent but brief training with Nancy J., I receive my login information and am ready to begin. But how? The VoteBuilder user interface is from the dawn of personal computing. The 30,000 year old paintings in the caves of Chauvet convey more meaning than the VoteBuilder icons. "Intuitive user interface" was obviously an unknown concept to the software engineers. As a friend astutely said, VoteBuilder was designed by Tip O'Neill, not Steve Jobs. I need help.

Dispatches from Precinct 437

I am the newly elected Democratic precinct woman for Precinct 437, Orange County, Florida. I will be sending dispatches as I work to register Democratic voters and get out the vote on November 6, 2012. I have never done anything like this before, and I want to keep a record of my re-invention as a grassroots political organizer. I am really curious about how this is going to work out.