Registering voters is a humbling experience. If I look at the return on investment (ROI) from my finance perspective, the return is extremely low, hardly worth the time and effort. I am learning that ROI has a different threshold in the world of grassroots political organizing. This viewpoint was clear from the story Joel told at a recent OCDEC meeting, where he trained the assembled Democrats to register voters in compliance with the new, more stringent rules in Florida. Joel remembered going with a team of six organizers to an event with about 1,000 people in attendance. After several hours, the total number of new registrations was three! As Joel said, that was three more than would have been registered if they hadn't showed up.
I tried to keep that story in mind as I waited to see if anyone would show up to register to vote at the clubhouse of my apartment complex last Saturday afternoon. With support from management, I had included flyers on the registration drive to all residents in the monthly newsletter and followed up with flyers in the clear boards at each of the 14 buildings. A few more flyers taped to the wall of the mail room completed the publicity campaign.
I am happy to report that eight residents showed up, Florida Driver's License in hand, to update their registration information or to register for the first time. Everyone said they appreciated the convenience. In line with grassroots ROI standards, this was a real success.
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