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Elizabeth Chur's avatar

Hi Rosemary, that's right - 34% of *eligible* voters didn't vote in 2020 - i.e., citizens 18 years or older who aren't barred from voting because of past felony convictions, depending on the laws in their state (California recently changed the laws to allow all citizens who are not currently incarcerated to vote, even if they are on parole, etc.) The main point is that we are leaving a lot of votes on the table. Rather than only chasing down the elusive swing voters, I really devote a lot of time to engaging with people who start off saying, "I don't vote."

Just tonight (out with the trick-or-treaters), I spoke with one young man who said he was 0/10 on voting and didn't like slick career politicians. But he was intrigued by the local candidate for community college board and her plan to expand vocational training opportunities locally. By the end, he was 3/10 on voting, and said I'd given him a lot to think about. I also slid in a reference to how we needed Congressional representation (i.e., the Democratic candidate, Rudy Salas), to bring home tax dollars to help support those efforts.

Thank you for all *your* work, Rosemary! And let's go talk with even more voters before November 5! :)

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Elizabeth Chur's avatar

Hi William, Belated thanks for your very kind and heartfelt words. Thanks for all the amazing canvassing you did - I know how heartbreaking the results are. I agree, the struggle continues - and also, my experience is that these conversations with voters are a key part of the way forward. It also has helped deepen my belief in the goodness of others through actually have in-depth conversations with so many people. That in itself is worth the effort! I appreciate being in community with so many other volunteers like you. Thanks so much for all your hard work, and your willingness to continue these efforts in the time to come.

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