Political High

We’re less than 48 hours until election day 2008 (November 4, 2008).  What should you be doing?

Frankly, much like studying for a test, it’s better that you went to class, kept up with your reading, and turned in your assignments on time.  You can try to cram, but hey, good luck.  Preparation, planning, and money wins elections.

But just in case, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Report any large campaigns immediately or within the period required by your state or locality.  You don’t want to get fined for not reporting properly or having bad publicity about the same.
• Make sure you’ve implemented as much of your campaign plan (another future post) as you possibly can.
• If you have money left over, who can you now target with a lit drop.  (You need boots on the ground now–it’s too late for mail.)
• If you have access to an opt-in email list, you might consider a GOTV email.
• Make sure you have all your volunteer shifts covered for GOTV, palm card hander-outers, and poll watchers.
• Dress the polling place.  In other words, get your signs up within the legal distance (if allowed by local or state law).
• Stage visibilities on key intersections.
• Relax.  Understand that you are what makes democracy work.

Good luck election day!

I’ve talked about yard signs in a previous post.  I’m luke warm about them.  Everyone seems to think you have to have them or your campaign is screwed.

What I’ve learned at campaign management camp suggests otherwise.

In fact, in 2006, here in South Dakota, the anti-abortion measure folks probably had far more yard signs than votes.  With another anti-abortion measure on the ballot in South Dakota again (yes, that’s pretty much all we vote on here), they again lead the yard sign fight.  But they lost in 2006 and they’ll probably lose again in 2008.

I’ve seen them with supporters having maybe ten yard signs-the same yard sign–in one yard.

Apparently they subscribe to the “if a little bit will do a little good a lot will do a lot of good” theory of political tactics.

I don’t agree.  Not because I’m on the other side of their issue, but because I don’t think it is effective.

In a ballot measure like abortion, it is well known.  Unlike a couty commissioner candidate no one may know, everyone knows there are two ways to vote on the iss–yes or no.

I think a better use of yard sign repitition madness money is through door to door canvassing, paid media, or direct mail.

I can’t imagine the same ten pictures of the same baby in my neighbor’s yard is going to be the difference between winning and losing.  Seems like that’s an approach where you bury–not enhance–your message.

I’m a firm believer in “less is more” advertising.