A local supporter of Barack Obama has had their campaign signed vandalized again. But instead of intimidating their opponents they are only causing us to organize even more.
Go to my personal Barack Obama fundraising page and let's show them that the more they attack us the more money we are going to raise. Click here to see my fundraising page.
To help without donating leave a comment with a pledge to work at a phonebank locally in the next few weeks. Not everyone at a phonebank needs to make calls. The campaign needs help with paperwork, entering data, and keeping everything running. Go to
I attended a phonebank today in Simi Valley today organized by local volunteers. I would guess about 20 people came and went during the hours we were calling. If you are interested in helping the campaign locally send me an email. The County of Ventura is expecting a huge turnout for this election. Local Barack Obama volunteer and delegate Sandy Emberland wrote up a report of the local Barack Obama campaign's meeting with the county elections officials to find out more about the preparations. To see her report click on continue reading.
County Ready for Big Election Turnout By Sandy EmberlandVentura County is anticipating 73% of registered voters to vote on Election Day, and is planning accordingly. Phil Schmit, County Clerk, met with Democratic leaders to discuss the county's plans for the upcoming Presidential election in November. Meeting with Phil Schmit were Deborah Dent, Obama Coordinator; Sandy Emberland, Obama Delegate; Joe O'Neill, Democratic County Chair; and Sue Broidy, Chair of Vote Blue-Central Coast.
The county uses paper ballots, which they prefer because they can be re-counted if necessary, and are saved for 22 months following each election. The county's roving inspectors will have plenty of extra ballots if supplies run low, or voters may choose to use an electronic voting machine to cast their ballot. There is 1 at each polling place especially for those with special needs. Last election 69 votes were cast using electronic voting machines. Using paper ballots has saved the county $27M.
With permanent absentee voters now numbering 128,000, questions about the speedy processing were a concern. Mr. Schmit explained that once the absentee ballots are mailed out, they gear up to process the ballots as they are returned, working 2 shifts from 7 am to 11 pm daily. This is a time-consuming process because each signature on the ballot envelope must be verified.
Absentee ballots may be taken directly to the Government Center in Ventura, turned in to your local polling place or mailed (to be received before 8 pm on Election Day). Voters are responsible for affixing sufficient postage. Ballots without sufficiently postage MAY be returned to sender by the post office, but if they are delivered, the county will pay the postage & count them. The exceptions are the 218 mail-ballot precincts where there is no polling place - their postage is covered. Postage is expected to be about $1 per ballot.
All absentee votes are counted. Ballots must be received at the county government center or a polling place by 8 pm on Election Day. Ballots received early and verified, are processed at 8 pm. The results are the numbers released to the press at 8 pm and are considered a fairly good sampling of final results.
The third topic concerned early voting. The County has early voting available at the Elections Division for 30 days prior to the election for anyone who wishes to use it. Placing early voting machines on campuses of colleges & universities in VC was discussed. Due to security issues, it is not possible at this time. However, all campuses, except CLU, will have a polling place for students to vote or turn in their absentee ballots.
Ventura County is ready for a heavy turnout at the polls, processing the absentee ballots and will accommodate our new, young voters with polling places on most campuses. Remember - be sure you are registered, then be sure you VOTE.
First, that's outrageous that anyone would do that to someone's home over a campaign sign. That irritates me beyond words. Second, what goes on at a phonebank? Forgive my ignorance... are you simply calling out to potential supporters for contributions?
At a phonebank we are trying to reach out and find supporters of the campaign. That way we could follow up to make sure they vote.
If we talk to someone that isn't sure who they support yet we ask them what issues are the most important to them and then talk about those issues.