Posted by: Dave Newton on November 6, 2012
After passing out a few voter guides earlier in the day, Tim and Rosanne Klarer too to the streets of Georgetown with a sound truck, reminding and encouraging people to vote and letting them know how much time they had until the polls close.
Posted by: Dave Newton on November 6, 2012
In Floyd County, KFTC members have gotten out into the community today, passing out voter guides, helping people to find polling locations, passing out stickers, giving rides to the polls, and generally getting people ready to vote.
One of the voting locations that we drove a voter to had a an hour-long line, which is pretty incredible.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on November 6, 2012
Jo Long and other Northern KY KFTC members are still going strong - calling voters and answering questions regarding polling locations, hours of operation, and more.
We also met customers who are former felons and don't have the right to vote themelves. It was a powerful reminder that those of us who do have the right to vote have the responsibility to use it.
Posted by: Ondine Quinn, CKY Organizer on November 6, 2012
Members and friends of the Central Kentucky chapter of KFTC have been working around the clock to educate voters and moblize them to the polls.
Posted by: Dave Newton on November 6, 2012
Last night, Scott County KFTC and NAACP members called through the last of the people in our database, plus much of the Ed Davis precint's registered voters – about 200 people called in all.
Thinking through the impact of Scott County's Voter Empowerment work in 2012, Rosanne Fitts Klarer said:
"I think we're creating a positive buzz – making a space for people to get engaged in politics. It brought it home for people. It's about connecting people to real issues and not just sound bytes and it's rare for people to otherwise have information to cast an informed vote on local races. I also think it's great that we can take today to celebrate voting as a key part of our Democracy. Some people think Democracy happens on it's own. It doesn't. But we're making it happen."
Posted by: Alan Smith on November 6, 2012
Howdy from Bowling Green! The SOKY chapter got together for our second phone bank last night, and it was as much fun as we coud handle!
Eight members braved the cold and drizzly weather for pizza and a little democracy in action.
We called around 250 people and had some great conversations. Our meeting space is often shared by ESL classes, and we were delighted when one student and one instructor volunteered to make calls with us!
We also hope to have another student ride with us in the sound truck today, joining Jason Brown on the megaphone.
We'll also have a phalanx of bike riders alongside the truck today...pictures of that to come.
Posted by: Beth Bissmeyer on November 6, 2012
Here are a couple of fun images from our Jefferson County voter mobilization work this morning.
A picture of two Manual High School students Sam and Deep doing visibility work to encourage people to vote at 2nd and Broadway.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on November 6, 2012
In Northern Kentucky this morning, we have members here at Groove Coffee House helping with last-imute voter mobilization calls.
Members pictured are Sean McDonald (of Covington) and Carl Ralston (of Independence) who came out to help with our turnout calls starting at at 8:00 a.m.
Incidentally, you can stop by to say hello with your I Voted sticker and get 30% off.
Posted by: Beth Bissmeyer on November 6, 2012
I picked up a man, Thomas, who lives off Preston Highway so he could vote at 6am. When we pulled up to his polling place, there was a line of people out the door waiting to vote. Fifteen minutes later when Thomas came out of St. Rita's, he said, "It's exciting to see that many other people voting." I asked him what races he was excited to vote in. "All of them! This is actually my first time voting, so I'm excited just to vote."
Thomas then told me he is a Texas native and it was his path to recovery that brought him to Kentucky. He has been sober for seven years and now teaches and helps others in their recovery. And he just voted for the first time. Moments like that is what makes this work so worthwhile, when you see democracy in action and see people lifting themselves up by making their voices heard.
- Beth Bissmeyer
Posted by: Dave Newton on November 6, 2012
It's 6:00 a.m. Eastern time and polls are open across most of Kentucky.
So get out and vote! - and use these last 12 hours to do what you can to get other people learning about the candidates and voting.
Polls will be open until 6:00 p.m. local time. If you're in line at 6:00 p.m. you'll be able to vote even if you actually cast your vote a few minutes later. But don't cut it close!
Keep an eye on this blog throughout the day. We're going to have lots of updates of our activities throughout the state - with pictures, stories, and quotes from our members.
And finally - please keep an eye out for election irregularities - folks having trouble voting at polls, folks trying to buy votes, etc. If you do see anything like that out there, please let us know so we can try to intervene.
