Electioneering - Up Close and Personal

Got up in the dark at 5 am today to post signs and station myself at the polling place for my precinct. I had volunteered to take the 6-9 am shift there to encourage people to vote in favor of calling a new constitutional convention in Illinois. (See my previous post.) Luckily, it is warm (70s) and sunny today - and I only had to run back down the block once for a bathroom break!

Despite the predictions of long lines to vote on Election Day, there was only a slow but steady trickle of voters in the morning. Most voters only nodded when I made my pitch, but a few told me they were definitely going to vote Yes. A few said, "No way," but that's no surprise since my precinct has a lot of teachers, police and fire fighters - all of whom were told by their unions to vote against it. They're afraid that a new Con-Con would be used to cut their pensions - not true! Only one guy wanted to talk about it - AFTER he voted. When he asked me why I was in favor of a new Con-Con, I began my talking points (I had done my reading!) and he wanted to debate them, but some of his neighbors came out and he got distracted. End of debate. At any rate, most people were nice even if they figured out ways to avoid walking by me so I couldn't hand them a voting card. I still called after them anyway.

The big surprise? There were NO other poll watchers or electioneers standing around with me within our legal space limits. Where were the Republicans and the Democrats?? They're always there at every other election! They must have decided Illinois was a done deal. I thought I would have to fight for my fair share of the lawn space for signs, and outshout the other guys when voters came by, but this was a cakewalk. Our cause is a longshot, but the great weather today and lack of "distractions" at the polling place have given us our best chance.

Politicking with United Power

One of the best things about my neighborhood church is the fact that it supports United Power for Action and Justice, a coalition of local churches/synagogues/mosques and community action groups. Two weeks ago, middle daughter and I went to a political rally, sponsored in part by UP, in support of a new constitutional convention in Illinois. UP hopes that a new Con-Con will provide a remedy to the stalemate that prevents so much needed legislation in the state capitol.

Other United Power events we've attended:
1. A scheduled political debate between the candidates for U.S. Senator from Illinois four years ago - our first up close look at Barack Obama (the other candidate didn't show up - later we heard he had dropped out of the race).

2. A meeting between members of local mosques and anyone else who wanted to meet them. It was great to pray together, talk one-to-one, and hear the Muslim leaders encouraging their members to "get out there and make yourself known" by joining school boards, running for local offices, etc. Not easy for them in the year or two after 9/11 when Muslims anywhere were vulnerable to hate crimes.

3. A meeting two years ago with the now embattled governor to ask for his support for state-funded health insurance for children in low-income families, among other things. My son jumped from his seat in the high school auditorium where we met on a Sunday afternoon and disappeared as soon as the last speaker started his closing remarks. When he turned up in the parking lot later on, he said he wanted to speak to the governor in person to tell him about the pressing need for state funding for public transportation in Chicago - and did so! How he got past security is unknown.

In addition to working for many excellent causes to benefit forgotten people, UP brings together a wonderful mix of people! It's always good to be part of it.