So I have this idea for helping the long voting lines

[whitewomenforobama]

The first time San Francisco legalized same-sex marriage, there were long lines outside courthouses of couples waiting to finally be able to marry. People all across the country called up San Francisco florists, and ordered bouquets of flowers to be handed at random to the waiting couples. I thought this was the most beautiful gesture of the kindness of strangers I had ever heard.

What if we did something similar for those waiting in especially bad voting lines, especially poor and predominantly African-American areas and other places where lines are likely to be longer? There are people waiting hours in these lines, entire families, what if we called up their local pizza delivery shops, and asked that hot food be delivered to them? They'd probably do it if we give them a credit card over the phone, right? We could try to organize here with people that know those areas too, so we could order from Democrat-leaning mom 'n' pop-type shops whenever possible.

What do you think?

[adadem]

1. Exactly

In 2004 there were huge lines in the minority areas here.

A local Dem supporter owns a hot dog shop and he filled up catering trays full of hot dogs and we picked up cases of water and delivered them to the people standing in line to vote for Kerry. Kept them from giving up and going home.

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. Jeez

you think like a Democrat! :) I've heard of some groups doing just that - taking or ordering food, hot chocolate - whatever fits the bill. I'm sure a few cases of bottled water would be greatly appreciated, as well. Also, folding chairs, umbrellas... Even a few coloring books and crayons, or Legos or something to keep bored kids occupied.

No matter what, PEOPLE MUST NOT LEAVE WITHOUT VOTING!!! Barack has done his part, now we must do ours. :grouphug:

[whitewomenforobama]

3. I'm in Austin

where help of that kind will unlikely be needed, things seem to be running very smoothly here. I imagine there are other people here in similar situations. But I've always believed that one should contribute either time, money, or sweat, according to his means (to paraphrase, um well, Marx, I guess), and in this case, ordering pizzas for faraway states I can't personally go to seems like the best I can do.

How could we go about assembling a list of addresses where this type of help could be needed, and of trustworthy shops that would carry it out?

[whitewomenforobama]

4. Maybe DU could adopt one city

and all send our help there. Anyone?

[EmilyAnne]

7. Pick a city with no early voting. I suggest Pittsburgh, but I am pretty biased.

I was a "neighborhood captain" for my district for the primary GOTV and it was major CHAOS. The hotline number that is given out didn't work. People were confused, being sent all over the place. It was so nice to have that occasional visit from someone with a tray of sandwiches or bottles of water. My canvassers were much more inclined to grab a bite to eat and then go out for a second shift, rather than give up and go home to get something to eat.

[whitewomenforobama]

9. Are you in Pittsburgh?

Would you be able to put together a list of addresses to send to, and trustworthy shops to buy from?

[beyurslf]

10. What about Cincinatti or Cleaveland? Didn't they wait in line 8 hours or more last time?

[crispini]

14. Honey, if you're in Pittsburgh, lead up the DU effort.

I think it's a good idea and would gladly contribute a little money from "the internets" to those folks who are so unfortunate as not to have early voting. I voted Monday; 15 minute wait.

[Canuckistanian]

28. That's good. You should post an appeal

Set up a PayPal account somewhere and we'll donate to it.

[Marrah_G]

5. I think it's great sentiment

My only concern would be to make sure ahead of time (on tape on in writing) that it doesn't violate any local voting laws.

With that said, I would donate a pizza or two !

[whitewomenforobama]

11. Good point. I think that

if we don't connect it with any particular party or candidate, it would be okay. But once we pick a city, we can look into that, maybe email the Democrat organization in that city and get a reply in writing. I took coffee to the poll workers during our primaries here in Texas, and although there was some initial suspicion, and a few people grilled me to make sure no one had put me up to it and no strings were attached, they were extremely grateful.

[EmilyAnne]

6. That is a GREAT idea.

I like to bring people coffee and donuts. Its going to be very cold here in Pittsburgh and the total mayhem of high turnout and NO early voting will be pretty miserable. I plan to spend that whole day visiting each polling site in my district, making a loop, and delivering goodies when a need arises. Of course, that means I will need to be in line to cast my vote at the ass crack of dawn.

[whitewomenforobama]

8. NO early voting, yikes!

So do you think Pittsburgh would be a good target for this? Anywhere else that would be better?
I think it should be somewhere with a large African-American population, since they seem to be the most often screwed by suppression attempts and long lines, somewhere less well-off that might not have their own people to bring them food, and somewhere where we can find a trustworthy shop to carry this out for us. Coordinating our efforts towards one city might even be more likely to catch the eye of local news, and maybe inspire others to do similar things for other cities.

[nyc 4 Biden]

12. KICK & REC this!

This is a great idea. I agree that it should be in a city with the following criteria:

- High % Low Income Voters - Most likely to have obstacles (i.e. long lines) on Election Day
- No Early voting - Leads to longer lines
- Republican SOS or Governor - The state will need an extra boost
- Swing state
- City with some DU'ers on the ground - For informational and verification purposes, we don't want some GOP pizzeria stealing our dough (pun intended)

[whitewomenforobama]

16. I've never been to Pittsburgh, does it fit those criteria?

Seems like we do have some DU'ers there who could stake out our pizza-target and a good shop to buy from.

[EmilyAnne]

21. How about Philadelphia? Its true that Ohio has more of a problematic history.

[whitewomenforobama]

18. I'd add to that criteria

bad weather. People standing out in the snow and rain extra-deserve hot food.

[purji]

13. i think we should give every one bubble wrap

I mean who doesn't like popping bubble wrap.

[whitewomenforobama]

17. that is true.

:)

[Arkansas Granny]

15. That's a good idea. I'd be glad to kick in a few dollars if we could get something organized.

[nyc 4 Biden]

19. What types of food would be best?

Pizza, hot dogs, bottled water, 6' Subway hero, anything else?

[whitewomenforobama]

24. Whatever is deliverable

I'm not geographically near any place where I could help in person, so I'd like to send whatever I can get delivered over the phone with a credit card. Sandwiches work too, but I'm thinking hot, cheap food would be best, the most bang for our buck, something that all ages would like, even kids standing in line with their parents, and pizza is all that comes to mind.

[Hamlette]

20. I hate to be a concern troll but if we identify ourselves it could be seen as campaigning too near

a polling place. It's a great idea but it would have to be done (not sure of all state laws but in mine for sure) in the name of a person or group not associated with a candidate or party. How pissed would you be if McCain sent hot pizza to everyone waiting in line to vote? We'd think of it as trying to buy the votes.

[faithfulcitizen]

22. I thought the same thing. You would have to be careful to NOT to talk about Obama.

and feed McCan't people.

[whitewomenforobama]

23. Oh, absolutely.

I'd think that once we pick our target, based on our own criteria, we could research a couple pizza shops, talk to a manager, and just say we'd like to send a few pies to the people in line on voting day. We wouldn't need to identify ourselves with any party or cause, just say we want to help out voters. Which is true. We could select a polling location in a more Democratic, low-income, African-American, cold-climated area, but I feel warmly enough toward anyone willing to stand in a long, snowy line to vote, that I'm happy to feed them no matter who they're voting for. Naturally, I'd prefer they vote Obama, but I'm not running any litmus tests for who gets pizza. Whomever contacts the pizza shops should be someone who isn't known as a prominent Obama or Democrat organizer in the area so as not to cast any suspicions, and should be careful what they say when ordering, and be sincere about feeding anyone standing in line. We feed without preconditions. :)

[nyc 4 Biden]

25. When they ask who sent the food...

...just say "that one."

[whitewomenforobama]

26. or maybe, "the next President of the United States,"

and then walk away.

[whitewomenforobama]

27. There's an article in this vein on HuffPo

Here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/29/74221/299/275/645514

They seem to recommend Pennsylvania as a good target for an effort like this.

Any DU folks in Philly or Pittsburgh that would be willing to help organize something?