Petition Party
The volunteers received a training on collecting signatures and we prepared to head out to the neighborhood.
The Rules:
- Verify signer is a registered voter in TX District 126 at their current address.
- The registered voter did not vote in a primary election this year.
- Read the statement on the petition form.
To verify if the resident is eligible to sign, we can use the list prepared after verifying name and address. If the resident isn’t on the list you can look them up with the Harris County Tax Office.
And we set out to make our democracy better. Some volunteers stayed behind to prepare the campaign giveaway candy!
Meeting Neighbors Door-to-Door
The campaign committee had prepared a “walk list” that was a list of registered voters who had not voted in the primary, organized by address. My walking partner and I headed toward the first address. I had shadowed Lisa but was excited to ask for my first signature.
Every one has a ring doorbell these days, so you can be confident they know you are there. Our first house tried to tell us, “they didn’t want any,” to which I explained I was their neighbor and was asking them for their signature.
The first response was defensive, but the resident came outside to learn more. As I explained that I was gathering signatures for my wife to have access to the ballot as a state representative for the Texas District 126, our district, the resident started to understand. I wasn’t there to sell them something they didn’t need. I was there offering them an opportunity to participate in the change in politics they wanted to see.
We talked to many neighbors. We built trust by explaining we were local volunteers, not paid signature hunters. Many residents didn’t appear to be home. Some residents were home but didn’t answer the door (thanks door to door sales internet companies!). But I talked to a few people who’s reactions and perspectives I’ll summarize as:
- Suspicious of what I was asking for, but warmed up and were were willing to sign after explaining Lisa’s position for the state to protect civil liberties of Texans, and fund public schools.
- Understood the need for independent representation and were willing to sign immediately.
- Was engaged in politics and had recently voted in the primary. Was disappointed that they couldn’t sign. I told them to sign up for email on the website (hi) and spread the word so we can get more people to help gather signatures.
Next Steps
We need more people to be willing to go into their neighborhoods and gather signatures from their neighbors.
We need people eligible and willing to sign the petition to reach out via email to setup an appointment to sign.
Thank you to all the campaign volunteers, we can’t do this with out you!
