Whether you’re stumpin’ for Trump or hopin’ for Hilary, get out the vote (GOTV) efforts are an important part of every election. Campaigns and perhaps the county apparatus will have a GOTV effort. A cracker-jack precinct chair may independently organize an effort in their precinct (assuming they accessed Voter Vault or whatever the current iteration is to target sympathetic voters.) But in the end, nothing is as effective as old fashioned neighbor-to-neighbor coordination. No GOTV plan can account for all variables, all that we as individuals can do is gather likeminded individuals and get as organized as possible. If we can eliminate the big obstacles we have done what we can.

One obstacle that makes voting difficult for some is finding someone to watch over the children. A solution is to have a designated group babysitter. The designated babysitter votes early, and if necessary takes the day off from work. All the members who are working and need babysitting pitch in a few bucks for a pizza order. The children are dropped off at the designated babysitter after school and stay there until the parents have voted. Since this is neighborhood organized, the children can exit the school bus at the designated address on election day. The parents can write a note authorizing the alternative drop off and give it to the school or have the children give it to the bus driver on election day. Call the school in advance and find out what the requirements are.

A second obstacle is transportation. This ties in nicely with the neighbor-to-neighbor theme. While you’re organizing the child watching take time to make sure everyone has a way to get to the polls. Since it’s neighborhood organized everyone in the group should have the same voting location. The same logistical planning applies. Have a designated driver who votes early and a list of people who need to be picked up. Then call and set a window to pick them up. A simple excel sheet by the person organizing the GOTV effort is all that’s needed.

Five columns:

Name Address Phone Number Time (pick up) Childcare needed

The time to organize is now. The logistics are simple, but the planning takes time. Happy organizing!