Washblog

Let's talk about the caucus.  How'd it go?  I've heard from others that many presented and passed our resolutions.  It also sounds like the meeting formats (?) used were a bit different.  Some caucuses read the resolutions, some debated, some just mingled.  I'd also like to understand what's ahead and make a strategy.

Here's my brief report...

I posted our 3 election integrity resolutions to WashBlog.  Got some positive feedback.  I also forwarded them to whatever Republicans I knew or could find, like Tim, Stefan, KC Council Member Lambert, etc.  I even tried to contact the KC GOP Vice Chair Lori Sotelo.  (After asking around a bit, I'm told she's the "go to" person for election reform stuff.)

Juli P and I attended our caucus, the only two from our precinct.  There were 28 people for about 30 precincts.  Juli and I elected each other, so we're going to the LD caucus.  I didn't know what to expect.  So I put our resolutions and the Labor Temple announcement on the handout table.  That didn't really work, so I walked around, handing out resolutions, and chatted people up.  I'm pretty sure everybody passed our resolutions for their own precincts.  The social networking part was great and a few people have contacted me since.

The three resolution topics we choose was a great strategy.  The automatic restoration for ex-felons allows us to start a chat with the liberals.  The opposition to 100% vote by mail opens the door with the conservatives.  And, of course, most everyone is against black box voting.

The responses were great.  I was surprised how easy it was to sell the anti-VBM resolution to the rank and file.  I'm spacing the guy's name, but he's a longtime LD regular, anyway, he was solidly against VBM, thought the Dems were nuts for supporting it, and pointed out that former Sec of State Ralph Munro was the original sponsor.  (Note that Munro is the guy behind Vote Here, an online voting scheme.)

What's next...

My understanding is the 46 LD caucus is April 22nd.  I'd like us to prepare for that.

During our most recent WCFE "planning committee" (Elizabeth, Julie, Juli, Phil, me) we decided to write a position paper on 100% vote by mail, which can serve double duty as background for the resolution opposing 100% VBM.

I'm asking around, trying to learn what will happen at the LD caucus.  Can we introduce new or updated resolutions?  Will we get to read everyone's resolutions before the caucus?  Will there be a reading and Q&A for each resolution?  Etc.

I'm also still trying to figure out how to engage the GOP.  (Election integrity is a non-partisan issue.)  Any help with that would be great.  Contacts, names, meetings to attend, whatever.  Thanks.

Cheers, Jason