Pinal County Republican Committee. Precinct Committeeman Handbook

Transcription

1 Pinal County Republican Committee Precinct Committeeman Handbook Adopted Jan 5,

2 THE EFFECTIVE PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN Thank you for working for the Arizona Republican Party in the most important position in the Party - Precinct Committeeman. You are the heart, soul and strength of this party. Grassroots activism begins with you. You represent the Party to your neighbors and in turn you are the eyes and ears of the Arizona Republican Party. The Conservative Republican Precinct Committeeman ( PC ) L.E.A.D.S. by Listening, Educating, Activating and Deciding elections, and Supporting the candidates, the party, and our voters. You make THE difference in elections by following the guidelines in this handbook to register new Republican voters and get them to vote. Your actions in your precinct will determine whether good Republicans are elected to all levels of public office. A group of Republican Precinct Committeemen from counties all over the state prepared this manual for YOU. Check with your District or County Chair or your County Republican Headquarters to discover the many opportunities for hands-on training and education. Call them to learn how you may further volunteer the Party, and your country needs you! Together we will build and sustain the best conservative Republican Party organization in the country, support the people of the State of Arizona, endeavor to adhere to the principles and platform of the Party, and promote The Constitution and the Founding Fathers principles of limited government for a citizenry endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights amongst which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 2

3 Republican Principles I am a Republican Because I BELIEVE that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights; that what has been granted must not be compromised by any man or government. I BELIEVE in the guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, in the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. I BELIEVE in adherence to The Constitution, that government only has those powers specifically delegated to it by the people. I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability, that individual destiny lies in the hand of the individual. I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. I BELIEVE that the birthright of each American is to be educated to the maximum of his ability, to enjoy the fruits of his labor and is free to advance in economic status to the best of his ability. I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions specifically delegated to it that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. "Your love of liberty - your respect for the laws - your habits of industry - and your practice of the moral and religious obligations are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness." -- George Washington,

4 Chapter 1 The Basics What Is A Precinct? Basic Party Organization PC Job Description Essential Functions Election Year Responsibilities PC Qualifications Two Ways To Become A PC What Is A Precinct? The precinct is the smallest political unit in the country; each precinct responds to one polling place. A precinct is where elections are won or lost. Most importantly, it is your neighborhood. You know the people, the schools, and the community centers. You have your hand on the pulse of the precinct. You understand the assets and needs of your neighborhood and have a desire to improve it. Never underestimate the power of the precinct-based leader! It is the PC, actively participating in the Republican Party at the precinct level, who wins elections and promotes conservative Republican values and ideals at the local, state, and national levels. Basic Party Organization The Arizona Republican Party organization would not exist but for the PC. Being a PC means using the tools the County and State Republican Parties provide you to organize your precinct and educate the voters in it. It involves a minimum time commitment of a few hours a month every month (slightly more during campaign season) and the ability to help on Election Day to help Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV). Bottom line, though, you, an elected PC, decide HOW you will encourage your fellow Republican voters to vote in the primary and general elections. 4

5 The Party s basic organization, from local to state level, is: Precinct volunteer/neighborhood/block captain Precinct Committeeman (multiple per precinct) Precinct Captain (the point person among all the PCs in the precinct; elected by fellow PCs in the precinct) District Committee and District Chair (elected by fellow PCs; corresponds to Legislative Districts; not applicable in some counties) County Committee and County Chair (elected by fellow PCs) State Committee (composed of PCs who have been elected State Committee members by fellow PCs of their districts/counties) State Executive Committee and State Chair (elected by State Committee members; At-Large members appointed by Chair) PCs to understand and know the timing of county leadership, state committeemen and state leadership elections and that only elected PCs may vote in these elections. The outline below provides a basic timeline. Refer to the state bylaws, county bylaws and meeting schedule announcements for more detail. January of even years o State Mandatory Meeting, election of non-statutory officers o County Mandatory Meeting, election of members-at-large March/April of even years o Reapportionment of Committeemen in each precinct May of even years o Precinct Committeemen submit partisan nomination petitions to qualify for the Primary Election August/September in even years o Election of Precinct Committeemen in the Primary Election After Primary Election and before State Statutory meeting 5

6 o County Statutory Meeting, election of officers and State Committeemen (1 state committeeman per 3 elected PCs) January of odd years PC Job Description o State Statutory Meeting, election of officers The PC serves as the main communication source between the Arizona Republican Party and current and future Republicans in their precinct. The PC is charged with connecting the people in the precinct to the Republican Party, and the Party to the People. The PC fills the roles that follow. Keep in mind one may begin slowly, filling one or two at the start. Your Precinct Captain, District Chair or County Chair are always available to provide support and answer questions. Remember, you are providing a wonderful service to the Party and to your community. Have fun! Essential Functions 1. Obtain the precinct map and walking lists for your precinct and familiarize yourself with your neighbors and the geography of the precinct. 2. Get to know your Republican and Independent neighbors: a. Host a house party and invite your neighbors to talk about politics and issues concerning your precinct. b. Canvass the precinct using the walking list or call list. Keep track of changes in voter data on your lists (change of address or phone, candidate preferences, etc.) and update the Voter File with the new data (through your Chair or local Rep HQ). 3. Register new Republican voters, either at their door or online. a. Canvass Republican households and make sure all eligible voters in the house are registered. b. Check your local paper for home sales in your precinct to welcome new neighbors and register them to vote as Republicans. c. Contact members of groups you belong to and register them to vote as Republicans, in person or online! d. Canvass the non-party-affiliated voters in your neighborhood; encourage them to re-register as Republicans. 4. Participate in District/County Republican Party meetings, events, and activities including providing assistance to your local Republican Party by 6

7 staffing registration drives and tables, by supporting local candidates, and by taking part in local fundraising efforts. 5. Be a visibly proud Arizona Republican display yard signs, window signs, campaign buttons, bumper stickers. 6. Recruit new PCs and other volunteers in your precinct and communicate with them regularly. Adding volunteers means you can divide the precinct for more personal contact with the voters. It also means providing additional support and backup for each other and for your candidates. Develop winning strategies by using the group s collective skills, contacts, and energy to get the job done! 7. Remember that likeminded conservatives who for reasons of their own do not wish to register as a Republican are still our friends. Offer to take them to, or be involved with them in, nonpartisan conservative activities and groups. Conservative groups are fertile grounds for Republican support and recruiting volunteers and new Republican voters. Election Year Responsibilities You may be called upon to do some of the following during campaign season: 1. Reach out to all who want to volunteer within your precinct and get them active. 2. Obtain petition signatures and $5 Clean Election contributions for Republican candidates to qualify them for the ballot. 3. Distribute Party and candidate literature through door-to-door canvassing. 4. Help identify where independent voters stand on our Republican candidates. 5. Hold house parties for Republican candidates. 6. Promote Vote-by-Mail (VBM) and in-person Early Voting among Republican and conservative supporters. 7. Help the Party to chase early ballots to ensure they are returned. 8. Help ensure a strong and effective Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) effort in the final four days of the campaign including any Party-designed GOTV plan. 9. Recommend Republican and conservative Independents within your precinct to work as Poll Workers on Election Day our front line of defense in voter protection. PC Qualifications 1. Any registered Republican is eligible to become a PC in the precinct in which he or she lives. 7

8 2. All you need is heart and the desire to roll up your sleeves to help achieve Republican victories. Two Ways To Become A PC Appointment: Most PCs start out as appointed PCs because state elections are only held every two years in even years. It is very easy to apply for the PC position; it requires that you complete a short form, which is then submitted to your District/County Chairman. Your Country or District Chair or officers will assist you in the process. The County Party then recommends you to the Board of Supervisors, who in turn officially appoints you as a Precinct Committeeman after simply verifying your voter registration and precinct. Appointed PCs participate in the party organization and may vote in county, district, and precinct matters except for the election of officers, state committeemen, etc. at the biennial District and County statutory and mandatory reorganization meetings. Ballot Election: During the primary election of even years, Republicans in your precinct elect one committeeman for each 125 Republican voters or fraction thereof registered in the precinct. To become an elected PC, you must: 1. Complete and submit the Partisan Affidavit for Nomination Paper to your county election board. (Your District Chair, County Chair or County Elections has this.) 2. Collect the required number of valid signatures from Republicans in your precinct on a partisan nomination petition form and submit it to your county election board. Typically, this means having to collect about 10 to 15 signatures, including your own. (Your District Chair, County Chair, County Elections and the Secretary of State has this.) 3. Your name will be placed on the Primary Election Ballot, unless there is no need due to the seat being uncontested. Note: If you did not file your nomination petition in time you can also fill out a Write-in Candidate form. For election as a write-in, you will need as many writein votes as you would have needed signatures on your nominating petition. PC Term of Office: All PC terms run from the Primary Election of an even year to the Primary Election two years later. Thus, even if you become an appointed PC, 8

9 to remain a PC you must become either a ballot-elected PC in the Republican Primary or be appointed again after the primary. There are a couple of key advantages to being a ballot-elected PC: Elected PCs are eligible to run for the State Committee and for District, County, and State Party offices at the biennial statutory and mandatory reorganization meetings. Elected PCs count towards each County s/legislative District s quota of State Committee members. (State Committee is one of the governing bodies of the State Party, helps determine Party policy and platforms and is responsible for electing State Party leaders.) Whether ballot-elected or appointed, all PCs serve the same purpose: To get Republicans elected at the local, state, and national levels. PCs have certain rights and privileges by state/county statutes and Party bylaws: All PCs are eligible to seek election as a delegate to national conventions. Elected PCs elect a slate of qualified replacements for resigned state legislative seats and are responsible for filling candidate vacancies upon the death of a candidate for the general election. The total of all appointed and elected PCs constitutes the County Committee of the Republican Party. County bylaws specify the duties for PCs: 1. Support District, County, and State organizations. 2. Assist in registering Republican voters. 3. Canvass and campaign in your precincts on behalf of Republican Candidates. 4. Encourage and assist Republican and positively ID d conservative independent voters with Vote by Mail (VBM) and Early Voting. 5. On Election Day, assist by turning out a maximum Republican and independent conservative vote (GOTV). 9

10 CHAPTER 2 Getting Started How to be an effective PC, know your precinct, know your neighbors, & know your party organization Know Your Precinct Know Your Neighbors Know Your Local And Clean Elections Laws Know The Issues Know The Party Organization Know your precinct Know the boundaries, the number of houses and apartment complexes, the religious centers, schools, and businesses. Obtain a map of the area and study it. To get a rough map indicating your precinct s boundaries, go to and use the zoom in function on an interactive legislative map. For Maricopa County, really good precinct maps can be obtained at To our knowledge, this is the only County Recorder that offers this online service. Less detailed, static precinct maps for some counties can be found on County Election s websites. Precinct Information - This information is available on your County Recorder s website. Understand the Demographics in your precinct. The economic and cultural makeup, number of professionals, business owners, contractors, veterans, students of voting age, total Republican population, Independents, etc. You will obtain this information by canvassing your precinct and by checking the walking lists you create from Voter Vault or that you receive from the Arizona Republican Party through your County Party organization. 10

11 Know your neighbors Get acquainted with the Republicans in your precinct; meet their families and learn their interests and concerns. Get to know them on a personal level as much as possible and make sure they know you are a resource for them. (Give them your phone number.) Make sure that in households with at least one registered Republican, you ask all the other adults if they too would like to register Republican. Keep track of young people who will be turning 18 before Election Day and get them registered to vote. Most importantly, focus on relationships; build trust. NOTE: We are NOT focused on Democrats; they would be a priority only after you ve gotten to know ALL the Republicans, ALL the Independents, and ALL the Party-Not-Designated. Know Your Local And Clean Elections Laws Don t fret! You will learn all the following information and more by simply attending your monthly District/County Republican Party meetings. Know the deadlines for registering for the Primary and General Elections. Be aware of the laws concerning poll workers and poll monitors. Know the facts about state and city elections, school board elections, and bond elections. With Clean Elections, know the deadlines for candidates to submit signatures and $5 contributions. Be familiar with the $5 Contribution Forms, so you can help our candidates get their donations in time. Know The Issues Read your local newspapers to learn about the major concerns affecting your city, county, and the state. Know the prevalent issues in your community and how people in your precinct feel about them. Stay informed by visiting the Arizona Republican Party website ( and your County Party s website. Learn about important state issues and Republican Party positions. Finally, be upto-date on what s happening in state government by visiting the Governor website ( and the State Legislature s website ( Know The Party Organization By attending your monthly committee meetings, you will get acquainted with your District/County Officers, State Party Officers, and elected Republican 11

12 officials. Keep up to date on Party activities. Support activities of your District and County organizations and the Arizona Republican Party. Use Your Passion! You have chosen to become a PC because you felt the need to make the Party and your country better. Remember your passion as you go forward. Remember the health and well being of our country stands in the balance. We must all work together to bring back the conservative principles to the Party. 12

13 Chapter 3 Canvassing Walking the Talk! What Is Canvassing? Why Canvass? Volunteer Recruitment Neighborhood/Block Captains Service Is Key Block Walking And Other Canvass Tools Canvassing Techniques Sample Scripts Reading The Voters What Is Canvassing? Canvassing to solicit political support or to determine opinions or sentiments; a personal solicitation of votes or survey of the public s opinion. As a Precinct Committeeman, you know your constituency best. You are the precinct s opinion maker. You are the bridge between the Party, candidates and the people of your precinct. This means your neighbors and elected officials come to rely on you for information, advice, and help in solving public problems. Candidates will be soliciting your endorsement and support in elections. Your canvass will prove invaluable in your role as an elected or appointed PC. You will learn about the make-up of your precinct, what issues are important, what messages people are receiving from our candidates, how the voters feel about the Party and who is willing to help address the concerns of the area. 13

14 Why Canvass? Studies have shown that feet on the ground beat money in elections and have a higher success rate in generating votes. One canvass contact usually yields one vote. To get the same vote it takes contacting 33 people by phone or 28 by mail. People trust and respond better to their neighbors and others than robo-calls or campaign flyers. All the lobbying and candidate money cannot buy this capability. Field and telephone canvassing is a valuable means of outreach, education, and fundraising, for advocacy and non-profit organizations. However, incorporating a canvass and effective database management support allows an organization to build a real grassroots membership, recruit volunteers and develop a funding base. Canvassing is a valuable method for mobilizing members and creating visibility for legislative, issue and candidate campaigns. Mature canvass networks have refined strategies and techniques in petitioning, targeting, voter registration, letter writing, and other grassroots campaigns. Canvassing will allow you to engage and educate precinct voters, solicit volunteers and help, assist people in becoming registered to vote, provide flyers and brochures and mobilize people to get out the vote. The best way to accomplish this task is to get to know your neighbors and their needs. Canvassing does this. A canvass is preferably walking door-to-door or calling and getting to know the people in your precinct. Walking lists can be generated using Voter Vault or are available through your District or County Chair or through the State Party and, along with a precinct map, are an important tool in canvassing. Canvassing allows you to make a personal connection with the voters in your precinct. It gives you the opportunity to listen to their concerns and interests. Reassure them that you re a concerned neighbor and volunteer taking time to see how you and the Party can help them. Allow them to validate their opinions and concerns. Let them know they are not alone. Explain how constitutional principles are relevant and important to today s issues. Make sure you follow through on all requests for help. If you don t know the answers to questions, say, I don t know, but I will find out and get back to you. 14

15 You may run into like minded voters unhappy with the Party. Ask for their help in improving the problems they perceive. You can also assist them with joining a local conservative nonpartisan group that may suit their needs and interests thereby allowing time to help heal their issues with the Party. Volunteer Recruitment While you are canvassing, you will meet people who want to participate in the Party or who are interested in conservative nonpartisan groups. Keep them in mind for the following jobs and opportunities: Precinct Committeeman / Block Captains Volunteers: Precinct / Headquarters Voter Registration volunteer Donor Conservative activist Neighborhood/Block Captains These captains are responsible for the two or three square block area surrounding their homes. They will assist in voter registration when new people move into the neighborhood. They can also circulate petitions, and work on Vote-By-Mail (VBM) and Get-Out-The-Vote campaigns (GOTV). Neighborhood or Block Captains are critical, especially in rural precincts and precincts with apartment buildings and gated communities that you may not be able to access directly as a PC. Service is Key Service is the key word to remember in neighborhood canvassing. The voters in your precinct will come to rely on you and the Party for answers to their questions, solutions to their problems and encouragement to be an involved and active citizen. Meet everyone. Start a relationship. Let them know they are not alone, that there are Republicans and other conservatives in the area who agree with them. 15

16 Find out what issues are most important to them and share Republican principles and conservative values with them. Make sure everyone in the house is registered to vote. GOTV = Get-Out-The-Vote prior to elections. Recruit volunteers. Educate on issues. Educate on candidates. NEVER try to convince someone you are right and they are wrong. We ll never gain support trying to convince people they are wrong. Let them know you re a resource for them, and there are Republican and nonpartisan conservative activities they can take part in and candidates they can vote for who share their values. Do no harm. Never leave a situation worse by talking with a voter. Be prepared when you canvass with: Name Badge, T-shirt, sticker, or other visible identification Precinct map (Voter Vault will provide custom walking maps) Walking list (prepared using Voter Vault) Clipboard, pencils and pens Voter feedback list Informational literature (party, candidate, local groups) Voter registration and vote by mail forms Election dates and polling locations Names and contact information for Party and elected officials Sunscreen and water Something to carry your materials in Tips for when you canvass: Work in pairs when possible for safety, support, and fun Determine optimal time of day to visit Be prepared with a script. What will you say? 16

17 Block walking And Other Canvass Tools Face-to-face contact is the most effective way to meet people, exchange information, and make an impression for the Party and candidates. Your walking list contains house-by-house information in terms of registered voters, party affiliation, and whether they have voted in the last four elections (including local elections). Your list tells you the registered Republicans in your precinct and which houses may not have any registered voters. Discuss the issues which are important to THEM. By looking for the following you can get an idea of what those issues may be to give you more insight: Bumper stickers or window decals: What issues are brought up? Do they indicate issue preferences? Do they indicate particular values? Family: What type of family do they have? For example, if they have small children, crime, education, and the future of our economy may be important to them. If they are an older couple, the impact of taxes and inflation on fixed incomes may be important, etc. Job: What does the person do for a living? For example, if they are a professional, what might that indicate about their values and daily concerns? What about a business owner or skilled tradesman? Compliment them: Find something to compliment them on when you introduce yourself. For example, if their lawn is beautiful, compliment them on it. Canvassing Techniques Telephone calls: If you cannot walk or prefer to call people, your walking list also contains phone numbers. Calling is also a great way to break the ice and mobilize Republicans and get the message out. House parties: Invite Republicans and conservative Independents in your precinct to your home to meet other like-minded neighbors. At your House Party, have your fellow neighbors meet candidates and learn about issues. House parties do not have to be elaborate punch and cookies is fine and they help build your Republican community. 17

18 Nonpartisan Conservative Groups: You will encounter voters that hold conservative principles but have issues with the Party or who prefer to stay independent. These types of voters can be invited to become involved with nonpartisan conservative groups. In this way they can be involved with likeminded groups that will tend to vote Republican and allow time for their issues with the Party to be addressed in a safe environment. Nonpartisan conservative groups provide excellent places to meet nonaligned conservatives, encourage members to register as Republicans and recruit volunteers and Precinct Committeemen. Be active in nonpartisan conservative groups because they naturally fit with Republican principles and provide a bridge into grassroots conservative activism. No matter how you canvass your precinct, EVERYTHING you do is valuable to the Party. Sample Scripts Hello is home? Hi, my name is and I am a Republican Precinct Committeeman in Precinct who lives in/near your neighborhood. (Option 1) I am calling to let you know there are lots of Republicans in our district, and that our Party is holding a meeting/event on at. I will be there and I want to encourage you to attend also. (Option 2) Local Republicans are meeting to organize for future campaigns. I was hoping you could tell me about some issues important to you and that need to be addressed. (Option 3) I am calling because I see that you have voted in the last several elections, which indicates to me that you are engaged in the political process. The upcoming elections are going to be very important to our country/state/county/city and we must elect candidates who will change the direction that we are moving in. (Option 4) there are openings in your precinct for Republican Precinct Committeemen. I am wondering if you would consider becoming a PC to 18

19 represent Precinct. A Precinct Committeeman would be required to commit time and energy to the County Republican Party. This would entail making phone calls and getting to know the people in your precinct, handing out campaign information, helping register voters, etc. We would provide training. PCs are expected to attend the District/County meetings. If you are interested, I can drop off helpful information which will assist you in making a decision. (Option 5), I understand you don't have the time to be a Precinct Committeeman, however, would you be willing to assist candidates in making phone calls or passing out campaign materials in your neighborhood? Thanks for your time. Let me give you my phone number, in case I can answer any questions you may have in the future. It s. I hope to talk with you again soon. Goodbye. Reading the Voters Things to think about while you are out walking: You take a quick look around. What do you see and what might it tell you about the person whose home you are visiting? What might each of the cues listed below tell you about the voters who live there? Toys in sight Football, basketball, or soccer ball Religious symbols U.S. flag Well tended flower garden Expensive car License plate Out-of-state Collegiate Child abuse prevention Veteran Disabled 19

20 Bumper stickers My child is an honor student at NRA FFA 4H Buy American Support our Troops Semper Fi Licensed Contractors Build Confidence Police or File Department SADD MADD Previous campaigns 2 nd Amendment 20

21 CHAPTER 4 Registering Voters Complying With Proposition 200 To register to vote you must be: Complying With Proposition 200 Voter Registration General Information Registration Plan County Recorder Information A citizen of the United States 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election An Arizona resident for 29 days before the election Able to write your name (unless physically disabled) Not convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been restored) Not adjudicated an incapacitated person First time registrants must include proof of citizenship by one of the Following: An Arizona Driver s license or ID issued after 10/1/1996 (write the # in Box13) Legible copy of birth certificate and supporting documentation if your name is now different Legible copy of passport Presentation to County Recorder of US Naturalization documents or Alien Number in Box 19 Indian Census #, BIA Card #, Tribal Treaty #, or Tribal Enrollment # in Box 15 Legible copy of Tribal Certificate of Indian blood or BIA Affidavit of birth 21

22 If you need to send a photocopy, please fold it and place it with the registration form in an envelope to mail to your County Recorder. Voter Registration General Information You must re-register whenever you move, change your name, or change your party affiliation. If you move within a county, change your name, or change your party affiliation, you do not need to provide proof of citizenship. If you move to another county you will need to provide proof of citizenship. Early ballots may be requested from your County Recorder. Alternative format materials, sign language interpretation, and assistive listening devices are available with 72 hours notice to your County Recorder for individuals with disabilities. If your registration is current, you should receive a sample ballot with the address of your polling place. Vote by mail ballots may be requested from the County Recorder or from the Republican Party. You may also sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List so that you automatically receive an Early Voting Ballot. If you receive an Early Voting Ballot then decide you want to go to the Poll, remember to take the ballot package with you or you will be given a provisional ballot. Registration Plan Always have Registration Forms and Early Ballot Requests with you when you walk your precincts. Ask if there are any unregistered Republicans living here who would like to register. You may leave the form to be filled out but it is preferable to wait while they fill it out and sign it. Review it for legibility and completion, give them the receipt (second page) and either mail it for them or drop it off at the Recorder or a GOP office. Offer to set up a table at a mall, your church, club meetings, fairs, gun shows, naturalization ceremonies and, of course, nonpartisan conservative groups such as Tea Parties. Always get advance permission from the owner or organizer. To attract Republican registrants, your table can (and should) be colorfully decorated with Republican banners and information. Have a list of LD meetings and Republican or conservative groups to recommend. Use your imagination! Offer to visit Retirement Homes, invalids and senior citizens to register them. Get a calendar of legal dates from your county GOP leaders to determine the best dates 22

23 for registration drives. Plan with other PCs or friends to make it a fun day! Remember the law requires that you submit all forms regardless of affiliation. County Recorder Information Apache County Recorder Apache County Annex Building, First Floor 75 West Cleveland Street, Post Office Box 425 St. Johns, Arizona Tel: (928) Fax: (928) Voter Registration: Cochise County Recorder 1415 Melody Lane Bldg. B Bisbee, AZ Tel: (520) Fax: (520) Voter Registration: (520) , (520) Coconino County Recorder 110 E. Cherry Ave. Flagstaff, AZ Tel: (928) , (800) Gila County Recorder Recorder Office 1400 East Ash Globe, AZ Tel: (928) FAX: (928)

24 Graham County Recorder General Services Building 2nd Floor 921 Thatcher Blvd. Safford AZ PO Box 747 Safford AZ Phone: (928) Fax: (928) TDD: (928) Greenlee County Recorder Recorder's Office 253 Fifth St P.O. Box 1625 Clifton, AZ Phone: (928) Fax: (928) La Paz County Recorder 1112 Joshua Ave., Ste. 201 Parker, AZ Tel: (928) , or ( within the County only Maricopa 111 S. Third Ave. Phoenix AZ Phone: T.D.D

25 Mohave County Recorder P.O. Box W. Beale Street Kingman, AZ Tel: (928) TDD: (928) Navajo County Recorder 100 East Carter Drive South Highway 77 P.O. Box 668 Holbrook, AZ Tel: (928) Fax: (928) TDD: (928) Pima County Recorder 115 N. Church Avenue Tucson, AZ P.O. Box 3145 Tucson AZ Tel: (520) Fax: (520) Pinal County Recorder 31 N Pinal Street Building E Florence, AZ Tel: (520) Fax: (520)

26 Santa Cruz County Recorder 2150 N Congress Dr. Suite 101 Nogales, Az Tel: (520) Yavapai County Recorder 1015 Fair Street Prescott, AZ Tel:: (928) Fax: (928) Yuma County Recorder Tel: (928) FAX: (928) , TDD: (928)

27 Chapter 5 How to Support Your Candidates Why Candidates? Verify Your facts Formulate A Strategy Identify Yourself As A Supporter Encourage Your Neighbors Show Up Language And Attitude Get Signatures Ask For Contributions Give Your candidate Moral Support In Closing Why Candidates? Why candidates and not just candidate? When you make your selection of the candidate to whom you are ready to give your support, your time, and possibly your money you need to look at the whole party ticket. It isn t enough to research the one candidate for the one position that interests you. Unless you can see this person in the context of a comprehensive political package (platform) your efforts will be spent less productively. If you are satisfied with the incumbents in other positions within the local, state, or national election arena you still need to have a good understanding of where they stand on the issues and how compatible that is with your candidate s position. If you are volunteering your support in a primary race - there may be a number of candidates for the same office. Don t dismiss the potential of a candidate just 27

28 because they are under-funded or lack name recognition. You must support the democratic process and select candidates who stand for the principles that you hold dear. The candidate with less money and less notoriety may be the candidate who best embodies your beliefs and philosophy, and also needs volunteers the most. Know the candidates from the Republican Party and know which ones you intend to vote for and why. Then sit down with the facts about your particular candidate and involve yourself in a compare and contrast exercise. Every political campaign is about comparing and contrasting the attributes and deficiencies of the candidates. This will provide you with the ammunition you will need for all the aspects of getting your candidate elected. That is the GOAL you are going to get your candidate elected! Allocate and focus your resources by identifying the most important issues that your candidate is running on. Know what makes your candidate the best candidate for the office they are seeking. This is why volunteers do a better job door-to-door than paid employees. You believe in your candidate. Verify Your Facts Vet your candidate. Have a meeting with your candidate or their campaign manager and get the candidate s position on all the major issues. Make sure you know the historical position of your candidate and identify his/her weaknesses. Every candidate has them. It is better to know these up front so that you can diffuse the opposition. A weakness could be a failed campaign in the past; a flipflop on their position; an undesirable and unsolicited endorsement from an individual or corporation that has low voter appeal; or personal negative publicity and undesirable associations. In the current political climate on the conservative side, the game has changed. Being an incumbent is a negative issue and one that you will have to overcome by knowing your candidates voting record on important issues. Knowing what the opposition might throw at your candidate helps you to prepare an honest response. Formulate A Strategy Meet with the campaign volunteers, campaign manager, and the candidate (if possible). Develop a written plan of action. If the Campaign Manager already has this make sure to obtain a copy of it. Highlight the areas of the plan where your efforts, experience, connections and availability would be an asset, and give a copy to the campaign manager. This is called a project management tasking time line. It should list all of the players (volunteers, paid assistants, vendors who will 28

29 be used, for example, printers, media personnel, communications personnel). It should list all contact information and clearly lay out the staffing protocols and the precinct captains for each precinct in the district. Here is where you put your own PC plan together. Contact the other PCs in your precinct and arrange a meeting. Find out which candidates the other PCs are supporting. If they haven t selected their candidates try to recruit them for your team. Show them the advantages of working together for the same candidate as a team and how much more effective that is. If they are working for a candidate running for a different position than your candidate see if you can make a pact to do a mutual endorsement and thereby help each other. If this is not possible, try to recruit other PCs in your precinct to work with you. Identify Yourself As A Supporter If you have the lapel pin for your candidate, wear it. Wear your PC credentials and your Republican Committee I.D. Badge. You can get a lanyard with holder for your PC credentials at the local office supplies store, for example, Staples or Office Max. Obtain or have made bumper stickers for your car, and/or magnetic signs with your candidate s name and photograph on it. Example: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington VOTE J. SMITH. Tell everyone you meet in all walks of your life about your enthusiasm for your candidate and why you feel that way. Ask them for their vote if they reside in the correct district for your candidate. Encourage Your Neighbors Encourage your neighbors in your precinct to come out to hear your candidate. Give them dates and times where they can hear him speak and can ask questions. Offer to them updates on where the candidate will be speaking next, giving them new endorsement information, and generally make yourself available to them via , telephone, or in person. If you are a member of a grassroots organization invite your candidate to be a guest speaker, provide literature to your group, and volunteer to help set up a debate between the candidates. You can invite your candidate to your Republican Party PC meetings and to the various Republican clubs to speak. Show Up! When your candidate requests your presence at any event where he/she is going to speak do everything in your power to show up and assist in any way that you 29

30 can. If some citizen is harassing the candidate and not allowing her/him to interact with other voters at that event rescue them! Swoop in with other supporters and crowd them away from your candidate. Engage them in dialog by asking questions and letting them ramble on. This can be a big help so that your candidate can get their message out to real voters and not be waylaid by lookie loo s. Language And Attitude Primarily use decent language and a positive approach. I say primarily because there will be instances when you must speak up loud and not be intimidated to aggressively defend your right to be heard for your candidate. Liberals use shouting slogans and talking points repeatedly to drown out logic and opposition and they don t want the voters to hear the facts. Remember, in their world, the end justifies the means. This is directly from the activist bible: Saul Alinsky s Rules for Radicals. Say it loud to their faces: It s my turn to talk your turn to be quiet. When you hear a lie being spouted say it: That is a lie, you need to use truth to make a point not make up lies to distort the truth. Get Signatures Help you candidate the signatures they need to get on the ballot. Going door-todoor to get signatures for your candidate can be one of the most enjoyable activities for a PC, although some people, due perhaps to shyness, do not warm to this essential task. It become easier with experience just do it! Just remember that you are going up to the door as a representative of freedom and truth. You are one of the good guys. You are a little like Publishers Clearing House you are bringing good news news that may result in a positive change in their lives! Never be embarrassed. You aren t selling snake oil you are selling our right to vote and to live in a constitutional republic! Don t forget to sign your own petition for your candidate(s) and to sign your PC Nominating Petition as well. You are allowed to sign for yourself! Ask For Contributions Ask for contributions to the campaign. Have receipts ready. 30

31 Give Your Candidate Moral Support Running in a political campaign is something most people would never have the courage to do. Your candidate is only human they have their doubts and their weak moments when they wonder what they could have been thinking when they decided to run for office. Give them many words of encouragement and high praise for their desire to make a difference for us and for our children and grandchildren. If he/she is doing it out of their frustration with corruption, erosion of our Constitution, and the desire to contribute positively to his/her community - it is one of the most selfless and patriotic things a citizen can do for his country. If soldiers can die for America and freedom around the world we can be uncomfortable for a few hours as we seek to improve our country s chance for survival. In the 2010 and 2012 elections this will never be more accurate. If we lose these two elections -- we lose America as we know her. Remind your candidate why you support them and believe in them. We will assume that the candidate you selected is a righteous person one of integrity, and a law abiding citizen. In that case, he isn t going to make a ton of money in a public position. We will also assume that your candidate is intelligent, and educated so that you are confident that if he/she is elected, they can do the job satisfactorily. That means that they either have or could have a successful career outside of politics. This is the best type of candidate. They run, get elected, stay long enough to clean up the mess from their predecessor or continue in the successes of their predecessor. Then they go back home to become regular citizens, making room for new brave citizens willing to make the sacrifice. In Closing Let me remind you that being a PC is an important position. You do it because you are a patriot. Your candidate is a patriot who is putting everything on the line. Conservatives are traditionally subdued and in general do not seek loud public displays or rouse to the slogans of angry crowds. It takes a lot of frustration to pull us out of our books and civil discourse among fellow conservatives. Here we are, in a hotly disputed fight over the future of America. It is 2010 and America is sliding headlong into socialism and a type of fascism that we have never seen in America before. We are not accustomed to reducing our statements to ten second sound bites or slick marketing slogans. That has always 31

32 been the methodology of the Left the liberal penchant for quick fixes, throwing taxpayer money at any problem, and wallowing in a simplistic lack of intellectual acuity that appeals to the uneducated constituents of the Democratic Party controlled and manipulated get mine voters. It is too late to educate them, too late to save them from themselves. But we can still throw America a lifeline that will stave off the Progressives while we get our own house in order. Do not despair in the fourth quarter of this battle! Everything you do as a PC, every person you talk with, every flier you hand out, every intelligent voter that you register, every telephone call that you make is a nail in the political coffin of those who plot to destroy our Republic. We can take back both houses in November 2010, and take back the White House in We can repeal or not fund the destructive legislation that was passed by tyrants who did not represent the people. When their political machine lands in Arizona to rescue their turncoat representatives we need to be ready for them. Supporting your Republican candidate is the most important chapter in this PC Manual. Come to the PC meetings, bring your literature for your candidate, share your insight, share your tips, work together we are an army - let s organize like one! 32

33 Chapter 6 Winning Elections Early Voting Vote By Mail Get-Out-The-Vote Voter Protection Today s winning campaigns require a strong focus on field efforts, including doorto-door canvassing, phone calls, and letter. The bottom-line goal is this: we win elections by getting all of our supporters to vote and especially to vote early. Early Voting Early voting (both by mail and in person) has been responsible for the steady increase in the overall voter turnout in Arizona over the past few general elections. From 1996 to 2004, early voting in Arizona increased tremendously, and now accounts for almost half of all votes cast in statewide races. During this same time period, overall voter turnout in Arizona has gone from less than 64% to more than 77%, attesting to the importance of early voting. Republicans outperform Democrats in early voting, an edge we need to exploit. Any registered voter may vote in person before Election Day at early voting polling places across the state. Early voting begins 33 days before every primary and general election. Every County Recorder s office designates and publicizes particular polling places that function as early voting polling places. Contact your County Recorder s office and find out the early voting locations in your areas, their address, phone and hours of operation. 33

34 Early voting is the same as voting on Election Day. You show up, sign the voter roll, receive and fill out your ballot, and place your ballot in a secure box. Early ballots begin being counted about one week before Election Day. An advantage of early voting is that your ballot cannot be rejected for voting in the wrong precinct, as it could be on Election Day. You do not need to plan in advance to vote early, just do it! Early voting ends at the close of business on the last Friday before Election Day. Once the County Recorder s office verifies the voter s signature on the outside of the ballot the early ballot is counted. Vote by Mail (VBM) Any registered voter can request to receive their ballot in the mail and can submit their ballot by mail. This program, called Vote-By-Mail, is offered by all County Recorders in Arizona and is a great way to ensure that our supporters vote. Voters can visit their County Recorder s or City Clerk s websites to fill in a VMB request online, or they can fill out a VBM request card and submit it to the appropriate office. Any registered voter can request a VBM ballot beginning 93 days before the election. Requests for both primary and general election VBM ballots can be combined. VBM ballots for every other election, such as city elections, must be requested separately through the City Clerk/Elections Dept VBM requests must be received by the close of business two Friday s before Election Day. VBM requests must be renewed every year. VBM ballots begin being mailed out 33 days before both the Primary and General Elections to every registered voter who has requested one. VBM ballots that are returned by mail must be received by the appropriate official s office by Election Day. All voters still in possession of their VBM ballot the Friday before Election Day should hold onto their ballot and turn it into their polling place on Election Day. 34