ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO

Montana Primary Elections are over; there are five more months now before the General Elections.  So where am I on this trip -- as a Democratic candidate for a mostly-Republican State House?

Lessons are learned.  It's not always easy to take part in a process without really taking part in that process.  My initial idea is that I can set the parameters of what I will or will not do as a candidate.  After all, I had been asked to follow this path; I had not chosen it.  I had agreed for my name to be placed on the ballot.  But as the process unfolds, it becomes clear that choices must be made at each turn.

Take presentations/discussions among and between other candidates.  Am I above it all?  Or do I have something important to say about issues that concern people of District 40?  Yes, I do have something important to say about issues and no, I am not above it all.  I resolve to get more involved but plan to take it one step, one day, at a time.

I will do what I realistically can do.  For example, in attending one meeting of the League of Women Voters (nonpartisan), I am encouraged to register people to vote.  This seems more important knowing that the Montana ballot this year will contain an issue to rescind the right to register and vote on the same day (how does this impact populations like veterans who may return from duty and find themselves relocating?).  It is also true that the more people who vote, the better represented are the views of the majority who live in that state.  Look at what happens in those elections where only a small percentage of potential voters actually vote -- the minority rules.  That should be the best reason to get people out to vote.

Last Friday is my first morning (10:00-noon) sitting in the entryway of our local IGA.  This is where representatives of local organizations usually sit when conducting fund-raisers.  With prior permission, I carry in my small library stand and several folding chairs, tape my sign that says, "Register to vote", stack my registration forms on the stand, and I'm ready for business.

"Are you registered to vote?" I query each customer who comes through the door.  The overwhelming response is "Yes" usually with enthusiasm attached.  A small minority (two maybe) say "No" and keep going.  Then there are four people in those two hours who admit they are not registered and stop to fill out the form.  One couple (youngish to middle-age) confesses this is the first time they've ever registered to vote.  I immediately feel vindicated in spending my time and effort on this project.

I deliver my completed forms to the Courthouse at noon.  A misunderstanding develops concerning whether or not voter registrations can be completed outside the Courthouse.  However, the forms are accepted and I follow up with questions to the Elections Administrator on Monday morning.  It seems that the only time voter registration forms must be completed at the Court House is 30 days prior to an election day.  More Musselshell County voter registration forms are showered on me since it is clear my registration efforts will continue each Friday morning for two hours at IGA between now and early October.

This effort is much more preferable to delivering flyers to residents.  I am there on a regular basis to help the voting process.  I get to greet those I know and maybe meet those I don't know.  An extra folded chair (that I control -- maybe) is available for those who are interested to sit, ask questions, discuss issues.  And, who knows, the number of votes I receive in the General Election could increase from my Primary Election total of 145 (the Republican winner receives 749 and the Republican loser 441).  There's a long way to go.  Is it do-able?  Of course!