If you have a precinct committeeperson (PC) in your neighborhood get to know them. A precinct committeeperson literally delivers democracy to your door and is your biggest political ally. We educate and empower voters!
Focus on nominating petitions and why you need to participate
PC duties include:
- Pass nominating petitions for candidates
- Distributing candidate information
- Voter education
- Driving voter turnout within our precinct
- Endorsing/Recommending candidates
- Voter registration
- Fundraising assistance
- Recruiting election judges
- Recruit volunteers
- Pollwatching
You cannot for vote for candidates if they are not on your ballot.
Read that again. Have you ever wondered how candidates get onto your ballot? Your signature! One of my primary responsibilities is to circulate petitions. I literally bring democracy to your door when I knock for your signature. This is a team effort. It is THE most important way to participate in the electoral process besides voting.
Candidates can only gain ballot access if they meet the petition signature requirements set by the state of Illinois. Candidates running for US Congress, State, County and local offices may be required to collect dozens, hundreds, or thousands of petition signatures. This can be a serious challenge for candidates who are working against the clock, sometimes with little help, to meet a filing deadline. This is where you and I help!
I only circulate petitions for Democrats. I meet candidates in advance to gain an understanding of their platform and who they are, and if they are vetted by our local party. I am an advocate for the voters in my precinct. I protect your vote. Having a group of voters that understand the process, recognize me when I knock their door, and understand why I make brief visits during the election cycle allows for an increase in community participation.
Once a qualified voter (ex: you) signs a petition for a Democratic candidate (ex: county board) to appear on the primary ballot, they cannot sign a petition for a candidate of any other party for any other race (ex: senate, governor etc…) in the primary.
Imagine this: Someone comes to your door. They present you with petition. You sign it and it is your first petition of the primary season. They do not tell you what I just did. You later learn the person was a Republican candidate! Now you cannot sign petitions for any Democrats! Things just got more difficult.
If you get to know your PC you do not have to worry about this