Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, September 25
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Politics»The Election and the Precinct Captain
    Politics

    The Election and the Precinct Captain

    Frank MalleyBy Frank MalleyNovember 5, 2020Updated:November 5, 20203 Mins Read

    (Note: EPLN is a non-partisan, non-profit, and volunteer news organization. As part of EPLN’s coverage of these historic 2020 elections we’re collecting stories and moments from across the political spectrum that are, in some cases, little known or understood aspects of the political process. Below is one such story. If you would like to submit a story idea, please send it to editor@eplocalnews.org.)

    The formal title is precinct chair.  A precinct is essentially a neighborhood.  A precinct chair is the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) person for the neighborhood.

    So how did I spend Election Day November 3, 2020?  As a culmination of my activities over the past several months, I pulled out my precinct “walk lists” and spent a couple of hours phoning one after the other people on the lists who seemed likely to vote for my candidates. 

    The walk lists are lists by street of all registered voters in my party’s enormous databank.  The service I performed was to remind voters that our polling place had changed.  I then asked that the voters please consider voting for my candidates.

    Decades ago I found that what voters want most is information. 

    For wonks like me a ballot reads like an album of well-known acquaintances.  For the average voter a ballot can just be a pile of names with no details, no context.  For elections I now prepare a precinct letter that shows each candidate’s name, the office the candidate is pursuing, a few biographical details, and candidate achievements and beliefs. 

    In 2020 I prepared a unique precinct letter for the presidential primary, the state primary, and the general election.  For each election I mailed a precinct letter to 800-900 homes with registered voters.

    Normally I would do door knocking on the streets of my precinct and hand my precinct letter (and candidate literature) to the home owner, but with COVID-19 alarms I chose to mail my precinct letter.  Door knocking is definitely a better practice, and in 2020 some precinct chairs have done “lit drops”—not handing home owners the literature, but instead leaving the literature on doorsteps.    

    Precinct chairs decide how much they will be involved.  Early in 2020 fellow residents in my condo community asked that I lead a discussion of the candidates.  I also created a commentary newsletter which had fresh political commentary by local party notables for each of the three elections. 

    I conducted a training seminar for brand new precinct chairs.  Traditionally precinct chairs have helped arrange fundraising get-togethers for each candidate, but COVID-19 has curtailed all of that.

    When you knock on doors, for the most part people are not home.  One time my knock was answered by an angry older man who told me I should not be bothering people, and then as I walked down the path from his home, he popped open the door and apologized for being so grouchy.

    When you phone voters, you generally have to be content with leaving a voicemail.  I did get one person who responded by saying, “You’re ridiculous!”  A few calls later a voter praised me for working to get out the vote.

    The truth is that I am indeed intruding, but hopefully performing a service.

    (Frank Malley is the Precinct Chair of Minnetonka Ward 4 Precinct F. Malley has been a precinct chair or precinct committeeman in the Democratic-Farmer Labor (DFL) party since 1984 and has been involved in presidential campaigns since the early 1960s.) 

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleCwodzinski holds State Senator District 48
    Next Article Holloway to stay home, verbally accepts U of M scholarship

    More to READ

    1 Min Read

    Cwodzinski receives honor from League of Minnesota Cities

    September 14, 2023
    8 Mins Read

    Light rail from EP to Target Field — a $3 billion project?

    July 8, 2023
    12 Mins Read

    Why Budget Day (days, really) was so much fun for Gov. Tim Walz and how surplus spending will make Minnesota history

    January 25, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Sweet music for the Eagles after homecoming win over Shakopee

    September 23, 2023

    Four men arrested after EP burglary leads to chase

    September 23, 2023

    Two EPHS students honored in Discovery Award competition

    September 22, 2023

    Review: Riveting exploration of justice, jails, and the enigmatic Iris Murphy

    September 22, 2023

    LRT funding agreement reached amid concerns

    September 21, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.