Halloween Update

Happy Halloween!

Things have become more energetic in the office - now that the Election is 4 days away the volunteers are coming out in full force. 5pm today is the early vote deadline here in Colorado; once the deadline passes, everyone who plans to vote has to wait until Tuesday. Like everywhere, people here are nervous about long lines at the poll places and voters becoming discouraged by long waits. The ballot here has taken 20-30 minutes to complete on average (which is about what our California ballot took us to do), which is one thing when you're reclined on your sofa and have no one breathing down your neck, but another altogether when you know you've got a hundred people behind you waiting to vote. One of our tasks on the 4th is to provide water, hot cocoa, cookies, coffee, etc. to ALL voters waiting in lines - our way of keeping people comfortable and motivated to vote.

The big excitement yesterday was a gathering at the office to thank volunteers with a special appearance by District 3 Congressman John Salazar. This is the second time since we arrived that we've met and heard the Congressman speak - he's energetic and funny. It reminds us of how local politics really are - visits to La Plata County, Cortez, the Ute Reservation... this is what it takes to win.

Barack Obama is going to be in Pueblo tomorrow; we are toying with the idea of going, but it's at least a 5 hour mountain drive from Durango. It would make for a very long day and we don't really know what we'd do with Topher. Given how much there is to do around here, too, it looks highly unlikely that we'll make it. Oh well - just more incentive to go to an event once he's President.

The field office has done an incredible job recruiting volunteers this week - we have all our shifts filled for a massive GOTV (Get Out The Vote) phone and canvass effort Saturday and Sunday; still looking for shifts to fill for Monday but hoping the folks who come this weekend can lend a hand on Monday as well.

Making sure "our" universe of voters casts their ballots on Nov. 4 is going to be a major feat of organization, communication, and patience. But there's a lot of energy and anticipation building and people are feeling confident without being complacent. There's a little bit of, "Is it Tuesday yet?" and "Can't we just get to Wednesday already?" both locally and in the national press and I can understand why. We are ready!!