Austin, Texas' all-volunteer group "Austin Vote for Change" is shattering voter registration records left and right. Over Labor Day Weekend the Austin Vote for Change volunteers scattered across the city and registered 1107 voters in only two days.The Austin group, first organized back in May, holds four weekly voter registration events. They send volunteers to concerts, high traffic commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, campuses, farmers' markets, playgrounds, swimming pools… and just about anywhere else they think they might find a voter. "It's an amazing experience," says group organizer Katherine, 27, a graduate student at the University of Texas.
It's great to see how the volunteers really enjoy registering voters. They understand the first step to victory in November is registering people to vote for Barack Obama. The volunteers are all true believers in the democratic process; they love helping people vote.
While a core group of six or seven volunteers lead shifts and organize events, Austin Vote For Change has over 300 volunteers who show up when they can.Katherine says, "In add to registering so many new voters, the most rewarding experience for my volunteers is the support and admiration they receive from others on the street. Passersby are always thanking the volunteers for their commitment to helping voters and helping Barack Obama.""It's exciting to see how many different people are excited about voting for Barack," Katherine says.
We've registered high school seniors, senior citizens, homeless folks, small business owners… people from all walks of life. It's inspiring to feel we're all in this together.
So far, Austin Vote for Change volunteers has registered 3,147 voters in the Austin area. In fact, Katherine even registered one voter while she was on the phone with us. "3,148!" she cheered. Katherine first started watching Obama when she was living in his Illinois state senate district. "I saw my first Obama sign in a window of a hair salon," she says. "I started looking into it, and when I heard about his record advocating for working people and women I knew I wanted him to work for me. Now it's amazing to see that this person who inspired me when he was just a state senator is now engaging and inspiring an entire nation."
Austin Vote for Change plans to work tirelessly through the election. "Every voter counts," Katherine says. "It's exciting to be working for a campaign that has a real shot of turning Texas blue."
The Obama campaign is committed to getting as many people as possible registered to vote. It's a big part of our plan to win in November, and you can help. Visit the Vote for Change site to learn how you can help. You can learn how to register voters and find a voter registration even in your own community. Be a part of our grassroots movement to bring change to Washington.
Read Katherine’s full diary post of her voter registration efforts.
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