How do I get them to want to register to vote?

[Ilsa]

I know of several people in my family who follow politics and despise Shrub. Yet one feels helpless about voting ("What difference does mine make?") and another hasn't gotten off her can to go register. The excuse that she used for many years was that she didn't want to be registered because in Texas, you can be called for jury duty. That is no long an issue as anyone with a driver license can be called. Her latest comment was "I don't know that I like any of these Democrats enough to go vote for them..."

This person is easy to talk to in that she usually enjoys talking about issues, but I need to be respectful, not confrontational as she is my elder.

I'm thinking about saying things like, "Support the troops: register to vote". Let your voice on Medicare be heard: register to vote", etc. I'm also thinking about calling the League of Women Voters to see if they need volunteers to at registration booths, and hoping she'll feel led by example.

Any advice?

[xultar]

1. Does she have a PC? If she doesn't invite her over for tea/coffee

Access the web on your PC and show her how to sign up.

Rolling Stone has a link to register to vote. Tell her to do it for you and both your futures.

[Ilsa]

3. Good points...

"Tell her to do it for you and both your futures."

I think you have something here. One of my children has a disability. I think if I focus on a pre-eminent problem that is immediate to our family, especially to any children, she might feel more motivated to be involved.

I think this will take time, will subtle hammering...

She doesn't have internet access anymore.

[onebigbadwulf]

2. tell them texas will be a close state

and if they vote it will inspire others to vote enough so that it will make a difference

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Find a local or state issue that she really cares about

and point out that on the local level, her vote really does count.

It's true even when it comes to electing Congresscritters. My former Congressman, David Wu, running for an open seat in Oregon, was elected by 300 votes, sparing us from a Republican Barbie Doll whose only previous job had been aide to Newt Gingrich.

Then while she's expressing her opinion on that local issue, she can mark the rest of the ballot, including the one for the Democratic canddiate for president.

[Webster Green]

5. Ask if she intends to collect Social Security.....

Explain how the BFEE is busy funneling our Social Security funds into their own bank accounts.