One of the inappropriate, politically-motivated things that King County Elections spent tax dollars on last year was an aggressive marketing campaign to try to convince more poll voters to vote by mail, e.g.:
Flyers featuring VIPs who are converting to VBM which we can hand out at special events, booths, public meetings, etc.Read to the end for the punchline.
King County Elections engaged its perennial "bi-partisan" duo of political consultants, Cathy Allen and Randy Pepple, to run the vote-by-mail "Try It You'll Like It" program, proposed to include:
* An intern/ambassador program to sign people up on primary election day, and then after the primary have interns go to events or where poll voters go and sign them up;I've requested, but haven't received, the documentation of the final project scope and budget.
* Flyers featuring VIPs who are converting to VBM which we can hand out at special events, booths, public meetings, etc.
* A direct mail piece to about 75,000 likely poll voters whom we can mail with a form to return to King County turning them into VBM voters
* Two radio spots to be played for three weeks in prime markets of our targeted voters (women, young people, newcomers), probably 10 radio stations
* Banner ads in the Times, P-I, and the Stranger
* Plenty of money for anything extra you might envision for Lori Wardians design
* A media relations boost that would include setting up, orchestrating and helping get the word out for The Ambassador sign-up program, a University program, and other opportunities to get the word out.
I saw and heard some of the ads last September, but don't know if they ever actually implemented the VIP testimonial part of the proposal. But I do know from other e-mails that not every VIP who tried to vote by mail was happy with the experience. One VIP who tried to vote by mail was Carol Topacio of Seattle. Not everybody has heard of Ms. Topacio, but most have heard of her more famous husband. Ms. Topacio requested a mail ballot online, but didn't receive it, so her husband had to complain to the elections office.
I'll have more in later posts on the Ambassador Program and on VIPs who tried to vote by mail.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at May 10, 2007 12:54 PM | Email ThisAfter all, it's only "our" money the Demorats are using to promote their consolidation of power.
Posted by: MJC on May 10, 2007 12:59 PMHow were these populations selected?
Young people vote at a lower rate so I can see including them, new commers can be introduced to a new system, but women alreaday vote at a higher level.
These groups would all favor Democrats (yes, even newcomers to King County). I see a plan designed to provide a poltical advantage to the Democrats.
Posted by: Moderate on May 10, 2007 01:05 PMTo go a step further, that is why the Dems favor open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens. That is why anyone who doesn't like this future scenario, not to mention see this country deteriorate into a second world country had better get off their butt and write, call or email their US Representative or Senator - NOW !
Posted by: KS on May 10, 2007 06:59 PM