It's Official! (kind of)

Some of you may have been looking forward to further installments on "Thinking it Through".  They are coming, just not today.  This day's thoughts revolve around the election (yes I know, again).

The deadline for getting your name on the ballot was yesterday.  If you did not return your papers, your name won't appear. 

People still have the option to remove their name (withdraw their nomination papers).  The have until February 29, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.  It happens occasionally, so while the ballot is not necessarily set in stone, what is hard and fast at this point are the names that can appear on the ballot.

As I believe I mentioned previously, someone always has the option of mounting a write-in campaign.  See your Town Clerk for the details.

I need to double check a few things, but it appears not everyone who took out papers turned them in.  Still going to have some crowded races though.  At some point I will get to to the exact who and for what.  One or two people actually had trouble making up their mind in deciding what office to run for.  There were several last minute candidates (people pulling papers on the last day they could).  As some people have been asking about motivation for running, these two points certainly go to motivation.

So you’re running for office, what do you do now? 

Well one of the things you should be doing is getting your message out to the voters.  Not a lot of that from what I have been seeing, except the usual "vote for me" stuff.  Not a bad thing either, it is important for people to know who you are.

Signs have been popping up around town.  Seems that happens earlier each year.  Unofficial date use to be President's Day for yard signs.  There all ready has been some visibility (street corner sign holding). 

People have been and will be knocking on doors.  As a potential voter you should expect a flurry of fliers, postcards, robo-calls and a host of other things.  

This will get a candidate some name recognition.  Hopefully, you will also be able to get some idea where a candidate stands on the issues.  

One thing I wish people would stop doing.  Lose the "I am not a politician" line.  You are running for office, presumably with the intent of getting elected.  If you aren't a politician, just what are you doing?

You may not be seasoned, and you may be coming into the process with your morals and integrity intact, but the simple act of seeking office makes you a politician.  By all means highlight the fact you are a new face, with fresh ideas.  That is never a bad thing in my opinion.

Some important things for the candidates this year to remember, I think anyway: First the name recognition.  There are going to be some crowded fields in a couple of races.  People need to know you exist.  As well known as you think you may be, you are not.  

Think outside your circles, outside your group of supporters.  Think that there are just fewer than 11,000 registered voters in our town.  Think that if every candidate has 300 guaranteed supporters who will in fact vote, you are well short of what you are going to need to get elected.

It doesn't matter what you have done in the past, people have historically short memories.  It doesn't matter what you are presently involved in, because not everyone is involved in the same things; and, not everyone has the same concerns.  

The ballot does not contain your biography, and it doesn't have your picture next to your name.

What matters is that people do in fact remember who you are when they go to the polls.  If they don't know you exist, it is hard for them to vote for you.  In a crowded filed, you would be surprised at how many people end up voting for the name they recognize.

The second thing you need to remember, you are going to need to separate yourself from the crowd.  Just remember when you try to stand out, you are at some point going to have to defend what you say.

No doubt one or two people are going to try and stay "above the fray".  It won't be hard to potentially do in a field of 3 or four candidates.  As a voter, none of you should let anyone skate by.  Make them tell you why you should give them your vote.

There are more than enough issues this election season so that no candidate should be able to simply sound good and get elected.

Make them work for the office they seek.

Make them prove that they deserve to be in office.