Election Notes

Provided by the Elections Office
For more information Call 576-0124
or visit us at 111 N. Glass, Victoria, Texas

Participating in the Process

In the last election your candidate didn’t win. You ask yourself why and wonder what could have been done differently to insure victory. You don’t know where to start but you do want to help in some way. You have the political itch. The only cure is to get involved.

Candidates at all levels cannot win an election on their own. They must have help. The help comes in the form of voters who support them. How do the voters find out about the candidates? The answer is the candidate has a team of working supporters.

A campaign begins with talk around a kitchen table. An individual, much like you, feels they have something to offer. They discuss their ideas with friends who encourage the individual to run for office. These friends gather to form a campaign committee. The campaign committee has much to do and the first step is to get workers. You are correct; this is where you come in.

There are many duties which must be handled in even the most basic campaign. The candidate must be marketed. His or her name must be placed on the tongue of every voter. Every voter needs to learn why Candidate A is better than Candidate B. This is accomplished not by expensive television ads but by spreading the word through supporters.

You work on the campaign addressing mailings and placing stamps on envelopes. You might make telephone calls to prospective voters, asking them to consider your candidate and explaining why you believe they would make the best representative. You contact many of your own neighbors and friends seeking their vote for your candidate. Convincing one of your friends is far easier than changing the mind of a stranger. It also means more to an undecided voter if someone they know and trust recommends a candidate.

You may even give money to a campaign. Let’s face it, campaigns today are very expensive and candidates must use every means they can afford to place their name before the voting public. You may even be asked to solicit funds for your candidate.

You can also become involved with a political party and help many candidates. If a party’s platform or published objectives are compatible with your own viewpoint you may select to contact the local party officials or state-wide party officials to offer your support.

The last but most important thing you can do for your candidate is vote.