John,
This election will be won or lost based on turnout. We're fooling ourselves if we think Trump supporters aren't excited to get out and vote. They are.
I live in Orange County California. We flipped this county in 2018, thanks to great progressives like Katie Porter running on critical issues like Medicare for All. But let's be clear, Trump wasn't actually on the ballot in 2018.
This year, you see pick up trucks with American flags and Trump banners... daily. There are street side honk and waves in high traffic locations. There's even two different places street vendors have set up outdoor booths to sell campaign gear. The other side isn't sitting back and coasting. They're working to win and... they're excited about it.
I'll be honest. It scares the crap out of me.
Don't read another poll before the election. Don't start to believe this is in the bag. Treat everyday between now and Election Day like we're behind and need every single vote to win... because we do.
Every. Single. Vote.
Getting people out to vote isn't magic. It's not something that just happens. It's up to us to make it happen.
Fortunately, progressives believe in science and facts and scientific studies show people are more likely to vote:
- When people pledge to vote
- When asked to vote by a peer
- When friends make a plan to vote together
Voting this year is too important to leave any thing to chance. Do your part to drive the biggest turnout in American history. Pledge to vote and commit to get at least 3 friends to join you.
Scientific data, as reported by research teams at Dartmouth College from studies conducted during the 2016 election, found that young people who pledge to vote on average are 5% more likely to turn out than those who are contacted using standard get-out-the-vote materials.
They found first-time voters in Pennsylvania who signed the pledge turned out at a rate that was 8.8 percentage points higher than first-time voters who received the standard mobilization method.
Another study, this one from the University of Texas in Austin done in 2014, showed the power of social pressure from a peer, friend, or relative in getting people out to vote.
That study found simply nudging friends with reminders of their civic duty however is ineffective. Instead, the key is direct social pressure with a simple, emotionally resonant message which on average increased turnout by a whooping 16% to 24%.
That's why we're launching our Me + 3 = Victory pledge campaign today. Because when we pledge to vote and commit to helping others vote, we add one more way for each of us to do our part in driving the biggest turnout in history to defeat the most dangerous President in history.
I've pledged to vote and I committed to helping at least three friends make sure they vote too. Will you join me and take the pledge today?
Look, I know Joe Biden was not the first choice of very many DFA members during the primary. He definitely wasn't mine. But the primary is over. The future of democracy is at stake. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren get it: It's Biden or bust for... America.
We're all in to win. Let do this.
— Charles
Charles Chamberlain, Chair
Democracy for America
