What Now? Low key Campaign Update

I thought I should write a brief update since I have moment and haven't written anything in a couple of months.

I haven't done much to prepare for the election so far. I had a slight tussle with the Virginia Board of Elections [SBE] in order to get the list of registered voters. The SBE was unable to sort voter information by street address, which is basic and necessary for a candidate seeking to go door to door. A print out of the list would have cost $288 and been nearly useless.

I opted to buy the CD with the voter information on it for $111. I had to purchase software for my computer in order to work with the data. I've started processing the data -- I'm breaking the data down by precinct currently. Precincts so far have varied in size from 900 to 2500 voters. There were 43,506 voters registered in the 71st House District as of July 16, 2009.

I have received a number of questionnaires and surveys from special interest groups of all sorts. When I ran for Virginia Senate in 2007 I worked diligently to fill out the surveys and questionnaires. This time around I have decided not to respond.

I am not seeking any group's endorsement and I am putting my efforts into a strong door to door campaign.

I read again recently that incumbents have a 90% success rate for re-election. So unless the incumbent has done something bad, he or she stands a pretty good chance of being reelected.

I'm taking a break from blogging about the Richmond City Council [Richmond Telegraph] during the month of August because the Council is taking summer break. This will allow more time for me to focus on the campaign rather than staying busy uploading Council videos. That's a welcomed relief.

It's Official : Candidate Forms Filed

Today, I turned in the forms that are required for individuals seeking office and the signatures of 100 individuals with the Richmond Registrar's Office. When City Registrar J. Kirk Showalter looked over my paperwork she told me I needed to turn in some of my paperwork to the Virginia Board of Elections [1100 Bank Street] and my "Statement of Economic Interests" to the Clerk of the House of Delegates [located within the Capitol Building, 3rd Floor, NE corner office].

It was a little inconvenient. However living in Richmond, I have the luxury of all three locations to turn in paper work being within a quarter mile of each other.

Signature Gathering in Fulton

On Saturday and Sunday I spent several hours going door to door collecting signatures. To get your name on the ballot for Virginia House of Delegates, you must submit 125 signatures of registered voters from the district. On Saturday, I canvased south of Williamsburg Road and today I canvased north of Williamsburg Road. In all, I collected 106 signatures over the two day period, between 2:30 - 7 PM on Saturday I collected 58 signatures. On Sunday between 4 - 7:15 PM, I collected 48. Over 7 1/2 hours, I collected on average 14 signatures per hour. Just a yard stick to get an idea of how long it might take you, in case you are interested.

My technique is brief. Here is my introductory speech:

"Hello, my name is Silver Persinger. I live in Oregon Hill. I am running for the House of Delegates this November. If you are a registered voter, I could use your help. I'm collecting signatures to get my name on the ballot. Would you care to sign my petition? It doesn't mean you have vote for me, it just gives me a chance to run for office."

Many times people agree to sign my petition with this introduction alone. Other times, people are reluctant or want to know what I stand for to which I respond:

"I believe corporations and businessmen have too much influence in our government; and I think government should do more for poor and working people like providing access to health care, education, and jobs." Say what you will, the majority of people agree with this statement and willingly sign my petition.

A few individuals refused to sign my petition. One house had Bible scriptures written on the sidewalk leading to the porch, the woman who answered the door said, "I don't know anything about you." Then she asked me if I was "Pro-abortion or Anti-Abortion." I responded that I wasn't "pro-abortion" but I am pro-choice and support a woman's right to legal abortion. She didn't want to sign for that.

Another woman asked me if I was a Republican or a Democrat. I responded that I was an independent. Not satisfied with that response she asked me if I was a Libertarian, then she asked me who I voted for in the Presidential election. When I responded Obama, she didn't want to sign my petition.

Over all, it was a very positive experience. I actually like campaigning door to door very much.

The First Order of Business

I began my campaign today. This morning I walked into the Wachovia at 1st and East Grace Streets to open a checking account for my campaign. Easier said than done. I was told I needed a tax ID number from the IRS before I could open a business checking account. I headed over to the IRS located at 400 N. Eighth Street in downtown Richmond. The receptionist handed me a booklet and two copies of the form. I walked over to the garden behind John Marshall's house and filled out my form on a beautiful spring morning. After completing the form I called an 800 number to speak with an IRS and she assigned me a tax ID number. By the way, political candidates are considered non-profit organizations by the IRS.

From John Marshall's garden, I rode my bicycle back to Wachovia where I was allowed to open a free business checking account and I deposited my first personal contribution of $100 towards my campaign.

First step, check.