Voter ID Project yields powerful results
Choice is unique as an issue not only in that it is especially nuanced and personal, but in that the pro-choice voter has historically crossed party lines to preserve reproductive rights. With an understanding of this distinctive characteristic, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon has established an initiative to create, maintain, and expand a database of pro-choice voters, focusing especially on those who are Republican or non-affiliated. This has allowed us to expand our influence and impact in the wider progressive communityas a uniting force.
Our database of over 200,000 pro-choice voters (over 10% of the electorate) allows us to mobilize pro-choice Oregonians with incredible efficiency by opening ourselves to demographics passed over by other progressive organizations. Political successes in Oregon speak to the simple power of utilizing voter information in the effort to defeat anti-choice legislation. Since the Voter ID Project began in 2005, results have grown in
both visibility and significance.
A few highlights include …
2006 NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon experiences 87% turnout of our pro-choice voters in the 2006 general election
Anti-choice ballot initiative Measure 43 is defeated
2008 NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon experiences 91% turnout of our pro-choice voters in the 2008 general election
A pro-choice super majority is gained in the Oregon House
2009 Over 7,000 voters are contacted through the Voter ID Project regarding the Stupak amendment to healthcare reform, which proposed restricting federal funding from covering health plans that include abortion
In 2010 NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon makes over 37,000 voter contacts and works aggressively with the help of 645 volunteers to turnout 150,000 pro-choice voters to ensure John Kitzhaber’s election as Governor
As we prepare for the 2012 elections, phone bank sessions will be held twice a month and shifts are filled almost exclusively by volunteers, all helping to gather voter information that, when utilized by NARAL, turns the tide of state and national politics.
If you're interested in helping NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon with the Voter ID Project and protecting choice in Oregon, please email caitlin@prochoiceoregon.org or call 503-223-4510 x 13 and find out what you can do.
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