RPOF Launches Statewide Voter Registration Initiative

Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today launched the RPOF’s Statewide Voter Registration Initiative, laying the groundwork for the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts of the 2010 General Election.

“We must not allow the success Democrats have seen in voter registration in recent months to lead to success at the ballot box,” said Chairman Greer. “With a U.S Senate Seat and four open Cabinet races in 2010, we must maintain our focus on the general election next November and work to build our infrastructure of registered voters and grassroots volunteers who will implement our nationally recognized GOTV Program.”

Voter registration is the basis of the RPOF’s nationally recognized GOTV Program. Throughout the last few days of the election cycle, the RPOF enlists a statewide network of volunteers who conduct a wide range of GOTV activities. This year, the RPOF began the process early. Rather than hiring a GOTV Director to implement a plan from Tallahassee, Chairman Greer has distributed a Voter Registration Survey to the Republican Executive Committee Chairman, State Committeeman, and State Committeewoman in each county to gather specific information regarding the voter registration needs of individual counties. Later this summer, the RPOF will deploy Voter Registration Strike Teams to each county to provide training for grassroots leaders and volunteers, based on those specific goals. Following the RPOF Voter Registration Strike Team, county leaders will be responsible for imple menting unique voter registration and volunteer recruitment goals. The initiative begins this weekend with a Voter Registration Strike Team attending the Okaloosa County Billy Bowlegs Festival.

“A successful GOTV Program takes months to plan, build and manage,” said Chairman Greer. “This year, we are working from the ground up, starting with the county leadership. Local leaders will provide insight and information, suggest a timeframe and training schedule, work with an RPOF Voter Registration Strike Team and finally carry out an aggressive calendar of voter registration activities focused on local needs.”

Florida led the nation in the number of volunteer voter contacts six of the last seven weeks of the 2008 Election Cycle. Through extensive volunteer efforts, the RPOF contacted more than four million voters in 2008, more than ever before. During the 2008 GOVT Program, volunteers made over one million phone calls and knocked on more than 100,000 doors. The RPOF also created a new Absentee Ballot Request Walk Program and implemented Absentee Chase efforts, which were nationalized by the Republican National Committee. Additionally, the RPOF installed upgraded phone systems with advanced data capture methods to better target voters and launched a text message pilot program to contact volunteers and voters.

“Democrats have long held a voter registration advantage in the State of Florida, yet because of our successful GOTV Program Republicans hold the Governor’s Mansion and three of four Cabinet positions, as well as majorities in the State House, State Senate and Congressional Delegation,” continued Chairman Greer. “Last year the GOP had a tough time in other states, but as Republicans in the State of Florida, we have much to be proud of. While we were all disappointed to see Florida turn blue at the Presidential level, the Democrats were not able to ride President Obama’s coattails into the down ticket races. In a year with record voter turnout and with the best ground game the Democrats have ever had, not a single Republican incumbent in the Florida House or Senate was defeated. I am proud of that record and confident that despite the changes we have seen in registration, our Voter Registration Initiative will form the basis for a successful GOTV Program in 2010 and beyond.”