Tom Steyer setting up petting zoos at Arizona state to attract students, then get them to vote

[Demovictory9]

GLENDALE, Ariz. ― Tom Steyer, a former hedge fund manager who has become one of the Democratic Party’s biggest individual donors in recent years, has spent $33 million this election cycle trying to increase young voter turnout. Most of the money has gone to hire 750 NextGen America organizers, spread across 11 states and 419 college campuses. Another huge chunk ― more than $10 million ― has gone to digital advertising targeted at people aged 18 to 35.

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But one day last month, on the Arizona State University campus in Glendale, a small portion of Steyer’s fortune went to pay for the rental of an alpaca named Spot, a piglet named Jack Skellington, six goats, a sheep and a group of baby chicks so small they had to remain in a bucket.

Students crowded around the animals, taking selfies. Their stop at the makeshift petting zoo gave NextGen organizers and volunteers time to approach them, hand them a voter guide and help them make a plan to vote. By the end of the Votes and Goats event, more than 75 students had filled out a mail-in ballot.

“Animals are a really cool attraction,” said Ephraim Infante, a recent Arizona State graduate and NextGen organizer. “Being able to put a voter guide in their hand goes a long way. In the past, young people haven’t really been talked to. This is our chance to talk to them.”

Arizona State isn’t the only place where NextGen is deploying petting zoos, and petting zoos aren’t their only tactic. They’re also passing out toilet paper to students who live off-campus, and bringing “puppies to the polls,” and basically any other Instagram-able stunt you can think of.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-steyer-young-voters-democrats_us_5bd796e8e4b0dee6eecd1327

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[badhair77]

1. I have now seen it all.

But if it works and means votes for our side then I’m all in.

[renate]

2. Creative and adorable

Plus the people who stop to pet animals are likely to be nice people.

[Squinch]

3. I love the guy, but that's wicked weird.

But if it works, I'd be happy to sponsor a prairie dog or.piglet.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. There was a time not so long ago

when votes were purchased with a half-pint of booze. Petting zoos are far more conducive to sound judgment at the polling booth.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

5. Now, I understand why he's a billionaire.

THIS is brilliant.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Whatever works...

[superpatriotman]

7. A "Free Beer" sign would work on nearly all campuses

Nt

[StevieM]

8. He is going to make a great president in 2021. (eom)

[lostnfound]

14. At first I wasn't interested in another billionaire pol but saw interview. Seems sincere, grounded

Seemed sincere, grounded, earnest, patriotic
Definitely want to see more of him.

[ecstatic]

9. Wow! nt

[David__77]

10. I love it!

Great idea.

[awesomerwb1]

11. That's great.

We need more creative input and $$$$ from more Dem billionaires.

I hop[e they're working on cutting edge technology behind the scenes as well (really hoping, not holding my breath though).

[Awsi Dooger]

12. Easily the sharpest guy on our side since I've been paying attention

Do you think Chuck Schumer would come up with stuff like that? He'd be too busy with his next tortured slogan.

I like Schumer for an elected official but people making the big picture decisions need to be Tom Steyer types and not Chuck Schumer types. We have seemingly not understood that for decades.

The youth registration push is awesome because not only can it shove some tight races over the top in 2018 but by far the biggest dividends come much further down the road when those people are voting dependably once they are older.

[JI7]

15. there is a difference between what one billionaire can do with his money. and an elected official

who would need to use donated funds shared by others.

[Duppers]

13. Wonderful!!!