My 2018 Midterm Experience.

[Grown2Hate]

So, my uncle and aunt moved out here to AZ from MA to live with me. My uncle has been wanting to move out here to be closer to me for some time, and his company finally happened to have a transfer opportunity to Phoenix!

They moved in with me around July (by the way, PERFECT time to move to the DESERT of Phoenix, haha). Their plan is to save a little more money (and wait for her house to be officially sold) so that they can take some time finding a house they love.

He has always been VERY "Independent" politically ("I listen to both sides, and I like whoever has the best argument; I don't buy into this Republican vs Democrat bullshit.&quot . That being said, he's very much a white man in his early 50's who is around almost nothing BUT Republicans in his line of work, so he's inundated with that side of it. He likes to needle them (and hell, he likes to needle me too)... always challenging what they think and WHY they think it. It's fun for him.

I've always engaged him politically, and I find that more than ANYTHING... he has a curious mind. He just wants to know how and why things are the way the are, where the arguments come from, etc. So, definitely fair minded, with an ever so SLIGHT lean to the "right".

That being said... he HATES Trump.

So, I've been slowly chipping away, making my appeals; choppin' down that tree. One of my proudest moments was him walking back into my house from getting their car re-tagged for AZ, and saying, "Ok... you won" (sort of faux-defeatedly). He hands me his voter ID card (which, in and of itself was a big step, because despite his feelings, I just learned that he's never ACTUALLY voted). And he registered as a Democrat. I gave him the biggest hug.

It took a little convincing for my aunt to get out and vote, too, but not because of her politics. First of all, she was SO amazed at the amount of political ads on TV (in MA, especially where they lived, it was VERY blue, so there weren't CONSTANT campaign ads like we have here). She was a little overwhelmed. As much as she HAAAAAATTES Trump, she kind of felt like, "Well, I'm new to the state, I don't know enough, I'm too nervous to vote".

So, I decided I'll make ONE last appeal. I would do everything but get on my hands and knees. And, well... I did that too. Which she found adorable and funny, made a crack about already being married, and then said of COURSE she'll vote, as long as I take her to the polls.

I've bored you enough, but one last note: there is a new girl at work that I engaged with a little bit politically (sort of chipping around the edges to make sure you're in safe territory; "Oh yeah, after the 2016 Election, my friends joked that I'm NEVER allowed to host ANYTHING again at my house", which was greeted with a slight chuckle, and a, "Why? What happened?"; opportunity!).

I was able to get from her that she IS registered (thankfully, because it was passed the deadline), but that she has never voted either. She's always WANTED to get informed and involved, is 31, and has just has never voted. She admitted that she is scared right now, not so much for her future, but for her son's.

I convinced her now is as good a time (in fact, THE PERFECT TIME) to get involved. She wants to vote straight Dem to put some checks in place for this monster of an administration. I sent her my personalized voting guide, her polling place (with directions), and a note to call me if she has ANY questions since I'll be off all day tomorrow and Wednesday.

All in all, just ENGAGING and striking up conversations with people can be fruitful. And I secured at least 3 Democratic votes that may have stayed home on Election Day without thinking twice (in a TIGHT race). And they're EXCITED to do it!

Long story short: DON'T stay QUIET! Speak your mind, be passionate (but respectful, unless they're Trumpers), and convince fence sitters to vote. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! GOTV!!!