The neighborhood where we are now door-knocking is centered around a school.  It’s been fun to see all of the children outside- riding bicycles, playing catch, skate boarding.

And I can tell that Cedar Rapids is producing a young crop of artists by the many chalk drawings on sidewalks and porch stoops!  (We ignored one blue & yellow warning sign on the stairs that read, “Go Away!”) We had a particularly special treat last night, as a young mom came to the door with her 3-week old baby boy.  I may just start a new business, Rent-A-Grandparent, as both Art and I enjoy these interactions with tiny voters-to-be.

Almost everyone was home last night (super contact rate!) as Art spoke to a plethora of parents about educational issues.  This was the first day back to school, and the kids we met were excited and in good spirits.  A promising start to their school year, and a promising night of door-knocking! 

Switching gears now… as mom and I are working on campaign notes and I’m looking at voting records of the folks we spoke with yesterday evening, it’s a bit discouraging.  There was a letter–to-the-editor in this morning’s Gazette about the dismal turnout on Election Day.  Here’s a thought:  instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars looking for that one case of voter fraud, shouldn’t the state be looking for ways to make it easier for folks to go to the polls?  Parents in their 20s and 30s have their hands full with children, jobs and social lives.  They also have much at stake in the result of votes cast today.  Somehow, we need to educate them on the importance of their one vote.