DNC, Maine Dems Partner To Text 117,000 Mainers To Encourage Voting By Mail
June 4, 2020
This week, the Democratic National Committee and Maine Democratic Party partnered to launch a massive texting campaign encouraging Mainers to request, complete, and submit absentee ballots ahead of the state’s July 14 primary.
“Nobody should have to choose between their health and their right to vote, and we are using innovative tactics to continue reaching the voters we need to win,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez. “We aren’t leaving anything to chance. In Maine and across the country, Democrats are reaching voters where they are, adapting to continue our organizing work in these times, and laying the groundwork to defeat Trump and secure victories at every level of the ballot in November.”
“Maine Democrats aren’t slowing down,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “We’re rising to face unprecedented organizing challenges, but our mission remains the same. With the support of the DNC, we are moving full-speed ahead to defeat Donald Trump, send Susan Collins into retirement, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Nearly 100 volunteers texted 117,000 Maine voters to help them cast absentee ballots for the upcoming election. This continues a months-long effort by Democrats to ensure voters across the country are able to safely cast their ballots amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
This campaign comes as the Maine Democratic Party has shifted its organizing efforts online. The state party has expanded remote phone banking, launched a digital “commit to vote” campaign, and hosted digital trainings for volunteers.
Earlier this year, the DNC purchased tens of millions of cell phone numbers across the country, including in Maine, to improve voter contact and strengthen Democratic campaigns’ data infrastructure. During the coronavirus pandemic, these investments have allowed campaigns to seamlessly transition to digital-only organizing.