Many readers might already be thinking, “But I don’t vote in Ward 2 or even live in Nashua,” a predictable thought. Many “low information voters” cast their ballots in a mental and/or political trance; some might have ties to you, the reader. Six degrees of separation is something many of us have heard before. I’m aware that Granite Grok’s engagement with the population of Ward 2 voters is insignificant. Still, the optimist might consider that there might be much less than six degrees of separation between the content and the target audience. It’s something that’s been on my mind as city elections are coming soon and fast.
“Get out the vote” is something that the enemy camp does like well-oiled machinery. On top of that, the NTU has all their useful idiots on speed dial, and city hall, all the way up to the attorney general’s office, are uninterested in doing anything about the electioneering that Doris called attention to(in addition to required reports not being filed in 12 years) in 2019. That’s why our side needs to up its game. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that our cities could use all the outside help they can get, and what you, the reader, can do. This article is Ward 2-specific.
Most of us know plenty of like-minded people we love and respect, but some need some prodding, and some sadly need to be spoon-fed. I mean that respectfully, and I have some suggestions that won’t cost any money or more than 59 seconds of time, assuming that a decent internet connection(or data) is available. If you know someone living in Nashua and know their address, open this map to see if they’re in Ward 2. If they’re in another part of the city, you can still remind them there’s an election coming up on November 4 and Tyler Gouveia needs their votes. No matter where in the city they are, you can push the envelope in being a pest. How far depends on your relationship with them. Reach out on Monday, 11/3, and remind them how important it is to vote and how elections have consequences, especially in the city. If you don’t make contact or your efforts go unacknowledged, follow up on Tuesday afternoon. The polls close at 8 pm.
If you know people in Nashua, but don’t know where they live, ask where they vote. It has been my observation that most low-information voters, the swing vote population, don’t know what ward they’re in, but they know the school they vote at. They might not know the name of the school or the address, but what landmarks it’s near. If/when you ask where they vote and the word CHARLOTTE is part of the answer, you’ve captured a Ward 2 voter. See to it that they vote and vote for Mr Gouthro, even if they need a ride, a sitter, or a last-minute reminder. If they vote elsewhere in the city, remind them to vote and vote for Tyler Gouveia, at large, and nobody else, even though there are three seats in that race.
If your Nashua people don’t know where to vote for whatever reason(new move-in, just turned 18, never voted before, etc.), ask what street they live on. If that sounds too creepy, just be vague and ask what they’re near. If you’re told Exit 7 or 8, Tinker Road, St Christopher’s, Trafalgar Square, the “jug handle,” the 99, Milano Pizza, or behind The Big One, for example, run with it and direct them to the polls at 48 Charlotte Av. It might be necessary to ask more than one question, but it shouldn’t be a time-consuming ordeal to be like a dog with a bone, albeit a polite one.
Nashua can’t eliminate the mayor this year, but getting rid of Alderman Dowd would be arguably the next best thing. To put such an incredible fortune into perspective that the rest of the state can understand, Mr Gouthro taking down Alderman Dowd is akin to Victoria Sullivan ousting Donna Soucy. It can and should be done. Be part of the team that makes it happen.
