Americans Elect Delegate Manual

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Americans Elect is a 501(c)(4) o rganization, and contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Americans Elect is not affi liated with and does not support or oppose any particular candidate or candidates committee.

Americans Elect

Delegate ManualSeptember 2011


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Our political system is broken and our country is in trouble! The two political parties are sopolarized that Washington is paralyzed. Our elected officials continue a vicious cycle of mindless

partisanship, inaction on crucial issues and unsustainable dysfunction covered endlessly in the 24-

hour news cycle.

Although the Founding Fathers feared it, our two-party system has generally served us well in the

past, when leaders found common ground and did what was best for their country. The two

parties have always argued, but weve often been the better for it. History shows that, on

important things, in the end they have come together.

Social Security:Even after President Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, elected in 1932,

a huge majority of Republicans in Congress voted for Social Security Act.

Medicare:A majority of Republicans in Congress backed President Lyndon Johnsons

Medicare program in 1965.

Welfare Reform:After the Republicans gained control of Congress in 1994, a

majority of Democrats in both houses, and President Clinton, too, helped get a Welfare

Reform package enacted.

Now is the time for leadership that puts principled progress above petty politics and restores

cooperation, civility, and compromise. Leadership for genuine and sustainable change can only

come from the people.In 2012, Americans Elect (AE) will empower the people to nominate a competitive third ticket for

President and Vice President through the first-ever Online Convention.

In the next presidential election, through AE Online Convention, ALL of US will have a greater

voice; not just the voters in the early state primaries and caucuses, like Iowa, New Hampshire, and

South Carolina; not the talking heads or the paid experts; not the political pundits Fox News or

MSNBC; not the loud voices on the far left and far right.

The nominees who emerge from the Convention will not be beholden to any political party or special interest, will

bridge the vital center of American politics, and will be able to jolt our political system into working again.

What Is Americans Elect?

Americans Elect (AE) is

Americans Elect is a second process, not a third party. It is a brand new way all voters can

participate in selecting a presidential ticket to be placed on the November 2012 ballot in all 50

states.


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It will hold a nominating convention to pick that ticket in the summer of 2012, and everyregistered voter in America regardless of party may sign up right now to be a voting Delegate (at

www.AmericansElect.org). Anyone constitutionally qualified to serve as President may run for the

Americans Elect nomination as long as they reach across the political space and pick a running

mate from another party. A ticket that is bigger than any party.

We expect millions of Delegates to participate. The ticket will have ballot access in all 50 states.

And we expect major candidates to run and others to be drafted by the delegates themselves.

We are going to be working hard to get ourselves introduced to the American public but we know

that we cannot do it alone. Our hope is that millions of Americans across the country will be able

to hear about Americans Elect from their most trusted sources: friends, families, and neighbors.

And that starts with you!

How Does This Second Process Work?

Every single registered voter in America can be a Delegate and vote in the AE Online Convention.No fine print. No exceptions. Open to everyone regardless of party affiliation or political views.

1. Become a Delegate. Go to AE website www.americanselect.org.

2. Participate in AEs online surveys. Delegates will define the issues most important to

them.

3. Discuss these issues online or at meet-ups with other delegates.

4. Participate in shaping the AE platform questions for all constitutionally qualified

candidates to answer.

5. Review candidates.6. Draft candidates.

7. Narrow the field of candidates.

8. Vote in the Online Convention.

A Rules Committee will determine how the Online Convention operates. Of course, experienced

legal experts will be on the committee, but Convention Delegates will be on the Rules Committee,

too. All AE Delegates will have a chance to weigh in with their own ideas and the best will

become a part of the rules.

Now that you have an overview of the initiative, the next several pages of the manual should give

you a little background on the project and more importantly help you get the word out in your

community!


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Table Of Contents

Americans Elect Ballot Access And Technology 4

Delegate Recruitment And Engagement 5

How Do I Sign Up Delegates? 5

How Do I Get Started? 6

Where Are Some Other Places To Talk To People? 6

How Will Americans Elect Help? 7

How Will The Website Help Me? 7

Conclusion 8

Frequently Asked Questions 9

15 Things Everyone Can Do To Help 11

Information Sign Up Sheet 12

Americans Elect Flyer 13


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Americans Elect Ballot Access AndTechnology

Ballot AccessIn the 1800s, political parties distributed pieces of paper with the names of their candidates for

various offices. Voters took those tickets and deposited them in the ballot box on Election Day to

vote.

Reforms in the mid-19th Century, however, ended this practice and the government itself began to

produce and regulate election ballots. It wasnt long before the parties realized that once theycontrolled the government, they could also control the ballot, and thus, the election.

Ever since, the parties have limited competition by making it difficult for other parties and

candidates to get on the ballot. After Ross Perots 1992 self-financed 50-state ballot access and

presidential bid, which garnered 19% of the vote, state legislatures passed additional ballot-access-

blocking reforms.

The process of obtaining ballot access is costly and complicated, and the rules governing it vary

from state to state. Some of those state laws are bizarre (Florida does not require a single petition

signature by anyone). Some are bizarre and difficult (California requires one million signatures).

And each has a different timetable.

But, Americans Elect will overcome this obstacle. In 2010, AE began securing a spot on the ballot

in several states. By November 2012, the AE ticket chosen by the Online Convention will be on theballot in all 50 states.Technology, Security & Credibility of the Online Convention

Just as Amazon and Facebook have changed the way we shop and socialize, AE is changing how we

nominate our President and Vice President.

The same technology protecting billions of dollars in transaction every day will protect millions

of votes.

AE is building a secure online convention. Every voters registration status will be verified with

state voter files. Every vote will be counted fairly and accurately, and will generate a printableconfirmation. An independent panel of election experts will verify the results.

All candidates will be verified and vetted. All candidates will be verified as constitutionally eligible

to run. All candidates will pass a standard vetting process including background checks. An

independent, nonpartisan committee will certify all finalist candidates.


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Delegate Recruitment and Engagement

All politics is still local, and Delegates will be the boots on the ground.

AE will organize online. But it also needs to organize door-to-door in every neighborhood and onevery college campus. It is called hi-tech/hi-touch politics.

You can help us get the word out by letting your friends, family, and members of your communityknow about the Americans Elect initiative and encourage them to sign up to be a Delegate.

Americans Elect is also an excellent opportunity to get out in the neighborhood and meet peoplewho are concerned with the direction this country is taking. Enhance your leadership skills,

network in your community, and share this innovative project with concerned citizens.

We are here to support you in any way we can. We are happy to provide materials, promotionalitems, or answers to any questions you may have! We want all of our Delegates to be educated onhow the process works and have provided not only an overview here in the manual but also someFrequently Asked Questions you may hear as well as some ideas on how to get started especiallythose first two weeks.

If you have a question that is not answered here in the manual, please feel free to reach anyone ofus here at Americans Elect we are here to support you!

For general questions, email us at [email protected]

For questions about technology, email us at [email protected]

For questions about ballot access, email us at [email protected]

How Can I Help Sign Up New Delegates?

1. Remember, everyone has his or her own unique style. Test it your own way. Check out thewebsite forums for some ideas from others. There are bound to be some interesting approachesthat will make it easier for everybody.

2. Start with your own family, close friends and next-door neighbors. Its not just that they mightbe an easier sell than others, they also are likely to ask the same questions that almost everybodyelse asks, so you can get some practice in answering them.

3. Engage your Facebook friends and twitter lists right away.

4. Collect some emails or phone numbers of people who you talk with that are interested in moreinformation. Let us reach out to them. There is a sign up sheet in the back of this manual that youcan use. Sheets can be scanned to [email protected]. If you need to use a fax machineinstead then let us know and we can get you the best number.

5. Check in with us for new ideas and for help with promotional materials or fun things that helpget the word out.


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How Do I Get Started?

Our first suggestion is getting comfortable with the project. Read over the Frequently AskedQuestions and make sure you are ready to discuss the idea with people. If you have a question orneed some help make sure to get in touch with us!

Once you feel ready, we have attached a document to this manual with 15 suggestions to get youstarted. We encourage you to get started by simply getting the word out amongst your existingnetwork of friends, family, and neighbors.

Post about us on Facebook or send a tweet out to your followers. Let them know why you thinkAmericans Elect is the right movement for our country! Millions of Americans are frustrated rightnow your friends and family included and would simply love to hear about any new ideas to

get us back on track.

Once you have shared the idea with friends and family, you may feel comfortable to start to reachout to your extended community. Again, this is great opportunity to get to know new people andpractice your leadership and speaking skills. Make a presentation at a networking group orcommunity gathering, discuss it with friends from church, or let fellow members of your PTAknow.

Where Are Some Other Places To Talk To People?

1.Door-to-door up and down your street.

2. Your church.

3. Friday night football (before and after the game).

4. The PTA meeting.

5. The VFW.

6. Downtown at lunchtime (when folks might have a few minutes).

7. At the subway or bus stop when people are waiting.

8. The local bookstore.

9. Your local farmers market on the weekend.

10. Any Starbucks.

11. Senior citizen centers.

12. Home town parades.

13. Outside voting places for local elections this November.

14. College campuses.


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How Will Americans Elect Help?1. The Americans Elect field team is designed to be a resource for you. Use them. Thats what

they are there for. Ask them any questions you

2. Participate in the forums where you can get ideas and let others know about your success!The more ideas we all share the better we will all do.

3. The website (www.AmericansElect.org) has an endless supply of both ideas and materialsfor your use. Explore both the materials page and the gift shop for ideas.

4. Both the website and this Manual have answers for probably just about every questionyou will get. Please read the Q&A here before you get started; it will save you a lot of time

later.

5. Every two weeks we will announce a new recruitment campaign that is for our Delegate

Leader program. Although these are intended for our Delegate Leaders, feel free to ask for

information on the newest campaign and try it out.

How Will The Website Help Me?

1. The website is meant to be a resource to all Delegates to not just participate but to learnand find tools to help get the word out:

Further details on all in this Manual. Names and contact info for the Americans Elect field team. Examples of successful recruiting ideas. A blog for questions and answers. Copies of forms and materials that can be downloaded to help you both

explain Americans Elect and answer questions.

2. The Merchandise page will make available all kinds of promotional materials that can bevaluable in spreading the word and the look of Americans Elect.

3. You should make good use of the FAQ on the website, which will probably provide anadequate answer to any question that anyone might ask and is more detailed than thisManuals Q&A.

4. The website will also provide you with tips to write a letter to your local newspaper editor,along with a directory of major newspapers across the country!

5. The website provides a host of additional information in the About Us, News, and othersections.


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ConclusionOur hope is that this manual has provided you with an understanding of the Americans Electinitiative and why it is the right movement for America today. Americans Elect strongly believesthat the Delegates that comprise our effort are the foundation of the entire project. As Delegates

you will play the most important part in building and supporting this foundation and in leadingthe way towards a better democracy. We know that many of you come from different backgroundsand have different interests in Americans Elect but we also know for certain that your patriotismand desire to see the best America possible is the common trait you all share.

On behalf of the entire team at Americans Elect, we thank you for your hard work, dedication, andfor helping us get our nation back on track!


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What is Americans Elect?

A: The rst direct presidential nomination.

You decide the issues

You shape the debate

You choose the candidates

You nominate the President

Who should participate?

A: Every voter who wants a voice that counts.

No matter your party afliation

No matter the color of your state

No matter your political views

What makes

Americans Elect different?

A1:Americans Elect is not a traditional party.

Its a new way to nominate a President

Its open to voters from any party

Its open to candidates from any party

A2: And its not another advocacy group.

Theres no agenda or ideology

Voters dene the issues themselves

The nal vote really counts in 2012

How does it work?

A1. Dene what matters to you

Rank the issues

Determine your views

See how you compare

A2. Shape the platform of questions

Discuss the issues

Match and meet up with other voters

Decide the questions all candidates must

answer

A3. Choose candidates who share your views

Match with existing candidates

Draft new candidates

Watch videos and debates

A4. Nominate your choice for president

Narrow the eld

Evaluate VP choices

Vote in the online convention

Frequently Asked Questions


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Why now?

A: Every voter deserves an equal vote in

the nominating process.

Currently, where you live determines how

much your primary vote counts

Some votersand some stateshave no mean-

ingful vote at all

Most independent voters have no say in the

primary system

Its the rst direct presidential nomination in

US history

Why is this important?

A: Voters demand change.

Voters are increasingly dissatised with

their own parties

States are postponing or even cancelling their

primaries

Too many Americans have no real choice in

the nominating process

Technology makes it possible:

- To cost-effectively reach millions of voters

- To build a secure online convention

- To verify every voter and accurately count

every vote

America can nally nominate a President,

directly

The winning ticket will answer

directly to American voters.

A:All candidates must make a bipartisan pledge

to put Americas interests before those of their

party.

Finalist candidates will be free to choose

a running mate from any party they choose

The winning ticket will be chosen directly bymillions of voters

The winning ticket will be on the ballot in

every state

Can we trust the outcome?

A:Americans Elect is building a secure online

convention:

Every voters registration status will

be veried

Every vote will be counted fairly and accurate-

ly, and will generate a printable conrmation

An independent panel of election experts will

verify the results

All candidates will be veried and vetted

All candidates will be veried as constitution-

ally-eligible to run

All candidates will pass a standard vetting

process including background checks

An independent, nonpartisan committee will

certify all nalist candidates


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1. Like us on Facebook, follow us onTwitter (@AmericansElect).

2. Post about us on Facebook, Twitter, Blog,or other social media platforms!

3. Email your family & friends aboutAmericans Elect and let them know whyyou signed up. Be sure to encourage them to

visit the website and sign up to be a delegate!

4. Visit the website and print out theOnline Activist Kit. Read up about

Americans Elect and check out the

Frequently Asked Questions!

5. Print out the yer available online and

post around town. Be sure to ask permissionfrom management if you are posting at a

business or private property.

6. Identify events, conventions, or otheropportunities in your community

and e-mail the information to

[email protected]!

7. Identify groups in your area that we couldperhaps speak to or address. Please e-mail

information to [email protected]

8. Comment on newspaper stories in yourlocal paper. Link to the website to help

get the word out!

9. Sign up for news feed forAmericans Elect be the rst to read new articles and coverage.

10.Write a letter to the editor and submit to yourlocal paper. Make sure to include our website

where interested readers can contact us!

11.Attend and invite friends to any Meet-Upsor gatherings you have heard about.

12. Email us at [email protected] nd out if there is a petition for ballot

access that you can sign.

13. Print out the sign up sheet from the websiteand get emails or phone numbers from any

friends who would like more information!

Sheets can be faxed to 760-476-9055!

14. Get online and help us make history:https://secure.americanselect.org/give

15. Find us at http://getsatisfaction.com/americanselect and let us know any

suggestions or questions you have or

any ideas on how to makeAmericans Elect

work for you!

15 Things EveryoneCan Do To Help


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DELEGATE SIGN-UP SHEET

Please sign here to receive more information about becoming an

Americans Elect delegate. Be sure to check out the website at

www.americanselect.org!

Name Email Phone State City Interested inbecoming aDelegate?

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No


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WANT ABETTER WAY

TO CHOOSE

A PRESIDENTAmericans Elect will hold the frst-ever online

convention next June or voters, regardless o

party, to nominate a third ticket or president

and vice-president, which will be on the

ballot in all 50 states in 2012.

To get involved email us at:[email protected]

Documents

Americans Elect Delegate Manual