Alfred Walking Bull

According to a recent article in the Reno Gazette-Journal, the number of registered voters in Nevada has dropped by 120,000 since the 2008 presidential election, leaving the Democratic Party's statewide advantage in voters down to 109,753 Democrats over Republicans.

Closer to home in Washoe County, that breaks down to 94,021 Democrats over 92,458 Republicans, leaving us with a razor-thin majority of 1,563 registered Democrats.

With Nevada's midterm elections looming, we'll see candidates coming to court our votes and support in hopes of advancing Democratic platforms, values and goals both statewide and in Washington.

However, the candidates' efforts and attention may be all for naught if we, as the Washoe County Democratic Party, can't produce enough registered voters to turn out on Election Day 2010. It is imperative at this point -- while we have the time to educate potential voters -- that we do educate and engage them at every possible opportunity. The most common question encountered during current voter registration efforts seems to be, "Why should I register? We just voted." Our job, as a the party of the people, is to remind the public that change doesn't just happen at the federal level, but at the state, county, city and municipal levels as well.

Will we register the thousands of voters we need to secure a solid majority in Washoe County? Probably not, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Every new Democratic voter is another voter who can support a Democratic Congressional representative or senator, governor, constitutional officer, assemblyperson, state senator, county commissioner, city councilperson or school board member.

The best way to achieve success is to maintain a constant presence in the community as a vehicle to enfranchising and educating potential voters. We, as a party, have two upcoming opportunities. The first is this Fourth of July at the Star-Spangled Sparks celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. where we'll be canvassing the crowd. The next will be on August 13 at the Sparks Farmers Market from 2:30 to 8 p.m. in two shifts (2:30 to 5:30 and 5:30 to 8 p.m.).

To ensure that Washoe County is truly blue, this is the simple work that remains to be done over the next year and a half. And it needs to be done.

If you would like to sign up for a voter registration shift, please contact Shaun Gray at 323.8683.