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Republican Party (United States)

Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts Intensify in Tight Senate Race

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a bid to sway voters in New York's tight Senate race, both the Democratic and Republican parties are working feverishly to get their supporters to the polls. According to reports, the Democratic Party has deployed over 500 volunteers to distribute 70,000 fliers urging voters to support Representative Charles E. Schumer and other Democrats, while the Republican Party has sent out nearly 2,100 volunteers to distribute sample ballots with the names of Republican candidates, including Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato.

The efforts have taken on greater significance than usual, with both parties devoting unprecedented resources to get-out-the-vote operations. Democratic and Republican officials say they are working with zeal and spending more than ever on turnout efforts, with the goal of shaping the outcome of the Senate race. While both parties maintain that their efforts are aimed at supporting their respective slates of candidates, much of the push is focused on securing the Senate seat.

The Democratic Party has planned a comprehensive turnout effort, with more than 2,300 people working on Tuesday throughout the state and nearly 2 million Democratic voters to be contacted by telephone in the last few days of the campaign. The party's efforts will be complemented by labor unions, including the Civil Service Employees Association, which has a membership of about 200,000 state employees and is working on behalf of Gov. George E. Pataki. Meanwhile, the Republican Party has planned a similar intense effort, with party officials working to reach out to voters who they believe will vote Republican.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Party has deployed over 500 volunteers to distribute 70,000 fliers urging voters to support Representative Charles E. Schumer and other Democrats.
  • The Republican Party has sent out nearly 2,100 volunteers to distribute sample ballots with the names of Republican candidates, including Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato.
  • The Democratic Party will have more than 2,300 people working on Tuesday throughout the state.
  • The party will contact nearly 2 million Democratic voters by telephone in the last few days of the campaign.
  • The Civil Service Employees Association, which has a membership of about 200,000 state employees, is working on behalf of Gov. George E. Pataki.
  • The Republican Party has spent at least $1 million on one recent mailing to remind voters to go to the polls.
  • The Working Families Party has set a goal of securing 50,000 votes for Peter F. Vallone on its ballot line, which would earn it an automatic spot on the ballot in the next election.
  • The Liberal Party needs 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial candidate, Lieut. Gov. Betsy McCaughey Ross, to retain its ballot line and political influence.

Statistics:

  • Over 70,000 fliers were distributed by the Democratic Party to urge voters to support Representative Charles E. Schumer and other Democrats.
  • Nearly 2,100 volunteers were sent out by the Republican Party to distribute sample ballots with the names of Republican candidates, including Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato.
  • The Democratic Party has planned to contact nearly 2 million Democratic voters by telephone in the last few days of the campaign.
  • The party has over 2,300 people working on Tuesday throughout the state.
  • The Republican Party has spent at least $1 million on one recent mailing to remind voters to go to the polls.
  • The Working Families Party has set a goal of securing 50,000 votes for Peter F. Vallone on its ballot line.
  • The Liberal Party needs 50,000 votes for its gubernatorial candidate, Lieut. Gov. Betsy McCaughey Ross, to retain its ballot line and political influence.

Sources:

  • New York Times, "Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts Intensify in Tight Senate Race"
  • Interview with Joseph N. Mondello, Nassau County Republican chairman
  • Interview with Judith Hope, state's Democratic Party chairwoman
  • Interview with Terry O'Brien, state Republican Party spokesman
  • Interview with Adam Glickman, Working Families Party spokesman
  • Interview with Raymond B. Harding, Liberal Party chairman

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