Frequently Asked Questions

(Click here to download these answers as a Word document.)

Basics

Q. What is the Presidential Straw Poll?

A. The Presidential Straw Poll will be the largest gathering ever of Democratic activists in San Mateo County. High turnout at this event will be driven by grassroots volunteers committed to taking back the White House and supporting Democratic candidates in 2008.

In a festive, convention-like atmosphere, attendees will learn more about the presidential candidates and how to get involved in the local Democratic Party.

Each attendee will enter with a $25 ticket and cast one vote for their preferred candidate. The Straw Poll will end with a press conference where the results will be announced. The candidate who wins the Straw Poll will receive a big boost going into the homestretch of the campaign.

Q. Why is it important for me to participate in the Straw Poll?

A. In 2008, for the first time in a long time, California voters will have a major role in selecting the Democratic nominee for President. Because of that, all eyes are on California, and the Presidential Straw Poll will be an important benchmark of a candidate's actual support in this important state. Attending the Straw Poll and voting for your favorite candidate will make it more likely that he or she will win the Straw Poll, which will provide a high-profile boost to the campaign going into the homestrech before California's February 5, 2008 primary election. The Straw Poll is also a great way to help organize supporters of your candidate by recruiting a large group of attendees for a fun and exciting event, purchasing a table to distribute literature and recruit volunteers, and reserving space to post signs encouraging other attendees to vote for your candidate at the Straw Poll and in the February 5 primary.

Your participation is also important because all proceeds from the Straw Poll go to the San Mateo County Democratic campaign, which is the "ground game" for all Democratic candidates in the County, including the Presidential nominee. We do the door knocking and phone calling that identifies our supporters and gets them out to vote. We operate the headquarters that serves as a focal point for Democrats in the County. We create and distribute the slate mailer and other communications that support our Democratic candidates. We do not, however, receive direct financial support from the state or national Democratic Party, so your participation as a Straw Poll attendee or sponsor is critical to making our campaign as effective as it can be.

Q. Where and when will the Presidential Straw Poll take place?

A.The Presidential Straw Poll will take place on Sunday, October 21, 2007, from 2 to 5 p.m. in Oak Hall in the San Mateo Expo Center (now called the Event Center), 2495 S. Delaware St., San Mateo, California.

The Expo Center is 4 blocks away from the Delaware St. exit off of Highway 92, just west of Highway 101, and is 15 minutes south of the San Francisco Airport. You can find directions at http://sanmateoexpo.org/directions.aspx.

Voting will be from 2 to 4 p.m., and the press conference announcing the results will begin at 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: The Expo Center charges $7 per car for parking. We encourage attendees to use public transportation (samtrans.com or caltrain.com).

Q. How many attendees do you expect?

A. We expect at least 1,000 people to attend the Straw Poll.

Q. Who will attend?

A. The Presidential Straw Poll will be the largest gathering ever of Democratic activists, elected officials and opinion leaders in San Mateo County. We also anticipate that Democratic activists and leaders from neighboring counties and elsewhere in California will attend. In addition, each of the announced Democratic presidential candidates has been invited to attend.

Tickets & Voting

Q. How much does a ticket cost?

A. $25.

Q. How/where do I purchase a ticket?

A. You can purchase tickets online at strawpoll2008.org, or send a ticket purchase form and check to SMCDCC, P.O. Box 2298, Daly City, CA, 94017. You will receive a purchase confirmation and will be able to pick up your ticket(s) at select locations prior to the Straw Poll and at the Straw Poll itself.

Q. Can I purchase more than one ticket?

A. Yes. You can purchase as many tickets as you want. Consider becoming a sponsor by purchasing at least 5 tickets, and give the extras to fellow supporters of your favorite candidate, and/or your family and friends.

NOTE: No matter how many tickets you purchase, you may vote only once.

Q. Who may vote?

A. Any Californian who will be at least 18 years old on February 5, 2008, and has a ticket to enter the Straw Poll may vote.

Q. How many times can I vote?

A. Once.

Q. When can I vote?

A. You can vote at any time between 2pm and 4 pm.

Q. Can I participate if I'm not from San Mateo County?

A. All Californians are invited to attend and cast their vote at the Straw Poll. Each vote will be included in the totals announced at the Straw Poll.

NOTE: If 200 or more svotes are cast by residents outside of San Mateo County, they will be reported separately, so it pays to organize in other counties and bring a crew of supporters.

Media

Q. Are members of the media invited to attend the Straw Poll?

A. Yes. Credentialed media will be able to attend without purchase of a ticket.

Q. How do I obtain a media credential?

A. Please contact the Straw Poll Media Liaison at strawpoll@sanmateodemocrats.org.

Q. Can bloggers be credentialed as media?

A. Absolutely. We encourage blogging from the Straw Poll.

Sponsorship

Q. How can I sponsor the Straw Poll?

A. You can sponsor the Straw Poll in three easy steps:

(1) First, pick one of six sponsorship levels in the table below. The higher your sponsorship level, the more recognition you will receive and the more tickets and candidate promotional opportunities you will receive.

Sponsorship Level	Recognition	Contribution
Democratic Leaders Circle	On website, cover of Straw Poll program & wall display near stage at Straw Poll	$2,000 (plus give/raise an additional $3,000 by 5/30/08)
Hayfield	Recognition in program & on wall display	$2,000
Hay Bale	Program & wall display	$1,250
Hay Stack	Program & wall display	$500
Making Hay	Program	$250
Nobody's Strawman	Program	$125

(2) Next, based on your sponsorship contribution, choose from the following participation options. You can choose options up to the amount of your sponsorship contribution.

Participation Option	Description	Contribution
Ticket	Allows bearer to enter Straw Poll and vote	$25 each
Sign/Banner Displayed On "America's Largest Political Billboard"	Display a sign that you provide in the hall during the Straw Poll	$20 for ≤ 4 ft2; $5/add'l ft2
Sign/Banner Hung From Ceiling	Display a sign that you provide in the hall during the Straw Poll	$500 for ≤ 80 ft2 ; $10/add'l ft2
Deluxe Promotion Package	Includes table, 2 chairs, 10' x 6' wall space behind table, each person in group can bring in handheld sign	$1,000
Program	Advertisement in program distributed to every Straw Poll attendee	$150: business card $350: half page $600: full page $1,500: back cover

For example, if you are a Hay Stack sponsor ($500), you can choose to receive 20 tickets (the entire $500). Or you can choose to receive 4 tickets ($100) and 80 square feet of space to post signs on "America's Largest Political Billboard" (the remaining $400). Or maybe you'd like 6 tickets ($150) and a half page advertisement in the program (the remaining $350). It's your choice...

(3) Finally, contact the Sponsorship Chair at strawpoll@sanmateodemocrats.org with your selections.

Q. What will the money be used for?

A. Revenue generated by the Straw Poll will benefit the 2008 San Mateo County Democratic campaign, including our county headquarters and staff, and our voter contact efforts through slate mailers, precinct walking, phoning, outreach events, email and the Internet.