Signature gathering to get onto the ballot is a tedious and labor intensive affair, one that dissuades many candidates from even running. Fortunately, the burden of signature gathering is lessened with DeLorme mapping software.

I first used DeLorme in my 2004 race for an assembly seat in Huntington Beach (Assembly District 67). The candidate first creates a spreadsheet with the addresses of all registered Libertarian within his or her chosen district. This spreadsheet data is then entered into DeLorme. DeLormewill create a geographic map that highlights all registered Libertarians in that district (see fig. 1). This map makes it easier both to locate your signature prospects and plan the shortest route to hitting them all.

But wait, DeLormeoffers still more advantages!

I did much of my signature gathering after work. Often after sundown. If you've ever searched for a residential street address, in an unfamiliar neighborhood, after dark, well, you know how difficult that can be. House address numbers aren't always conveniently located, much less illuminated, so that they can be seen from a passing car. It is both frustrating and time-consuming to search for those worn-off street numbers painted on sidewalks, in the dark of night.

But DeLorme has the solution!
DeLorme can be hooked up to a GPS receiver. With my trusty GPS, I didn't need to see the house numbers. My GPS told me exactly when I was in front of the right house (see fig. 2).
With DeLorme, I gathered 135 signatures, all by my lonesome. All those signatures were obtained through direct personal contact. For many registered Libertarians, I was their first contact with someone from the Party--and they were delighted that I came by! I'd initiated direct, personal relationships with actively- voting Libertarians who crave to help in non-monetary ways.

I recruited four new candidates for City Council during my signature gathering. And I culled the rolls of non-locatable members. One third of my initial list of registered Libertarians turned out to be inaccurate.

With what I learned throughout my signature gathering. I kept updating the map and database in my DeLorme. I drew city, school, and Assembly boundaries. On the map, I marked the best locations for signs. I marked locations where I had permission for signs, where permission was expressly denied, where I had placed signs, and whether it was a large or a small sign. This data is reusable for all future elections. And I can pass this data on to other candidates.

My one-time costs were $100 for the DeLorme software, and $100 for the GPS receiver. However, DeLormewill give us a discount on multiple packages. They can even customize the software for our specific requirements. I recommend each county LP obtain a copy of this software, or something like it.

Details on this software may be found at: DeLorme.com. The software is also available through Amazon.com and other retail outlets.

In 2006 Norm "Firecracker" Westwell was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Ocean View School District.
His email: normw@modernpublic.com.

Copyright by Norm "Firecracker" Westwell