Frequently Asked Questions

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

Basics

Q. What is the Straw Poll?

A. The 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 Governorship of California and supporting Democratic candidates in 2010.

In a festive, convention-like atmosphere, attendees will learn more about the many candidates for statewide office 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 candidates. 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. Where and when will the Straw Poll take place?

A.The Straw Poll will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the South San Francisco Conference Center, 255 South Airport Boulevard South San Francisco, CA 94080. Voting will be from 2 to 4 p.m., and the press conference announcing the results will begin at 4:30 p.m.

The South San Francisco Conference Center is easily accessible from all Bay Area locations. The South San Francisco Conference Center has an agreement to share parking with both neighboring hotels - the Holiday Inn to the south and the Good Nite Inn to the north. Additional parking is available diagonally across the street in the lot located between the Travelodge and the Best Western Grosvenor Hotel.

The Conference Center is also accessible by bus, the 292 SamTrans Bus from the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco or, from the south, board the 292 SamTrans Bus at the Hillsdale Mall on Hillsdale Boulevard or board at the San Francisco International Airport. Exit bus at the Holiday Inn in South San Francisco. The Conference Center is next door on the left. Please contact SamTrans, if you need additional scheduling/route information regarding the 292 SamTrans Bus.

For more information visit the Conference Center site here:

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 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 Statewide candidates for the Constitutional offices 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 strawpoll2010.org, or send a ticket purchase form and check to SMCDCC, 751 Laurel Street, Box 702, San Carlos, CA 94070. 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 June 8, 2010, 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 votes 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 5/30/10)
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
Deluxe Promotion Package	Includes table, 2 chairs, 10' x 6' wall space behind table	$1,500
Program	Advertisement in program distributed to every Straw Poll attendee	$250: business card $550: half page $1,000: 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 maybe you'd like 8 tickets ($250) and a business card size advertisement in the program (the remaining $250). 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 2010 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.