With just a month until the midterms, politics is moving into the heart of Wilton Drive. A new Get Out The Vote Center is a joint effort between the Dolphin Democrats and the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. In this week’s SFGN, online and on Stands tomorrow, I look at the only LGBTQ+ get out the vote center in Florida and its strategic importance. At 2348 Wilton Drive, it’s right across the street from The Manor, a popular club, and lots of LGBTQ+ businesses and restaurants. This is an opportunity to put politics front and center to LGBTQ community members who don’t usually pay much attention. Bud Beehler, one of the organizers, told me “One primary goal is to educate voters on the candidates who are supportive of issues important to LGBTQ+ voters including women's rights, trans rights, immigrants and the economy.” The center already has signs in the windows and hopes to have a grand opening this weekend. With the election so close, there will be no days off. The center will operate every day until election day. Hours are 2pm-9pm Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm Saturdays, and noon until 7pm on Sundays. The first goal is registering people to vote. The last day to register is October 11. After that, they’ll stock a variety of yard signs, window signs and bumper stickers for local and state candidates. Boosting enthusiasm is key after lackluster turnout in the August primaries. Mail-in ballots are already arriving for those who are registered. Early voting runs October 24 through November 6, and voting day is November 8. More details and interviews are in my article in South Florida Gay News, online and on stands tomorrow.
