New voting initiative idea

[soc_puppet]

I went out to vote in some primaries this morning! (Not presidential primaries, other stuff.) Since our polling place is within walking distance, Mom and I went together, and took Molly with us. We took turns going in to vote, and the other one waited outside with Molly (who absolutely refused to leave the door, on the off-chance that she would be allowed to go in and collect her missing person).

A lot of people stopped to say hello to Molly, including one of the poll workers! Molly was very happy about this, since I tend to give people treats to give to her whenever she meets new people, and Mom had handed me some before going in to vote. And the whole thing made me think:

We need to have dog petting stations outside of polling places. Arrange for some therapy dogs to be there, maybe, or some adoptable dogs from a local shelter; have them close enough to draw people over but far enough away from the entrance that people who are scared of or allergic to dogs won't have any trouble going in. People stop by to see the dogs, hey, why not vote while you're here? People stop by to vote, come pet a dog before and/or after! Politics can be stressful, petting a dog can help.

Anyway. I don't know how it could be organized, but I think it has potential.

Comments

[soc_puppet]

I think that the best option for proof of concept would be to have a therapy dog or two available at an early voting or voting registration location. A nice, central location, with low stakes (still plenty of time to vote and/or register if that opportunity doesn't work out), but also: Doggo! No idea who to suggest it to, though.

I would be lining up to do some of the petting (and Molly would probably also want to say 'hi') ♥

[chanter1944]

Hmmm, city council? Local alder?

You would doubtless be getting wagged at, sniffed, generally greeted with friendliness, and possibly licked in the face. :P Friendly interaction with Molly also highly likely.