Beginning with Barack Obama’s inspiring victory in 2008, we’ve held four get-out-the-vote retreats in Carson City, Nevada. This year Nevada is once again a critical swing state that may go either way in the presidential election. We hope to help deliver the state’s six electoral votes to the most progressive, thoughtful, and compassionate candidates: Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Also at risk is the incumbent U.S. Senator, Democrat Jackie Rosen, whom we helped elect in 2018. By re-electing her we can help keep the Democratic majority in the Senate.
To register, please fill out the form below, and be sure to click the red “Register” button at the bottom of the page!
Schedule. The retreat runs from Tuesday, October 22, through Election Day, November 5th. We require a minimum stay of three full days. Given the space limitations of the house, there will be a maximum of 18 retreat participants per day. Priority will be given to folks who sign up for longer periods. (Some have already committed to the full two weeks). The daily schedule will include two periods of meditation, a dharma talk and a shared breakfast in the morning; precinct walking in the afternoon; and dinner and a closing period of meditation in the evening.
Housing. The retreat will be held in a beautiful, two-story house with a lovely meditation room. Some of us will sleep at the house, and there’s more housing close-by in the neighborhood. Or you may want to bring your tent to sleep in the backyard.
Transportation. Many participants will make the drive up to Carson City and use their autos for the canvassing work. Let us know if you need a ride and we’ll put you in touch with other people with cars. There are also buses and a train from the Bay Area to Nevada.
Precinct Walking. We will be getting out the vote for the Democratic candidates by knocking on the doors of Democratic voters and independent voters who may lean Democratic. The local Democratic party volunteers know us and are excited that “The Buddhists are coming!”
Food. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by experienced Zen cooks. We will make our own bagged lunches. All food will be vegetarian; please indicate on the form if you have any special dietary needs, for example if you are vegan or if you have any particular food allergies. We ask that you make a donation of $35 per day for food and supplies. (A few partial scholarships may be available.)
Work Positions. We are looking for volunteers to take positions such as housing coordinator, treasurer, zendo manager, and cooks’ helper. On your registration form please let us know what you could do.
Additional Information. On August 31, 2024, at 12:00 PM PDT our team will hold a Zoom orientation briefing to update you further and to answer questions about the Carson City retreat.
We hope to see you in Carson City!
Deep bows,
Ed Herzog, Stan Dewey, and Melody Ermachild for the Carson City Election Retreat team