Yet the shocking thing about our community losing so many elections is that we actually know how to win them. When we do, the fuzzy, unflattering image of us as oddities from an X-Files episode dissolves. The very same conversation. Since many of our strongest supporters often miss elections, we lose without this kind of follow-up. Making a voter I.D. list isn't glamorous, but it makes or breaks our campaigns across the country.
Maine offers a useful case study.
In February 1998, the GLBT community lost Maine's state-wide law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The New York Times post-election analysis was shockingly clear. A well-run campaign is built on turning out its base. The low turnout of pro-gay voters cost us the election. They prepared for the election by starting to identify their voters well in advance.