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Election Mailers: Part of Cycle or Bound for Recycle?

Do election mailers provide something beneficial or do they simply fill up your recycling bin? Tell us your thoughts and share some of the mailers with us here.

We've all seen them. They come in size big and bigger and they've been inundating our mail boxes for more than a month.

In the last two days, I've received 25 mailers and we still have five days before the elections. How many have you received today? But more importantly, are they effective? Do they help you decide which way you will vote? Or are they simply more things to put in the recycle bin (or line your bird cages/kitty boxes with)?

Tell us in the comments and snap a picture of your stack and share it here.

Bethany Curran November 1, 2012 at 06:39 pm
Whether we agree with what they have to say or not, they go straight to the recycle bin in our house! Soooo many mailers sent out every day, what a waste! Jim Beall and Chad Walsh are the worst offenders of sending multiple mailers too. We get one from each of them every day! I'll be so glad when the election is over so we can have our mailbox back...
Mayra Flores de Marcotte (Editor) November 1, 2012 at 07:12 pm
I agree Bethany. I never read them. I do my own research. And just as an aside ... the mailman just came and left another five mailers.
Bethany Curran November 1, 2012 at 07:22 pm
I honestly feel bad for the letter carriers. In our neighborhood they're on foot carrying all that extra bulky mail that will just end up in the bin anyway. It is so wasteful to send out that much paper, and it's frustrating that we can't opt out of receiving it all. It's really a shame all the way around.
Janine Payton November 1, 2012 at 07:51 pm
Today I only got 3, but there has been at least that many or more every day. I sometimes look at the fine print to see who paid for them. That can tell you more than reading the rest of the big print. Like the one that is touting more taxes from the card rooms that is paid for with major financing from Bay 101. Now why would they want to tax themselves? Oh- they want to expand which will in turn bring in more taxes.
Elisabeth November 1, 2012 at 07:57 pm
On any given day I receive a pile about 1/2-1" high. I take a look at the candidates who send them (and check to see if it says anything about it being on recycled paper, and it usually isn't), ignore the ones on the initiatives, and throw them all in the recycling bin. The candidates that send them are remembered for their waste when it comes time to vote. The candidates who use more earth-friendly methods at getting their message out are also remembered in a more positive light.
Elisabeth November 1, 2012 at 07:59 pm
I, too, feel bad for the letter carriers. I have seen our postman out working much longer hours due to this. He delivers at my house at about 11am, but I've seen him two streets over still making his rounds with his arms full at about 5pm.
Bethany Curran November 1, 2012 at 08:38 pm
Just got 4 more! This is ridiculous. Does anyone know of an "Opt Out" option?
Peggy Bryan November 2, 2012 at 10:19 am
I recently posted a question on facebook, "Am I the only one who sorts the mail over the recycling bin." Overwhelming avalanche of responses about going to the mailbox directly to recycling. Yesterday in my senior exercise class the chat was about out-of-control political calls & mailers driving people crazy--"crazy" enough to switch votes AWAY from the candidates who kill the most trees. Our household voted two weeks ago! STOP it already!! No one can understand why the candidates think this overkill tactic works and no one appreciates it (that I know).
Lydia Habr November 2, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Such a sad waste of money & other resources! I'm so turned off by the whole thing that I don't even bother to read them. They immediately get tossed right into the recycle bin. And I already voted quite some time ago, so they would be doing no good even if I were inclined to read them. Add these to the endless tv ads & annoying phone calls & it makes me want to vote even less for any of them or any of the proposed measures. Spend this money in other more constructive ways to help the economy grow & that will get my attention!
Mayra Flores de Marcotte (Editor) November 2, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Good point, Janine! Reading who pays for these adds is always interesting ...
Vikki Essert November 2, 2012 at 01:21 pm
I'm joining the chorus- a tremendous waste of paper! Also, the calling is completely out of control- I don't even answer my phone unless I recognize the number. Does anybody really think voters decide based on unsolicited calls and mailers?
Mayra Flores de Marcotte (Editor) November 2, 2012 at 01:41 pm
What's the latest you've received a call? I received one at 9pm on a Sunday! I could not believe it.
Lucy J. November 2, 2012 at 01:44 pm
I agree with the fact that it is not only very wasteful, but very annoying. Why do candidates or those trying to pass certain measures or propositions think this is effective? It infuriates me when I have to put most or even all of my mail directly into the recycling! Our poor postman is overloaded and so much paper is wasted! I can understand sending 1 mailer, but beyond that is excessive to say it nicely. I agree that the more mailers I get from any candidate or measure/ prop, the more negatively I think about them. I also agree, there should be an opt out!
Phil Reynolds, Jr. November 3, 2012 at 01:17 am
These are very interesting comments, and as a "non candidate' in this election cycle, I must confess that at times, I feel the same way as many of you do. Now I would like to add my comments from a former candidates prospective.
Two years ago I ran for a local office. I came in 5th place out of 9 candidates, for 3 seats. During my race, I was fortunate to be able to raise enough funds to do two mailers (they are not cheap). One mailer for absentee voters and one for voters that go to the polls. Timing is everything. Now for the whys. Mailers are necessary for a candidate that truly wants to win his or her race. Not every voter will know every candidate and the objective is name recognition. Another reason is that even if a candidate was able to visit every voters residence, How many people will not be home when you knock on the door?
Phil Reynolds, Jr. November 3, 2012 at 01:17 am
PART 2
In my race one candidate did about 7 mailers and guess what? He won. I do agree with the idea of using recycled materials. If they are available. I too, agree that it would be in the candidates best interest to use them if available. Now to address the issue of the letter carriers. This really is job security for them, and while it may seem like a burden to them, postage is being paid and pay checks are being issued. I'm not sure how many of you may remember the days of the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalogs going out in November to every house. Compared to the weight of all those catalogs, the letter carriers today have a much lighter load. In the future, when your tossing those mailers, and I agree, they are a lot of trees, I ask that you try to look at it from the candidates prospective. They are working very hard to get your vote, so they can serve their community as best as you would want them to. We definitely need good people running our schools and governments, and some times it takes a mailer to help the voters make decisions. I have many elderly neighbors that are not even on a computer, but they still vote in every election. Thank you for reading my thoughts.
Bethany Curran November 3, 2012 at 03:57 am
Phil, you have some interesting points, but I don't think you see the main issue I (and it would seem others who have also commented) am having. The issue is the multiple mailers being sent by the same candidates or issues. I get *4 per week* from Chad Walsh, Jim Beall, and the people behind "Yes on 30". That is excessive! I understand the point of the mailers is to let people know who the candidates are and what they stand for, or why we should/ shouldn't vote for certain measures or props. I also understand that they are helpful to those who would not otherwise know about the information they contain. My problem is with the excess. At this point I feel harassed by these candidates and groups. I personally like Jim Beall and had already planed on voting for him, but after the daily mailers I'm not so sure anymore. That is something that they need to consider when ordering all those mailers to be sent out. IMO, 2 mailers total per candidate/ issue is enough to make sure they are seen by the intended person and to get your point across.
Phil Reynolds, Jr. November 4, 2012 at 01:35 am
Bethany,
I understand your point and agree with you. Four mailers per week is excessive. Unfortunately, if the campaign that sends that sends four mailers per week wins, they're going to think they did the right amount and the campaign that sent two or three lost, they're going to think they should have sent more. I really don't have an answer as to the perfect amount of mailers but I think we both will agree that it will be great to have out telephones, T.V's and our mailboxes back to normal after this election is finally over. Have a great weekend.
Bethany Curran November 4, 2012 at 01:39 am
Yes, we can definitely agree on that! I will be very happy when this is all over. Hope you have a great weekend too, Phil :)
EBW November 4, 2012 at 05:04 pm
Bethany,
I have not received many mailers, but most are from Jim Beall and Paul Fong. I received two from Fong on the same day, and several in one week. Unfortunately, the Beall mailers attack Coto and don't say much about Beall's record. The Fong ones are only about who endorses him. No substance; one said he had a 100% voting record but it was who supports him 100%; nothing about his actual voting record.

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