What's your experience of referendum canvassers??

aunt aggie

In the referendum, canvassers for the yes side seem to be everywhere. Even though I'm voting YES I don't know how to feel about them. They're very young and idealistic but I feel many of them don't know how to talk to people. A young family member walked past a group of canvassers laughing, and they started an argument with this person about homophobia!! Someone has also been putting up stickers and posters in businesses without permission. This kinda thing wont change the minds of anyone voting YES but they could alienate undecided voters.

What has you experience of referendum canvassers been?

Have you canvassed yourself? And if so was any guidelines or training provided?

The YES side had brilliant viral videos encouraging people to talk to their older family members about these issues. I loved that. How has that morphed into arguing with people who already agree with you on street corners?

Also has anyone seen any NO canvassers yet??

Redbishop

aunt aggie wrote: »

In the referendum, canvassers for the yes side seem to be everywhere. Even though I'm voting YES I don't know how to feel about them. They're very young and idealistic but I feel many of them don't know how to talk to people. A young family member walked past a group of canvassers laughing, and they started an argument with this person about homophobia!! Someone has also been putting up stickers and posters in businesses without permission. This kinda thing wont change the minds of anyone voting YES but they could alienate undecided voters.

What has you experience of referendum canvassers been?

Have you canvassed yourself? And if so was any guidelines or training provided?

The YES side had brilliant viral videos encouraging people to talk to their older family members about these issues. I loved that. How has that morphed into arguing with people who already agree with you on street corners?

Also has anyone seen any NO canvassers yet??

I have seen some on my travels, but havent been approached by any or talked to any either. I saw quite a few out yesterday putting up yes signs on a road I was travelling but thats it so far.

Taco Chips

The Yes campaigners I have come across have been extremely polite and happy to engage. I admire their spirit in the face of everything and I might even join them some evening over the next week.

I haven't come across any no campaigners apart from that old man on college green waving the sign about Jesus.

Not a NSA agent

Ive come across one of each. The no guy was just standing there with something about redefining things. The yes side was trying to talk to people a bit more. They were just typical people handing out stuff, not getting in the way or yelling at people.

bopper

The yes canvassers in my area have all been extremely polite (and diverse in terms of age). I haven't had a no canvasser come to my house, but I know they have been around the area.

There is training provided, and you'll be paired with a "buddy" (who has canvassed before) when you first go out.

MintyMagnum

Must have met a dozen Yes canvassers in Cork city centre this morning, most were young & all were polite. Have not met or seen any on No side.

pauliebdub

I've had two from the no camp call a few days ago, didn't come across well, snobby condescending types not engaging. I gave them a short shrift.

I've heard a few people complaining about the yes campaigners being a bit pushy, young students who aren't mature enough to engage effectively.

Zeouterlimits

I haven't actually met any No campaigners / canvassers.
The yes folks I met have been friendly and enthusiastic.

LionelNashe

aunt aggie wrote: »

.............

The YES side had brilliant viral videos encouraging people to talk to their older family members about these issues. I loved that. How has that morphed into arguing with people who already agree with you on street corners?

......

I saw a bunch of #makeithappen tweets last week where young people were posing for selfies with their older relatives who they had just spoken to about voting yes. It struck me as incredibly patronising and likely to have the opposite effect to what was intended. It came across like the older people needed "educating" on the correct way to vote, from the twenty-somethings who were posting the tweets.

CIARAN_BOYLE

only argument for the no vote that ive seen is the yes campaigns canvassers

Greaney

I've met neither, alas:(

If I did I'd have something to say to both. To yes canvassers, especially if they're elected representatives, I'd wonder about the figures. In all our Senate, Dáil etc, there are six, SIX who are against the referendum! Although 30% odd may vote 'no', they are not being represented by those they voted for.

To the 'no' side, I'd ask why they ended up in the conversation Cul-de-sac of assisted reproduction? Freedom of speech and Education have been totally by-passed.

aunt aggie

I am happy to know I'm not the only one a little put off but seems to be a real mix of experiences overall. I know bopper said they would be training or a buddy system, but my Facebook has been full of posts looking for anyone with any free time to help with canvassing!! Sounds desperate.

Not a NSA agent wrote: »

The yes side was trying to talk to people a bit more. They were just typical people handing out stuff, not getting in the way or yelling at people.

Just to clarify, I haven't witnessed any canvassers yelling or getting in the way. I've just encountered pushy canvassers and a family member got in an argument with some. He played it down and didn't mention any shouting.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I was told that I was a bigot who would burn in hell by a member of the yes campaign whose leaflet I refused a couple of weeks ago.

aunt aggie

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I was told that I was a bigot who would burn in hell by a member of the yes campaign whose leaflet I refused a couple of weeks ago.

Wow.. and I gather from your previous posts that you would be voting yes?

Did you just say no thanks to a leaflet? How is that an acceptable thing to say to anyone.

Untense

aunt aggie wrote: »

Wow.. and I gather from your previous posts that you would be voting yes?

Did you just say no thanks to a leaflet? How is that an acceptable thing to say to anyone.

Yikes. Sounds a bit mental actually... Though I'd also question the clarity of mind of anyone who could be swayed to deny equal rights to tens of thousands of fellow citizens based on the actions of one canvasser.

Greaney wrote:

To the 'no' side, I'd ask why they ended up in the conversation Cul-de-sac of assisted reproduction? Freedom of speech and Education have been totally by-passed.

Could you clarify what you mean by this?

rubadub

Saw a scumbag no campaigner the last 2 days purposely distracting motorists on a dangerous part of the N11. Standing there with a big sign, to day in the the middle of an island.

Fianna Fail have proven to be the worst in my area, almost every poster I have seen is violating the county councils safety guidelines and also putting peoples lives at risk, complete & utter scum. I believe these posters are therefore classed as litter, I hope appropriate fines are issued.

Most of the NO posters were in reasonable places. A fair few FG posters are blocking traffic lights & important road signs. Total lack of respect for human life. I think it will take a death before this bizarre & outdated practise is outlawed.

Greaney

Untense wrote: »

Could you clarify what you mean by this?

To be honest I've brought this up on other posts again and again so I'll be brief. The Ashers Bakery case, The outfall from Ontario's new sex-ed curriculum.

There's more and I'm sure you can look it up yourself if you're interested in looking at precedent in other jurisdictions. That's what I meant.

L1011

Greaney wrote: »

To be honest I've brought this up on other posts again and again so I'll be brief. The Ashers Bakery case, The outfall from Ontario's new sex-ed curriculum.

There's more and I'm sure you can look it up yourself if you're interested in looking at precedent in other jurisdictions. That's what I meant.

In the Ashers case, nothing would differ here under current law anyway. Remember that NI only has civil partnerships and has very similar discrimination in provision of goods and service laws to ROI.

CreepingDeath

Only one yes campaigner called to my door.

I saw the "Yes" badge on them, and like all uninvited people who turn up at my door thinking that it is a public advertising platform for Eircom Phonewatch, AirTricity or their own personal beliefs, I immediately said "No thanks" and closed the door.

aunt aggie

Are the canvassers going to be on the streets tomorrow or is this the last day? I know the media has stopped all campaigning on TV today.

RainyDay

aunt aggie wrote: »

Are the canvassers going to be on the streets tomorrow or is this the last day? I know the media has stopped all campaigning on TV today.

There is no moratorium for canvassing. It is just a voluntary broadcast moratorium.

henryporter

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Only one yes campaigner called to my door.

I saw the "Yes" badge on them, and like all uninvited people who turn up at my door thinking that it is a public advertising platform for Eircom Phonewatch, AirTricity or their own personal beliefs, I immediately said "No thanks" and closed the door.

Good for you - that person (like myself) is spending their free time going around trying to secure a positive outcome for this referendum and of course the danger in that is occasionally meeting negative grumps like your good self.

L1011

RainyDay wrote: »

There is no moratorium for canvassing. It is just a voluntary broadcast moratorium.

Its not voluntary on commercial stations - breaching it has you in breach of your BAI licence. Screw up too often and you either won't get a licence renewal or you get put off-air (yes, both have happened).

meglome

I went through Balally Luas station on Friday and there were both Yes and no campaigners. The Yes lot seemed quite enthusiastic. One girl was calling out to people asking it they were voting Yes and wasn't far off high fives if you said you were. Kinda party atmosphere. The 2 no people were standing on the other side looking bored. Though maybe that's now they always look.

padd b1975

No complaints about either side to be honest.
All perfectly well mannered and respectful, so well done to all.

It's not a job most of us would have either the patience or personality for I would imagine.

CreepingDeath

henryporter wrote: »

Good for you - that person (like myself) is spending their free time going around trying to secure a positive outcome for this referendum and of course the danger in that is occasionally meeting negative grumps like your good self.

I think that "No thanks" is a perfectly acceptable or polite answer to someone who calls uninvited to my own home, to recite their own doctrine.

The LGBT crowd calling to my door is just as unwelcome as the anti-abortion crowd, Johaviah witnesses, Fianna Fail, Eircom, Airtricity etc....

ANYONE who thinks that my doorstep is open to their own political, personal or commercial agenda is quite rude... exploiting my politeness to answer the door as an invitation to recite their own agenda.

Redbishop

CreepingDeath wrote: »

I think that "No thanks" is a perfectly acceptable or polite answer to someone who calls uninvited to my own home, to recite their own doctrine.

The LGBT crowd calling to my door is just as unwelcome as the anti-abortion crowd, Johaviah witnesses, Fianna Fail, Eircom, Airtricity etc....

ANYONE who thinks that my doorstep is open to their own political, personal or commercial agenda is quite rude... exploiting my politeness to answer the door as an invitation to recite their own agenda.

How do you stand on ticket sellers?:D:D:D

pmasterson95

Annoying to get a knock on the door to see the yes start on their rhetoric for the millionth time. No one on the country has not had a pushy yes campaigner rmming the agenda down their throat. Absolute nuisance. Heard it the first time. Annoying me wont help your cause.

rubadub

henryporter wrote: »

Good for you - that person (like myself) is spending their free time going around trying to secure a positive outcome for this referendum.

I think time would be better spent taking down dangerous posters which people are putting up knowingly putting peoples lives at risk, there are hundreds around my area. They are really doing your side, whichever your are on, a real disservice. Absolute subhuman scum, putting peoples lives at risk to serve your own agenda. And these people, on both sides, wonder why they get abuse?!?

Redbishop

aunt aggie wrote: »

In the referendum, canvassers for the yes side seem to be everywhere. Even though I'm voting YES I don't know how to feel about them. They're very young and idealistic but I feel many of them don't know how to talk to people. A young family member walked past a group of canvassers laughing, and they started an argument with this person about homophobia!! Someone has also been putting up stickers and posters in businesses without permission. This kinda thing wont change the minds of anyone voting YES but they could alienate undecided voters.

What has you experience of referendum canvassers been?

Have you canvassed yourself? And if so was any guidelines or training provided?

The YES side had brilliant viral videos encouraging people to talk to their older family members about these issues. I loved that. How has that morphed into arguing with people who already agree with you on street corners?

Also has anyone seen any NO canvassers yet??

Polling day and still havent been approached by anyone. Apart from posters and media coverage and a little leaflet through the door nothing to report. Lacklustre campaign really. Relied on general and social media to get message across it seems. Anyway off to cast my yes to both now shortly.

CreepingDeath

Redbishop wrote: »

How do you stand on ticket sellers?:D:D:D

Preferably on their necks.

mark_79

rubadub wrote: »

Saw a scumbag no campaigner the last 2 days purposely distracting motorists on a dangerous part of the N11. Standing there with a big sign, to day in the the middle of an island.

A scumbag for distracting motorists or a scumbag for campaigning a no vote?

barretsimpson

I was asked which way I was voting today, I said I wanted to keep my vote to myself, and the remark was made "must be one of those cowardly no voters then", I walked on and heard a few more jeers behind me. I might just stay at home and not vote, or will I get agro for not voting yes ? I really don't want to live in a country that holds it against people who voted a different way to them.

clairek6

Ive met both in the same location on separate days. No campaigner was a man alone silently handing out leaflets, yes side were a group of three shouting in everyones face that walked by and handing out leaflets, I voted yes today but I found the yes campaigners far too harrassing. Just my personal opinion.

meglome

barretsimpson wrote: »

I was asked which way I was voting today, I said I wanted to keep my vote to myself, and the remark was made "must be one of those cowardly no voters then", I walked on and heard a few more jeers behind me. I might just stay at home and not vote, or will I get agro for not voting yes ? I really don't want to live in a country that holds it against people who voted a different way to them.

Most no voters seem to be voting no for religious or illogical reasons so while I don't agree with what happened I'm not surprised.

Either way it's a private vote so you can vote any way you like and no one will know. You can choose to tell people something or nothing.

barretsimpson

meglome wrote: »

Most no voters seem to be voting no for religious or illogical reasons

It's this type of pigeon holing, stereotyping, and "you must comply" groupthink that I'm most sick of. Ireland is not the better off for it. I'm pretty disturbed by what I've seen going on.

meglome

barretsimpson wrote: »

It's this type of pigeon holing, stereotyping, and "you must comply" groupthink that I'm most sick of. Ireland is not the better off for it. I'm pretty disturbed by what I've seen going on.

I said "Most no voters seem to be voting no for religious or illogical reasons" because I have sat through weeks of poorly thought through or religiously based opinions which often lack even basic logic or any human compassion. If you have a sensible no opinion I would genuinely love to hear it.

I and many others would stand next to you and fight for your right to give your opinion but don't expect us to agree with nonsense. With some of the reasons people have given for voting no they shouldn't be embarrassed, they should be ashamed.

barretsimpson

Well firstly I think marriage is an outdated concept and secondly, its not equality as scores of people will still be excluded from marriage. The constitution has a long list of them. From sisters to brothers etc. Also Muslim people will not be able to marry more than one person. Under the new constitution, a single mother with four kids is not considered a family, but two gay men are. So much for equality, some people are more equal than others. Roll on the abuse . . .

barretsimpson

Just been told on another thread, I should "stick a penis in my mouth".
Welcome to the new Ireland folks.

aunt aggie

barretsimpson wrote: »

Just been told on another thread, I should "stick a penis in my mouth".
Welcome to the new Ireland folks.

And you need to share this why???

Emsloe

I didn't encounter any canvassers at all which surprised me actually as I live in an established suburb in a mid-sized city. I did get a 'vote yes' pamphlet in the door this afternoon, after I'd already been out to vote.

I'm glad I didn't encounter any tbh, I took time to form my own opinion and I'm not really interested in anyone trying to talk me out of it. I can understand local councillors/TDs canvassing during elections to show their wares and thrash out local issues but I think canvassing for referendums isn't appropriate.

hdowney

I canvassed for the Yes campaign. I got no training. The only thing I was told is don't get into an argument with someone.

I did street canvassing - handing out leaflets. People were polite and took them or didn't. I didn't force them. One man said he was voting no. Fair enough says I. It is his choice and his mind was made up.

The house to house. No training. Paired with another newbie. I took the stance that if they didn't answer the door and had a 'no junk mail' we didn't put any leaflet thru their door. Had a mostly older crowd on the door. They took the leaflet. No-one outright said they were voting no but you could tell if they were that way inclined. Again we were polite and so were they. I noticed some houses in an area we were doing had the Sinn Fein leaflets in so decided to leave that area. No one would appreciate a barrage of leaflets.

There seemed to be no co-ordination between the different canvassing groups so no-one knew if an area had been done previous.

Haven't met any no campaigners or had them call.

oscarBravo

barretsimpson wrote: »

Well firstly I think marriage is an outdated concept...

That's not an argument against extending marriage to those who are excluded from it; it's an argument for abolishing marriage.

...and secondly, its not equality as scores of people will still be excluded from marriage. The constitution has a long list of them. From sisters to brothers etc. Also Muslim people will not be able to marry more than one person. Under the new constitution, a single mother with four kids is not considered a family, but two gay men are. So much for equality, some people are more equal than others.

Again, the idea that it's OK to continue to deny some people equality just because you feel there will still be others who won't have equality is flawed reasoning.

Roll on the abuse . . .

Being disagreed with isn't abuse.

barretsimpson

oscarBravo wrote: »

That's not an argument against extending marriage to those who are excluded from it; it's an argument for abolishing marriage. Again, the idea that it's OK to continue to deny some people equality just because you feel there will still be others who won't have equality is flawed reasoning. Being disagreed with isn't abuse.

You don't do away with marriage by extending it. So why would I vote for that ?
If its about equality, then tell the truth and open it to all people. It would have been quite easy to do.

barretsimpson

oscarBravo wrote: »

That's not an argument against extending marriage to those who are excluded from it; it's an argument for abolishing marriage. Again, the idea that it's OK to continue to deny some people equality just because you feel there will still be others who won't have equality is flawed reasoning.

You don't do away with marriage by extending it. So why would I vote for that ?
If its about equality, then tell the truth and open it to all people. It would have been quite easy to do.

oscarBravo wrote: »

Being disagreed with isn't abuse.

Pretty sad tactic to pretend I said so.

meglome

barretsimpson wrote: »

Just been told on another thread, I should "stick a penis in my mouth".
Welcome to the new Ireland folks.

Does it make me gay if I'd like to see you try it? try-curious perhaps?

meglome

barretsimpson wrote: »

You don't do away with marriage by extending it. So why would I vote for that ?
If its about equality, then tell the truth and open it to all people. It would have been quite easy to do.

I'd back you to get rid of marriage as it stands.

barretsimpson

meglome wrote: »

Does it make me gay if I'd like to see you try it? try-curious perhaps?

I'd say if someone forced it into my mouth it would really get you off.
After all if you're not into gay sex your surely homophobic, or you soon will be labelled so.

Timberrrrrrrr

barretsimpson wrote: »

I'd say if someone forced it into my mouth it would really get you off.
After all if you're not into gay sex your surely homophobic, or you soon will be labelled so.

Was it a canvasser on the street who said this to you?

meglome

barretsimpson wrote: »

I'd say if someone forced it into my mouth it would really get you off.
After all if you're not into gay sex your surely homophobic, or you soon will be labelled so.

Well I'm willing to give it a try. Pictures or video or it didn't happen.

There are a few different flavours of sexuality and personally I'm not hung up on them as long as no is being harmed.

We have a reality that gay couples don't have the same rights as straight ones, that's inequality. Seem like a no brainer to vote Yes to fix that.

barretsimpson

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Was it a canvasser on the street who said this to you?

No it was a canvasser on here. A glimpse of the new tolerant Ireland.