League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Peter J. Allen Answers Questions Candidate for Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of Santa Clara; State Assembly District 28

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What would you do to increase the number of voters registered in your party?

In 2010, Santa Clara County became the first jurisdiction in the country to accept mobile voter registration through "smart" touchscreen devices like iPhones and iPads. A pilot project at San Jose State during the primary and general elections that year resulted in a 71% conversion rate from unregistered student to voting student using mobile touchscreen registration technology developed by a Silicon Valley company. The Democratic Party could utilize this technology to expand and enhance its voter registration apparatus and maximize engagement from young and immigrant communities, who have adopted smart devices at a far higher rate than other demographics.

2. What would you do to help the campaigns of candidates of your party?

Beyond registering more Democrats to vote for them, I have and always will engage in traditional and still effective campaign activities such as precinct walking and phone banking. I'm also quick to offer my consultation and advice to young and first-time candidates looking to enter the pipeline of local leadership. The path to sustained success for progressive Democrats in Santa Clara County is through the widening of our "bench". We must ensure that the next generation takes up the mantle when we can no longer carry it ourselves.

3. Why did you become a member of this political party?

I first became a Democrat because my grandmother told me that I would be disowned if I didn't. But in all seriousness, it didn't take long for me to realize that this is where I belong. The Democratic Party stands for equality, social justice, working people, and most of all, freedom. These are values that compel me to fight every day and help move us a little further toward a more perfect union. The real question is: Why would you become a member of any other political party?

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers are 400 words for all questions. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 3, 2012 11:45
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