Guest post from our Alameda County Coordinator, Heather, who has been planning some amazing and creative events for our large contingent of volunteers in the East Bay. Read about her experience below, and please consider joining her team or one near you for the last stretch of efforts this week!

As the Alameda County Volunteer Coordinator, it has been inspirational for me to see people from all over the county come in and give their time to help elect Jerry Brown. It speaks to the candidate and to the amazing volunteers who can imagine a better California and are willing to reach out to their friends, their families and their neighbors to make it a reality.

But more still needs to be done. The polls are currently in our favor, but polls are not reality. Just because someone says they will cast a vote for someone does not mean that come Election Day they actually turn in a ballot.

That's why we must ensure that every voice is heard, every ballot cast. We want not only California but also the nation to know that this state and our elections are not for sale, that we deserve better for our children, ourselves, our environment, our future. It is not a mandate if only one-quarter of the people who can vote, do vote. And this is a message that deserves to be a mandate.

Every time we connect with a voter face-to-face, it increases the likelihood that they will vote by 10 percent. And dropping ten door hangers is the equivalent.

We've been lucky to have good turnouts for our debate potluck watch parties and other events, including the So You Think You Can Vote table at the Paramount Theater during the So You Think You Can Dance auditions.

But we are kicking it up a few more notches in our big push to Get The Vote Out these final days.

This Sunday, we're hosting our very first Knocktoberfest: an afternoon of canvassing followed by an Oktoberfest-themed barbeque, including bratwurst and pretzels - lederhosen optional.

On Tuesday, we're throwing a trivia night. Come to phone back and stay for the Jerry Brown and California trivia. Prizes, including some sweet Jerry swag, will be awarded.

And on Wednesday, we will be hosting Boogie for Brown at Luka’s Tap Room in Oakland. Phonebank from 6-9 and then enjoy free salsa lessons and dancing afterward.

If you don't live near the Bay Area, you can still join in the statewide effort - visit my.jerrybrown.org to join a group near you, sign up for local efforts, and even plan an event of your own.

I hope to see you out there on the campaign trail during our final stretch!

Heather's volunteers hard at work at a post-debate phone bank in Oakland.

Alright guys, the deadline to vote has finally reached us. You have until the end of the day to send your registration forms in.

The process is uber-simple: Head to the Secretary of State's website. Fill out some basic information. Print, stick it in an envelope, and drop the whole thing in the mail. If it's easier, you can also visit your local post office and register in person.

If you're not sure if you're registered in California, Organizing for America has created a great tool. Visit Raise Your Vote to check your status and learn the different processes for registering and voting absentee.

Then, go ahead and set your Facebook status that you registered and remind all your friends to do the same. 

I can't stress how important it is to let your voice be heard in this election. California's next governor has an enormous task in front of them, and it's crucial we elect a candidate with a clear vision and proven experience. Please exercise your constitutional right and cast your ballot before or on November 2. But you won't be able to do so unless you ensure you're registered first. 

Now I'm getting off my soapbox so you can get yourself to the mailbox.

Guest post from Victoria Hassid, one of our newest staffers, who found a new reason to be inspired after coming on board with the campaign.

As a graduating law student last fall, I began to feel restless.

I had entered UC Davis with a reasonable tuition, during a good economy, and I was on track for a career in a prestigious field.

By the time I left I faced rising student fees, taking on larger student loans as I tried to figure out how I would get a job in a bad economy. There was no end in sight, and it felt like I had no control over the situation.

During the past year I often times felt saddened and frustrated by the situation in our state, including the increasingly expensive education system and the lack of optimism among Californians.

I realized I had to seize an opportunity to channel my frustration into something positive – by getting involved in Jerry Brown’s campaign for governor.

Since I started volunteering a few weeks ago, I have developed a sense of hope and pride that I haven’t felt in a long time. Jerry’s ideas and our campaign make me feel that California can get back on track. I know he has both the experience and the tools to make the changes we need and sort through the tough decisions our state faces as we navigate our way through the recession.

I know I am not alone in feeling frustrated. Every day I talk to supporters across the state who share in my frustration, and also my restlessness.

But they also share the feelings I have about Jerry: That he is the candidate who truly understands, and can solve, the complex problems facing California.

So many people want to help out with our efforts, but they either don’t know where to start. That’s why I’m so excited for Jerry’s Day of Action this weekend.

On Saturday, supporters will gather in locations all across the state to make sure come November 2, we have a governor who can get California back on track. We plan to hit the pavement by dialing up potential voters, registering everyone we can, and knocking on any and all doors to make sure that all of our friends and neighbors know what’s at stake in this election.

Donating a few hours of your time this Saturday can make all the difference for those who want a California that works. We need your help to elect a governor who generates jobs, works to improve schools, and cares about the environment. Find events in your area here.

eMeg may have money power, but we have something better—people power. And that’s precisely what we need to show in full force this weekend. It will only take a few hours to register voters, educate your neighbors about why Jerry is the right choice for governor, and meet fellow supporters where you live.

It’s time to take your concerns and frustrations and turn them into action. Money doesn’t make the difference. People make the difference. We look forward to seeing you at one of our Day of Action events.

Staffers at the office, from left: Colin, Christina, Nicole, and Victoria.

Have you visited the official Jerry Brown online store lately?

If not, take it from me, you're missing out on some stylin' Jerry gear. We've got shirts, buttons, caps, coffee cups, stickers, the works - all emblazoned with our signature campaign logo.

Want to show the checkout lady at Safeway how you plan to get California working again? Pack up your veggies in a Jerry Brown tote bag. Proud of our candidate's unyielding support for the LGBT community? A Jerry Brown rainbow sticker would be the perfect addition to your laptop.

I'm particularly fond of the Meg-a-Myths flip flops, fashionable for all seasons. And props to Kenneth, our t-shirt design contest winner; whose victorious apparel is also for sale in the store.

And here's the best part: For a limited time, because we love our supporters so much, we're offering a special discount. Simply enter the promo code BROWN2010 at checkout and you'll receive forty percent off your entire order.

Don't forget that all proceeds benefit the campaign efforts. So if you're stuck choosing between the black font on white shirt and the white font on black shirt, give yourself permission to go crazy...and buy both!

Today marks an exciting milestone in election-land: Vote-by-mail ballots were officially dropped in mailboxes throughout the state.

Voting by mail is easy; any resident can do it. Simply visit the Secretary of State's website and fill out the vote-by-mail application. Once it's processed, you'll receive your ballot in the mail and return it any time between now and November 2. You can also visit your polling station in person with your vote-by-mail ballot and hand it in on Election Day, saving you the hassle of waiting in line.

If you're like me, voting by mail will never compare to actually visiting the polls and getting that 'I voted!' sticker to wear proudly on that first Tuesday in November. Click here for a list of elections offices by county; each county has its own website, and most of the websites allow you to search for your polling place.

And, of course, October 18 is the big deadline for registering to vote. That's just twelve measly days from now, so if you haven't filled out your application yet, don't waste another minute. You can follow the easy steps online here, or pick it up at the library or post office. Contrary to what you may think, you don't need a California driver's license to register here; just a local address (I voted in 2008 using my Connecticut driver's license and a California address).

Be sure to visit our Facebook event page to RSVP to register to vote and share the news with your friends. The more we can convince to exercise their basic constitutional American right, the better. Here's to an election day rife with Jerry supporters!

Have you had a chance to check out my.jerrybrown.org?

It's a great website for any Jerry supporter, from those who want to organize phone-banks and house parties every weekend to those who simply want to stay connected to various efforts throughout the state.

Visit my.jerrybrown.org to get started.

From there, you can create your own profile, complete with choosing specific ways you want to help with the campaign. You can then join groups of other supporters in your area, sign up for events, and build your own personal fundraising page to raise money for Jerry.

If you're feeling industrious, you can also create your own groups and events. Right now, we have everything from Solar Supporters for Jerry to Writers for Jerry, and almost every county across California. My group, site feedback, is an easy way for other users to report any issues they encounter while exploring the network.

At the very least, it's a fun means to see who else is involved with our effort and what they have to say. Post a comment in the live comment stream, and everyone who visits the site will get your message.

Feeling stuck? Watch the video below to learn how to get started. And as always, thanks for everything you do to help us get California working again.

Guest post from Maggie who ran our official Jerry Brown t-shirt design contest:

We're excited to have gotten so many entries for Jerry's t-shirt design competition. The polls were close, but one clear winner came out on top...

Congratulations to Kevin Plottner!

Here's what Kevin had to say:

I'm honored. And thrilled! And I can't resist a contest.

I'm a Bay Area graphic designer (Some Inc.) and big admirer of straight-talking, budget-conscious Brown. The same Jerry Brown I witnessed flying coach (!) last year. Also a great fan of California, my adopted home. A regular guy with a wife, a daughter, and concerns about where this great state is headed. Willing to help, one t-shirt at a time!

You can buy your very own t-shirt affixed with Kevin's colorful design here at our online store. All proceeds go to the campaign efforts, so you'll be politically fashionable for a great cause.

Thanks to all of you who voted for your favorite, and be sure to come out and cast your ballot when the real race happens on November 2.

This week, the campaign rolled out a fun feature for supporters to use on Facebook.

If you want to help our effort using your social network, these tools are perfect for you. You can post a specific tab on your own profile that allows anyone who clicks on your page to donate to the cause directly. Click the 'Give Now' tab on Jerry's Facebook page and follow the instructions to get started.

We'll also be rolling out themed badges in the coming weeks. You can spread these badges to show your support, add them to your profile, and encourage your friends and family to contribute through a simple click of the badge.

Yesterday, we launched our first badge, Environmentalists for Brown, in conjunction with Jerry's visit to a solar plant in Newark where he condemned Proposition 23. Check it out on his profile and add it to your own if that's an important issue for you.

The more these tools spread, the better, so whether you add a tab to your page, post badges, or both, be sure to take advantage of Facebook's status and sharing functionality so your activity remains high in your friends' news feeds.

And, of course, if you have your own concept for a badge, leave a note on Jerry's fan page. Our campaign wouldn't be possible without the mosaic of ideas and energy from our support base.

Have you seen the new California Democratic Party website lately?

The statewide party has released a beautiful online resource for voters and volunteers to use to their advantage. The refreshed site allows users to search for their closest field office, sign up to help efforts in a variety of capacities, obtain information about ballot propositions, and register to vote.

eMeg may have her behemoth infrastructure and endless funding, but our combined effort represents the spirit of cooperation as we all rally together behind a cause we believe in. As staffer Felix put it, "We've abandoned traditional factionry in order to rely on our central resources." I'm not sure factionry is actually a word, but I'd choose unity over a series of powerhouses any day.

If you're looking to volunteer, going through the site is a great way to connect with your local party chapter. Check it out today and find out how you can join our amazing, multifaceted effort.