As Election Day nears, all kinds of minority groups are stepping up their efforts to make sure their members are ready to cast their votes. Among other activities, these groups will run registration drives and provide educational information about the candidates.

For the 2008 election the Arab American Institute has launched its “Yalla Vote” campaign to get its community more involved in the political process. Field organizers from across the country are talking with local groups and encouraging them to sign a petition calling on both presidential candidates to address issues that matter to the Arab American community.

You can follow the field organizers’ experiences by checking out their Yalla Vote Blog. The blog provides first hand accounts of running a petition drive and provides practical tips that can help others conducting similar activities in the United States or even in other countries. Got any tips of your own? Share them in the comments section.