# What does the acronym ACORN stand for? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 12, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634 "2008-10-12T21:24:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/101 "2008-10-17T04:24:11Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Round here, there are multiple places where one can register to vote–the DMV, the library, the village hall, the county courthouse, and etc. > > Somehow, I don’t think one guy could go to the Carol Stream Library and register 73 times. Why can that guy go to ACORN and do it? From what I can tell, either it’s one lazy employee who needs to meet his quota and copies the registration information multiple times, or multiple incompotent employees who fail to report that this neighborhood or home has been checked already. But this seems like a hi-jack. The original thread was about people’s impressions on whether or not the orginization as a whole is responsible for voter fraud. What does that have to do with individual employees and why they screwed up? Or are you just switching tracks because you don’t want to admit you were wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/102 "2008-10-17T04:28:34Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Round here, there are multiple places where one can register to vote–the DMV, the library, the village hall, the county courthouse, and etc. > > Somehow, I don’t think one guy could go to the Carol Stream Library and register 73 times. Why can that guy go to ACORN and do it? There is no “guy” registering with ACORN 73 times. There likely is a lazy/incompetent ACORN worker who is not doing his job, and filling in multiple registrations himself. These registrations must then BY LAW be turned in by ACORN , who flag them as “suspicious” to the authorities. The authorities then know that they should not believe these registrations because ACORN THEMSELVES told them they were not good. ACORN then fires the useless/lazy idiot who was working for them. All organizations get their share of lazy incompetent workers. Good thing ACORN was on the ball, and notified the proper authorities eh? Pat on the back time for them. So, please confirm you have read and comprehended this, or I will be convinced you are a bot. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/103 "2008-10-17T04:30:56Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Round here, there are multiple places where one can register to vote–the DMV, the library, the village hall, the county courthouse, and etc. > > Somehow, I don’t think one guy could go to the Carol Stream Library and register 73 times. Why can that guy go to ACORN and do it? What would there be to stop him? He asks someone behind the desk for the registration form, fills it out, and turns it in. Later he does it again. If he gets challenged, all he has to say is that he wants to change the party affiliation, or correct his ZIP code, or whatever occurs to him. If he doesn’t get challenged, he doesn’t get challenged. Either way, any form he submits at the library gets forwarded to the registrar. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/104 "2008-10-17T04:54:10Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There is no “guy” registering with ACORN 73 times. Yes there is, and he did it for smokes and dollars. [http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1223973289273860.xml&coll=2](http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1223973289273860.xml&coll=2) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/105 "2008-10-17T04:54:35Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > …These registrations must then BY LAW be turned in by ACORN , who flag them as “suspicious” to the authorities… Wait a sec! You mean that ACORN is \*required \*by law to submit these registrations regardless? Why didn’t anybody ever mention this? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/106 "2008-10-17T04:58:53Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What would there be to stop him? He asks someone behind the desk for the registration form, fills it out, and turns it in. Later he does it again. If he gets challenged, all he has to say is that he wants to change the party affiliation, or correct his ZIP code, or whatever occurs to him. If he doesn’t get challenged, he doesn’t get challenged. Either way, any form he submits at the library gets forwarded to the registrar. You have to prove who you are (hence, no registrations for Mickey Mouse), and that you live in the precinct (hence, no Tony Romo registrations in Ohio). If the lowly Carol Stream Library can manage it, why can’t ACORN, other than they don’t even try? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/107 "2008-10-17T05:06:38Z")
Perhaps it is only morbid curiosity, but can you supply us with an inventory of the books in the\*\* Carol Stream\*\* Library? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/108 "2008-10-17T11:54:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Perhaps it is only morbid curiosity, but can you supply us with an inventory of the books in the\*\* Carol Stream\*\* Library? They’re all by Ayn Rand. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/109 "2008-10-17T12:17:16Z")
Years ago, I discovered the ACORN website and have visited it periodically since. I admire their efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/110 "2008-10-17T13:28:54Z")
> [@Carol Stream](#): > > You have to prove who you are (hence, no registrations for Mickey Mouse), and that you live in the precinct (hence, no Tony Romo registrations in Ohio). If the lowly Carol Stream Library can manage it, why can’t ACORN, other than they don’t even try? What makes you so sure that the Carol Stream Library can manage it? For instance, what does the Carol Stream Library do when somebody registering to vote fills out and turns in multiple registration cards, given that the Library _ **IS LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO SUBMIT TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS EVERY REGISTRATION CARD THAT THEY RECEIVE?** _ How does the efficient and incorruptible Carol Stream library avoid submitting bogus voter registration cards in that situation? By _ **ILLEGALLY** _ tossing the invalid cards in the trash? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/111 "2008-10-17T14:47:46Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Perhaps it is only morbid curiosity, but can you supply us with an inventory of the books in the\*\* Carol Stream\*\* Library? While not the largest library in the Western Suburbs, the Village of Carol Stream has a nice selection of the books you’d expect to find in a library. Our friend **Carol** may limit the books she withdraws from her local library, but that is no reflection on the library. You may search the stacks here: [http://www.cslibrary.org/](http://www.cslibrary.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/112 "2008-10-17T16:55:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Wait a sec! You mean that ACORN is \*required \*by law to submit these registrations regardless? Why didn’t anybody ever mention this? What? You mean to tell me that ACORN was obligated by legal statute to give over these bogus registrations? The ones that **Carol Stream** is referring to? Hold the phone! Has anyone told **Carol Stream** this? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/113 "2008-10-17T17:17:26Z")
I wonder how much Obama paid ACORN to register William Ayers multiple times to vote for Raila Odinga’s party. Enquiring minds want to know! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/114 "2008-10-17T17:39:16Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > While not the largest library in the Western Suburbs, the Village of Carol Stream has a nice selection of the books you’d expect to find in a library. Our friend **Carol** may limit the books she withdraws from her local library, but that is no reflection on the library. > > You may search the stacks here: [http://www.cslibrary.org/](http://www.cslibrary.org/) :smack: I keep forgetting that Carol Stream is actually a suburb of Chicago and not exclusively a stupid right-wing git. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/115 "2008-10-17T18:13:18Z")
Maybe not the best thread to bring this up, but I heard a rumor that ACORN was obligated by law to submit all registrations. Can this be true?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/116 "2008-10-17T18:31:20Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Maybe not the best thread to bring this up, but I heard a rumor that ACORN was obligated by law to submit all registrations. Can this be true?!?! I doubt it. If it was true, I am sure someone would have mentioned it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/117 "2008-10-17T18:35:27Z")
Oh, god…see what you’ve done, **Carol**?! Another Doper meme is born! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/118 "2008-10-19T00:48:06Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What? You mean to tell me that ACORN was obligated by legal statute to give over these bogus registrations? The ones that **Carol Stream** is referring to? > > Hold the phone! Has anyone told **Carol Stream** this? Yes, I know that ACORN is obligated to turn over bogus registrations. The question I have, which has NOT been answered, is why they take bogus registrations in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/119 "2008-10-19T00:49:51Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Yes, I know that ACORN is obligated to turn over bogus registrations. _gasp_ You KNEW? Why did you keep this from us?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634/120 "2008-10-19T00:52:15Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > _gasp_ You KNEW? Why did you keep this from us?!?! Fuck off, you stupid bitch, and answer the question. Why do they take bogus registrations? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-acronym-acorn-stand-for/467634.md?page=7)