Election season is full of surprises. As a registered (but essentially skeptical) Democrat and former campaign worker, I'm used to seeing odd, sometimes aggressive or misleading messaging strategies and get-out-the-vote tactics.

Still, imagine my surprise to open my mailbox on Wednesday night to this bizarre, hostile letter from the New York State Democratic Committee, the very people I'm supposed to be voting for on November 4:

Dear Thomas:

Our records indicate that you are registered in New York County. Who you vote for is your secret. But whether or not you vote is public record. Many organizations monitor turnout in your neighborhood and are disappointed by the inconsistent voting of many of your neighbors. [...]

We will be reviewing the New York County official voting records after the upcoming election to determine whether you joined your neighbors who voted in 2014. If you do note vote this year, we will be interested to hear why not.

In other words, do not disappoint us. "Many organizations" will be monitoring your voting habits, like your nosy neighbors and the mafia.