I had paid attention to politics much earlier than others—I cut my teeth on the Clinton impeachment at the tender age of 11--but I was 20 years old before I started pounding pavement. I was a field organizing out-of-state intern with Hillary for President in 2008.
It's almost hard to believe, but in 2008, most of the people the Clinton campaign was trying to reach looked like today's Trump voters. Our targets were the older, the whiter, the less-educated Democrats, the "Bubbas" and their families that had voted for the Big Dog. The 2008 primary contest between Hillary and Barack was a competition based not so much upon the policy or character or personality of the candidates; it was a contest for which coalition would lead the Democratic Party. For our team, that meant often tolerating some less-than-savory constituents. One of the great occurrences of the Obama Presidency has been the Democratic Party's liberation from the Democrats who could never vote for "that n*****," and I think we should all be grateful for the basket being bound to the GOP. But I digress.
Field organizing for Hillary in the blood red reaches of the Midwest meant talking to the infirm about the mandate in Hillary's healthcare plan. It meant going to retirement homes and hospices to help with voter registration address updates. It meant walking door to door in the suburbs to motivate the Democrats there.
How things change. In 2012, I stayed close to home, working as a campaign rep for a state House campaign in Tampa Bay. As much as the Florida Democratic Party tends to operate similarly to a republican party might in a very blue state (see former Republicans Charlie Crist and Patrick Murphy for reference), in such a polarized electorate every election is a base election, even--or especially--in swingy Florida. For better or worse, the Obama coalition of educated, liberal, "creative class" whites and people of color are the engine of a modern Democratic campaign. The Bubbas went completed their transition into the Republican tank; a migration that began in the Goldwater era.
In 2012, the Democrats successfully focused on the Latino and Black communities to push Obama to a 0.1% victory in the district, but the state House campaign fell about 1.5% short.
This year, I am working full-time as a canvass organizer with a non-partisan non-profit that focuses on historically underrepresented constituencies, in particular communities of color. Soon we will hit the deadline for registrations, and I am working 12-hour shifts until the last hour. But in the interest of furthering the cause and success of American small-d democracy, I wanted to share with fellow Kossacks, my political community of choice, all I've learned since April about successfully canvassing to register new voters.
NUMBER ONE: talk to absolutely everyone. Canvassing is much like sales, where a good lead is a heartbeat and a credit card; here, a good lead is a heartbeat and an SSN. The truth is that nearly everyone has some purpose to fill out a registration form, be it a new registration, a record update, or just to receive a new voter card. Which segues us nicely to...
NUMBER TWO: cover every angle. Almost everyone needs to fill out a form sometime this year, and few realize that lagging records and insufficient identification can lead to a provisional ballot or, worse, being sent home.
Particularly in impoverished communities of all colors, if your state issues a voter information card, this is a FREE form of identification and proof of address that comes in the mail. If a person starts a new job, applies for government benefits, or any number of uses, this FREE card goes directly to their home or PO box. Stress the good that you can do for these people.
NUMBER THREE: locate where the people who need help are and go to them. Too many canvassers, especially those of privilege, don't even consider the right areas. I have had canvassers ask me if it will "always be like this, going to run-down neighborhoods." This canvasser also mentioned working in a mall.
If you spend time at these locations, you will find a vanishingly small number of people who need your assistance and a large number of conservatives. Forget the farmer's market, the art fairs, the fall festivals. I even encourage you to stay away from college campuses, which by and large will be inundated with paid workers and college Democrats.
NUMBER FOUR: focus on the quality of your registrations and not just the number. If you're volunteering to canvass and do voter registration, find the people who wouldn't be involved without your intervention. In the Bible, Jesus walked among the prostitutes and thieves; good political work operates on a similar basis. Get a pack of cold water bottles (or even Newports) and go talk to the people in an urban park or bus station. There are some professionals who take pride in registering dozens and hundreds of college students. I prefer to take pride in getting people involved who would never be without intervention. And more importantly, doing this work among these people will give you true insight into the lives of the most vulnerable among us.
NUMBER FIVE: always stay safe. If you are a female particularly, be aware of your surroundings. Carry a cell phone. Work in public spaces in broad daylight. Make sure at least one person knows where you are and when you'll be back. Listen to your gut when you think danger is near. No amount of political work is worth more than your wellbeing.
I hope this is instructive and helpful for everyone. Time for me to get back to work.
HAPPY HUNTING!