This diary is meant to be an “openish-thread” for us canvassers to share our favorite stories from the 2018 canvass — any issue, any state, any election.
I love/hate canvassing. I get knots in my stomach every time I knock on a door. But it’s worth it. Knowing that, win or lose, some of those votes are mine — there’s no better feeling. Wanna vote often as well as early? Canvassing’s the way to do it. Once you’ve pulled someone out and gotten them in line at the polls 5 minutes before closing, there’s no going back.
It’s better than phonebanking. Phonebanking, particularly out of state, is growing increasingly problematic. (That’s another diary, but I pretty much have sworn off phonebanking since 2016.) When I canvass, even with a no answer/refusal, at least I get to drop literature and encourage people to vote. I hate waiting for those machine dialers to connect me with someone, and I hate knowing that when they pick up and say “Hello?” I don’t hear them and what they’re hearing is that awful Pregnant Pause that means this is a political or “solicitation” call. (*Yes, I know this Isn’t Really Solicitation. The people I’m calling don’t know that.) And somehow, people seem to me (on average) friendlier at the door than on the phone. Plus, it’s good exercise!
So as long as I can, I will continue to canvass. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have my voice and my feet and my body.
So this is a chance for us canvassers to share our stories. I’ve titled this “Favorite Stories” but they can be good or bad or frustrating or whatever you want.
Here’s mine from the 2018 canvass.
I live in CA, but went to Reno/Carson for the up-to-polls-closing canvass to help out SENATOR-ELECT Jacky Rosen. (I like how that rolls off the keyboard. I also would up walking for GOVERNOR-ELECT Sisolak and Congressional Candidate Clint Koble, a good guy who unfortunately lost.) A lot of folks did this from the SF Bay Area, and I understand a HUGE number also came from SoCal to Vegas and environs. (Huge props also to CWU Local 226 for their heavy lifting… yea team! Union YES!)
So the morning of election day, I was out knocking doors and came to a 3-voter door with one brand-new registrant. She was the one who answered and spoke to me, a young woman who may have been 18-19 years old. I launched into my rap. Personally, on Election Day I don’t do a careful pre-screen to make sure I’m only talking to my supporters. My opening line is “Today’s election day and I’m hoping you’ll get out to vote, happy to answer any questions you might have.” After that I start my “screening” for supporters.
So this young woman said, “Oh yes, I’m definitely planning to vote tomorrow.”
Long story short, we fixed that up. I told her today was the last day, and where to go, and what the best times were (shortest lines and all that). Gave her the lit and the slate card, the voter assistance hotline numbers, etc. This was midmorning, and she said she’d go right after her breakfast, and get her brother to go too, once he was out of bed :).
So I was able to save her some serious disappointment on her first outing as a voter. She’d have turned up the day after and found out she’d missed her chance. Because someone was out there knocking on doors, she got to vote, and so did her brother. And hopefully began a habit of voting for life.
OK, that’s my Canvass 2018 story. What’s yours? Highlights, lowlights, funny, sad, infuriating, inspiring. You needn’t limit yourself to one, if you have more. The comments section is yours!