Volunteering and Concrete Actions 2020

[Satan'sFortress]

What are the best ways to dig in and really help get votes out in the 2020 election?

I live in Delaware, home of Joe Biden, and solid  blue state. But, I live near  the crucial state of Pennsylvania.  I desperately want to help get Trump out, except the only thing I see requests for is to make calls, which I don't want  to do. I hate getting those calls and don't want to make them. 

Curious to know what any of you are doing, and/or you feelings on those call banks. 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Coconut Flan

[dawbs]

https://postcardstovoters.org/
I'venot gotten as many out as I'd like

[Natalie22]

Not an American, but from my understanding of your government system, the only way the president can get their agenda done is by having support in both the house and the senate.  Are there any red house races close by that you can help support?  Also the right wing has made a lot of headway by focusing on more local races.  Look at close races at the state level and the local level.  Things like school board trustees are way more important than you'd think and often are decided by a small number of votes.  Those in charge of the school board can have a big say in the curriculum kids learn and how supportive schools are of minorities (including those in the lgbt community) Your support in those races can have huge impacts.

[milkteeth]

5 hours ago, Satan'sFortress said:

What are the best ways to dig in and really help get votes out in the 2020 election?

I live in Delaware, home of Joe Biden, and solid  blue state. But, I live near  the crucial state of Pennsylvania.  I desperately want to help get Trump out, except the only thing I see requests for is to make calls, which I don't want  to do. I hate getting those calls and don't want to make them. 

Curious to know what any of you are doing, and/or you feelings on those call banks. 

 

As someone who has volunteered for dozens of political campaigns, and has probably made thousands of these calls I can tell you one thing: It gets easier. The vast majority of people don't answer their phone, and many of the people who do will just hang up on you once you tell them you're calling from a political campaign. That's why this whole thing is a numbers game. 

Every campaign I've worked on has given me an information cheat sheet that also includes scripting of what to say to people who do want to engage with you. Most of the calls you will make are get out the vote calls, so that people double check that they're still on the voter rolls, know where their polling place is and when Election Day is. You'd be surprised by how many people will tell you that they don't know these things. Considering all of the states who will have increased voting by mail this election, I'm sure many of the calls you will be making will be telling people all of the regulations they need to follow to ensure that their vote is counted.

Campaigns also tell you to disengage with a caller if they aren't interested in supporting your candidate/cause and if they are hostile as quickly as possible. It's as easy as "Oh okay, well thank you for your time and have a nice day :click:". Having someone yell at you over the phone isn't fun (well at least at first, I began to find it funny after a while but that's just me) but after the first few times it happens it isn't really a big deal. Most people who do engage with you are perfectly friendly and some are even grateful that you've called. I have actually had some very profound and moving conversations with strangers all over the country making these calls.

One thing they don't tell you about making these calls is that even though it can be difficult (the first few especially), it can also be very personally rewarding. Or at least, I've found that it is. If you are a person of conscience it is easy to feel completely overwhelmed by all of the terrible things that are happening in the world and fall in to despair. I've found that volunteering is a way to break that alienation and feel like a better world is possible.

 

 

[GreyhoundFan]

You could volunteer with Swing Left.

[front hugs > duggs]

I personally get anxiety making calls, but I've been working with Florida Dems on doing a texting bank! You do it from your computer in your own house, and the number is never your own actual phone number.  Vote Save America has information on Adopt a State here: https://votesaveamerica.com/adopt-a-state/ They are working with the six biggest swing states, and you can be out of state to help volunteer! This is my first time ever participating in an election in this capacity, but it's been fun and easy so far!

[dawbs]

12 hours ago, dawbs said:

https://postcardstovoters.org/
I'venot gotten as many out as I'd like

(Like this: 

 

[Satan'sFortress]

Awesome suggestions--I will be investigating all.

 

@milkteeth thanks for your perspective.  I actually used to make calls many years ago (my dad was a local politician). You are probably right, and if I can just get myself started, I will be OK.  I can't do nothing.

[Smash!]

I‘ve heard they‘re desperately looking for poll workers on election day since many of those volunteers are older and fall into the high risk category due to Covid.

[mamallama]

I signed up!

[AnywhereButHere]

This year, my husband is sending letters and postcards to voters. With the thing he’s doing, they have to be handwritten, so I’m out. I either block print like a five year old, or it’s illegible. I may do the texting bank thing again though. 

Four years ago my husband and I sent texts. 
 

For Obama’s first election, we knocked on doors. That was, well, interesting. We went to PA, since NY was not going to be an issue. We met:

1. A very sleepy, mellow guy who took forever to open his door. There were very large, roach type bugs crawling all over the door frame, and when he finally opened the door, he picked one out of my hair. Ugh. Unsurprisingly, the house smelled strongly of pot. ?

2. A very large man in a very small pair of sweatpants and crop top holding a chihuahua. He had dirty, bare feet and a wild mop of hair and a 70s pornstache going on. He invited us in for coffee. We did not take him up on it.  

3. A very cranky man, fixing his motorcycle who yelled at us to get the hell out of his yard. No coffee (or weed) was offered. He could’ve used the weed.

4. A house with no people but occupied by a demon cat who guarded the porch. 

The text banks and letter campaigns are great, and as @Smash! said, a lot of towns are short on poll workers this year. I may look into that this year!

[Satan'sFortress]

I ordered my postcards today. I also shared all of the ideas here with my family----many who were looking for actions too. My 80 year old parents, meanwhile, are very involved in their local Democrat group & have been doing protest marches & BLM rallies. 

I think I should make calls, too.