Our New Home in Rural Michigan
We moved to a rural county in Northeast lower Michigan in 2019 after living our working lives in the busy metro Detroit area. Our new home is in a county that voted about 60-40 for Trump in the 2020 election. It was quite a change for us.
Getting Involved with the Local Democratic Party
One of the first things we did was join and donate to the county Democratic Party. We wanted to support our values, but at first, we weren’t very active. We put up yard signs to show our support, but that was about it.
Taking Action: Volunteering for a Local Candidate
Last month, we decided to attend a meeting and ended up volunteering to canvass for our local township supervisor candidate. She is a retired teacher, which we found inspiring. She gave us flyers and a list of about 50 addresses to visit.
Our First Experience Canvassing
Today was a nice day, so we decided to spend an hour or so canvassing. We were a bit nervous since it was our first time doing this. We chose to skip houses with Trump signs because we felt they wouldn’t be open to our message.
Connecting with Voters
During our hour of canvassing, we talked with voters at seven addresses, reaching ten or eleven people in total. We left flyers at five homes where no one was home, and we avoided five homes with MAGA signs.
Positive Responses from the Community
What surprised us was that none of the voters we spoke with had political signs in their yards, yet all of them supported Harris/Walz and our township supervisor candidate. Two people even asked for signs to show their support!
The Importance of Showing Up
We noticed that the people we talked to appreciated us just for showing up. The current supervisor hasn’t been doing that, assuming he will win easily. But maybe he’s wrong.
Continuing Our Efforts
We plan to go out again tomorrow and the day after until we finish our list. Now that we’ve done it once, it’s not as scary. We might not make a huge difference, but it feels good to be active and involved.
FAQs
1. What is canvassing in the context of political campaigns?
Canvassing refers to the practice of knocking on doors or meeting with voters in their neighborhoods to engage them in political discussions, gather information, and encourage them to vote.
2. What were the main observations from the recent canvassing efforts?
The recent canvassing efforts highlighted several key observations, including increased voter enthusiasm, a strong desire for change, and a significant number of undecided voters.
3. How did voter enthusiasm vary across different demographics?
Voter enthusiasm was observed to be higher among younger voters and those from diverse backgrounds. However, there were also notable pockets of enthusiasm among older voters who were motivated by specific issues.
4. What issues were most commonly discussed during the canvassing sessions?
The most commonly discussed issues included healthcare, economic stability, climate change, and social justice. These topics were frequently linked to the upcoming elections and the candidates’ stances on these issues.
5. How did the canvassers find undecided voters?
Undecided voters were often found in areas with high population density or in neighborhoods where there was a lack of clear information about the candidates. Canvassers reported that many undecided voters were open to listening and were influenced by personal interactions.
6. What strategies were used to engage voters effectively?
Effective engagement strategies included personalized conversations, providing clear information about candidates’ policies, and addressing specific concerns raised by voters. Additionally, many canvassers used visual aids like flyers and brochures to help voters remember key points.
7. Were there any notable differences in voter attitudes between urban and rural areas?
Voter attitudes varied between urban and rural areas. Urban areas showed a stronger inclination towards progressive policies, while rural areas were more conservative but still expressed a desire for change. Rural voters often cited economic concerns as their primary issue.
8. How did the canvassers handle objections or negative reactions from voters?
Canvassers were trained to handle objections and negative reactions professionally. They listened actively to concerns, provided factual information, and avoided confrontations. Many reported that by listening empathetically, they were able to turn some negative reactions into positive interactions.
9. What role did social media play in the canvassing efforts?
Social media played a significant role in the canvassing efforts by providing additional channels for engagement and information dissemination. Canvassers used social media platforms to share updates, respond to questions, and mobilize support among online communities.
10. What are the implications of these findings for future elections?
The findings suggest that future elections will need to focus on personal connections with voters and addressing specific local concerns. Campaigns should also invest in targeted outreach programs aimed at undecided voters and those from underrepresented groups.
