#phonebanking

One of the other volunteers turned her camera on she was an absolute goddess, istg-

I only managed a few calls before I had to leave for a pre-planned engagement, and I'm still a bit uncomfortable with the process, but it feels a lot less daunting now.

I plan to make more calls today, and every day through Election Day (or until there are no more people to call).

If you volunteer, SHARE THAT. You inspire interest and engagement. People may ask you how they can volunteer.

We asked where we were needed most this weekend for our final phonebank and were told Michigan is it, so we’re calling registered democrats to Get Out the Vote there from 1-3pm eastern tomorrow, Saturday, November 2!

There will be games, prizes and some fabulous guests!

do you love talking to people? do you excel at speaking to people off the cuff, on the spot, under a moderate amount of pressure? do you do your best work in person, face-to-face, or at community events? i can't relate but i respect your hustle so much. you are doing what i cannot!

phone banking is a great option if you don't mind (or even enjoy) talking on the phone. i personally find it very stressful but i have friends who love it because they get to speak directly with members of the community and have real, human conversations with them.

how it works: your organizer will help set you up on a platform with a google voice number or autogenerated phone number, give you a script, and turn you loose with an auto dialer to make the calls. as with textbanking, you'll probably also get a list of canned responses related to policy, issues, other relevant info, etc. to refer to in your phone conversations. phone bank for democrats in ...

Florida

Montana

Nevada

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Presidental election

Mobilize has tons more phonebanking events as well!

knocking doors is exactly what it sounds like. i have not done this myself, but if you live in an area where you feel safe walking around and talking to unfamiliar people and want to connect with members of your community, this could be a great option for you!

how it works: your organization will give you a training if you're new at canvassing and will provide you with any materials (flyers, cards, stickers, etc.) you might need. you will also get a script with talking points and canned responses you can use with voters.

Mobilize is once again a great hub for in-person volunteer opportunities.

be sure to look for local door-knocking events! many smaller grassroots campaigns use this method of canvassing to make themselves known and communicate directly with their communities.

target lists for canvassing are generally made up of registered voters or voters who are likely to support your cause, so there is a lower likelihood of confrontation or aggression.

many events recommend showing up with comfy shoes, sunscreen, water, and a mask!

voter registration events: have clipboard, will travel! i haven't done this myself, but i have had some genuinely nice conversations with canvassers on the street.

how it works: your organizer will supply you with a brief training, a clipboard, forms, pens, flyers, etc., and send you out to "hot spots" like college campuses, grocery stores, parks, or city centers. you will also likely get a script with talking points and candidate/policy information.

Mobilize has a huge list of voter registration events all over the nation!

many of the events i've seen encourage wearing liberal/leftist t-shirts, hats, pins, etc., to enhance approachability! sunscreen and water are also highly encouraged, and a mask is probably a good idea too!

bring a friend if you don't want to go alone!

become a poll worker. i'm doing this for the first time for my state primary in september and i'm honestly kind of nervous but i think it'll be a good experience! of course, working the polls doesn't support one candidate over another, but poll volunteers are crucial to keeping elections free and fair!

how it works: sign up through your town or city's website (i literally googled "become [city] poll worker" and found the link). you'll do at least one training session and get assigned a role on election day.

some states do pay you for your time working and training, but it may differ from state to state. this handbook from the US Election Assistance Commission should be able to tell you about payment in your state -- i just ctrl+f "compensation" and comb through.

All Voting is Local has a handy guide for first-time poll workers! (their compensation link is broken though)