On Canvassing

Emily Stone: "I canvassed for Sean Casten earlier this summer. He's only the second candidate I've canvassed for -- the first one being Obama, ten years ago. So I was feeling a bit rusty. But I set out with my clipboard and it only took a couple doors for me to feel comfortable again. My interactions ranged from very warm and encouraging conversations about how much residents like Casten to short, neutral exchanges with people who didn't really have an opinion yet. No one was the least bit angry or mean.

Afterwards I felt incredibly energized. It felt great to get out and do something useful instead of just sitting at home fretting. I hope I convinced some of his supporters to start volunteering themselves and perhaps planted the seed for others who will now look into Sean's platform.

My advice would be to bring some water and sunscreen with you. And just start ringing bells. It's scary for about 2 minutes, but then it's great and very rewarding.

Neil Parker: "While canvassing in Wheaton meant a long drive and a ton of walking (bet it was at least 3 miles, back and forth, in a sub-division), I’m certain these targeted visits are important. Many of the folks I talked to, especially once I identified myself as a volunteer, expressed appreciation for the effort. The conversations were short, but reasonably substantive, around real issues — healthcare, immigration, women/family issues, taxes and the economy. I sense that the value is that we are demonstrating to folks that there’s a real organized effort to bring change to the 6th District.”

Alicia Senior-Saywell: “I canvassed for the first time last week with a friend, and we were both amazed at how easily we got the hang of it. We started off in pairs for comfort, but by the end were taking on houses individually with great comfort .... and more importantly, great results that surpassed both our expectations!

“Everyone was really nice - nicer than we thought. Those that didn’t want to talk were easy to spot, and nice in their refusals; I was able to leave the paperwork and move on easily. But more to the point, most were very sympathetic to our ‘pitch’, were uninformed about their rep’s stance and fired up to push back once we left. Insanely satisfying.

“Most of the people I spoke with were solid Dems and just needed a little extra push to vote ... just a few lines of info on their local Rep’s voting record truly felt like enough to get them to the polling place next election. Insanely satisfying to think that because of a few hours of work on my part 10 people will vote against a GOP Rep, who would not have voted otherwise, and another 10 know more about their Rep’s disastrous voting record than they would have had I stayed home. How’s that for making a difference in one afternoon?”

Mike Lenehan: “I’m not real outgoing with strangers and I don’t like people coming to my door, so I wish I could be satisfied posting social media, signing petitions, going to an occasional march…but I take the political pros at their word when they say the way to win elections is to knock on doors. And I am determined to do all I can to win in the 2018 midterms. So I force myself to step out of my zone, and I’m always glad I did. And each time I do it I find it easier and more satisfying.

“Canvassing with the Coalition for a Better Illinois 6th was a great way to get into it. You’re not trying to change people’s minds, you're listening to their concerns and identifying which people we should go back to as election day approaches. Thus far the Coalition has been sending us to voters who are likely to have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 but did not vote in the 2014 midterms—the theory being if we can get these people to vote for the Democratic candidate in 2018, we can swing the district. It’s a sound strategy, I think, and the Coalition’s walk lists are quite accurate. Some people don’t want to talk, and I’ve had a door slammed in my face, but when I do get to talk to people they are always our allies on the issues. Come with us next time! Everyone who has done it has been glad they did.”

Elizabeth Chandler: “Enjoyed work out in Downer's Grove and Lyle, because not a single person we spoke with knew anything about Roskam or the upcoming election. We felt we could really make a difference in this blue-ish region.”

Julie Harrison: “Well, I did it: drove to Glen Ellyn and canvassed. The two people running the event were terrific — Reid McCollum and Patrick Watson. They were well organized and gave a good presentation on best canvassing practices. They emphasized the value of early voting and mail-in, proposing that those methods have a better follow-through rate. They provided pretty good handouts on Roskam and voting. Also a good simple script and an easy tally sheet. The orientation took longer than had been scheduled; I arrived at 9 and my partner and I went out around 11. We worked until 2 (which included a small lunch break). We did not make it to every door on our list but future orientations will not last as long as ours did. Patrick and Reid were thankful for whatever we could do.

“We were sent out with a partner so that we could work opposite sides of the street. We immediately lost track of each other but then regrouped and shared phone numbers.

"The plan was to ask those who answered the door what issues were most important to them and then if appropriate pick one of those issues and inform them of Roskam's position. Then ask them to call Roskam's office and let him know their concerns.

“Next we informed them that the Illinois primary is March 20th; ask if they planned to vote by mail; and finally asked if they would like to volunteer.

“We had good maps but — whoa — the houses are much farther apart out there!!

"I don't know how many doors I knocked on but I am guessing there were 25 or so of us knocking.

“Those who answered were friendly—or polite—even the one person who said he wanted the government out of everything. I really did enjoy talking with the people who came to the door.

"The day was glorious, the neighborhood and yards gorgeous. So in addition to opening a few conversations, passing out literature, and doing housekeeping on the lists, we had some lovely, easy exercise. At the outset we were told we need not go anywhere we felt uncomfortable (which was never).

“I think it is worthwhile and will do again when I can.”

And Julie has been out several times since then. Don't let her do all the work--come out and give her a hand!