With Labor Day now behind us, we’re shifting into high gear to get people on the ground working to turn out the vote. In the coming weeks these ramped up efforts will take shape in various ways. Our top priority is canvassing, which is proven to be the most effective way to get people to the polls to vote for our candidates. If you’re new to this, it’s probably not what you think. We specifically choose the homes we visit–typically infrequent Democratic and unenrolled voters–and it’s often more about listening to their concerns than trying to twist arms for votes. These are people who often simply value the personal visit, and it can make all the difference in getting them to the polls.
We have been laying the groundwork for months to build a beefed-up canvassing effort with an army of folks to work in pairs and knock on doors, many of whom have never done it before. And we’re teaming up with state party field organizers, the candidates, our local Democratic committees and others to be strategic and direct that energy to parts of the county where it will most likely help us flip seats to Democrats and hold on to those we already have. Working together also means we avoid duplicating efforts and can reach more homes.
In addition to canvassing, thousands of handwritten postcards will be mailed next month to help get out the vote in Hancock County. And we’ll also be distributing hundreds of candidate lawn signs as well as installing a new series of large “Burma-Shave” style signs with unique, rhyming messages emphasizing why voters should vote for Democrats.
As we connect with voters in the coming weeks, we’ll also be using the opportunity to circulate petitions in the revived effort to get a universal healthcare issue on the ballot next year. When we knock on doors, healthcare is often the number one issue Mainers say they worry about. If we get 67,682 signatures on the petitions by next April, Mainers will be able to vote for the creation of a statewide universal healthcare plan that would be the first in the country. Let’s lead the way nationally toward a better system.
As for our prospects as we head toward November, there’s encouraging news about young voters. A recent survey by Navigator Research found that 31 percent of Gen Z voters who supported Trump two years ago now say they regret that vote. That sentiment was echoed by 28 percent of Millennials and 20 percent of Gen X voters who backed Trump. And the survey reflected an apparent erosion of support among Baby Boomers too–10 percent of those who voted for Trump said they regretted it. We expect that recognition of the damage the GOP agenda is inflicting on young generations will significantly bolster votes for Democrats this year. We’re seeing it in the energy of young people enlisted by the Maine Democratic Party to be field organizers in our region and county, and by the activities of the young interns who’ve been working with us this summer and who will continue into the fall. We’re planning to invest more into outreach to young people in the county to help us assure that policies locally, in the state and in Washington, DC make their futures a priority.
But no matter your age, any bit of time you are able to share in our efforts will help us succeed on Nov. 3. On Nov. 4, it will be too late to wonder what difference you might have made. You can have that impact now. Contact us and we’ll find a task that fits with your time and interests. Together, all these drops of time from each of us will create the Blue Wave to improve the course of our politics and our lives.
Join us!
Marcia Myers, HCDC Chair