Here's How To Get Out the Vote the Last Weekend Before Midterms

By Lily Herman


Millions of people across the nation have been hard at work for the past a few many years hoping to change the political tide in this nation. And right now, hours of conversations, activism, and organizing all come down to the key last few days on the campaign trail convincing voters to head to the polls.


Not sure if there’s much you could do this late in the game to get out the vote? The last weekend before Election Day is essential for ensuring democracy is alive and well on Tuesday. Here’s what you could do to create ensure each person is exercising their right to vote and picking the representatives they want.


Talk to Your Network


do you think for sure if your family are voting? What about your companions? How about any co-workers? Have they double-checked if they’re registered to vote? Do they know where their polling places are? Do they have transportation to and from wherever they’re casting their votes? Have they checked out a sample ballot for their district? Do they know all the down-ballot candidates and ballot initiatives?


Don’t trust that each person has their Election Day plan figured out. Take initiative and converse with your companions, family member, and co-workers. “Nothing beats the old fashioned face to face contact especially as soon as folks are hiding digital ads on FB and fast forwarding through TV ads,” says Atima Omara, Founder and President of Omara Plan of action Group.


If the people in your personalized network don’t know who or what they’re voting for on Election Day, they can use good resources like BallotReady to be able to see every race that will appear on their ballot, discover the candidates and their views on major issues, and learn about the other ballot measures that they’ll be voting on.


Phone Bank


Whether you reside in a swing district or an area without a competitive race, phone banking permits people in all parts of the nation to connect with voters. It’s especially key to have a fast check-in with voters to create ensure they’re heading to the polls come Tuesday.


For those who live outdoors of key districts, several campaigns have remote phone banking operations to permit supporters to phone bank from anywhere in the nation and reach out to get out vote. In the event if you've questions, campaigns often list their upcoming phone banking sessions on their websites (if not, you could typically email a campaign for more info). Furthermore, several local political groups across the nation organize their own phone banking sessions for competitive races and distribute call sheets with names and phone numbers of voters and scripts for what to mention, and also you could join pre-existing efforts to get out the vote by means of the phone and get all of the instruction you need.


Knock on Doors


Arguably the most impactful actions people can take leading up to Tuesday’s election, but, is spending face-to-face time with voters directly canvassing neighborhoods and speaking on the candidates and issues you care about.


“The power of showing up at someone's door, telling them about a candidate you believe in, and helping them make a plan to vote cannot be overstated,” says Marisa Kabas of Crush The Midterms, a digital tool that cooperates with the people make personal plans for supporting competitive campaigns.


For people who’ve never canvassed before, the process can seem overwhelming. Although, campaign staffers have onboarded numerous volunteers over the years to help get out the vote, so you’re in good hands. “[Canvassing] is incredibly easy and the campaign will give you a fast training before you head out, and you don't need any prior experience,” explains Monica Klein, Founding Partner of Seneca Strategies, a progressive political consulting firm. “There is nothing more meaningful or satisfying than convincing a voter [who] was on the fence to support your candidate. You don’t aspire to be able to see the results roll in right following the polls close and wish you had helped get out the vote.”


Kabas says that it’s also key to remember that while every interaction over the weekend might not be a positive one, your work is essential. “Not each person will be receptive. Not each person will be nice. You could get a number of slammed doors,” she notes. “But in case you spend even two hours knocking doors in your community or a community nearby—this weekend, Monday, or perhaps on Election Day—there's a high probability that you'll encourage a few people to turnout. That's everything.”