“Voting is the Way We Fight”
“Some folks, in this political climate, are scared of making themselves traceable to government in any capacity. They want to avoid any interaction with a hostile administration.”
In Ohio, voters know their vote matters – and they face real challenges making their voices heard. That’s why state captain Josh MacKintosh was eager to return, after working in Toledo for Hillary in 2016. “2016 was my first experience going to a state where everyone is fighting for your vote,” Josh recalls. “It’s completely different from Seattle, the way the culture works around voting and elections. In Ohio, people want to know their representatives are going to be fighting for them in Congress. It’s so, so critical we fight for Democrats in that state.”
Ohio doesn’t make it easy to vote. Voters must show ID at the polls, and can be purged from the voter rolls for skipping an election. Hundreds of thousands have lost their right to vote this way, particularly among low-income communities, people of color and youth. “We take ID for granted, but it costs money to get one,” Josh shares. “Some folks, in this political climate, are scared of making themselves traceable to government in any capacity. They want to avoid any interaction with a hostile administration.”
Volunteer Suzy Kellett canvassed in many immigrant and refugee communities. “A lot of people in these apartment complexes didn't want to answer their door. Most of the men were out working, and women were at home with their children. They’re scared of ICE and terrified of Trump.” At one door, Suzy met a young Somali woman who invited her in and said she wanted to volunteer. “She said, ‘I know everyone in this complex, I want to help my people get out to vote.’ She needed help, because she didn’t know how to do it, but she was willing.” Suzy connected her with Campaign for Ohio, the local Democrats.
At many doors, people didn’t realize they were eligible to vote. Team Ohio let them know they could, and helped them come up with a plan. For those without an ID, they advised that during early voting, an ID isn’t necessary. Liz Strain noted how much voters appreciated the ability to vote early. “These were hard working families and it seemed clear they would not be able to vote without the weekend options.” Audrey Vaughn and Constance Wettack each spoke to someone who thought they couldn’t vote due to a past felony conviction, but were so excited to learn they can. Constance recalls, “I was glad to tell him he can vote and we need him!”
The Columbus area is racially diverse, with large refugee and immigrant populations. Some Common Purpose volunteers were paired with local volunteers for their daily canvassing, many of whom were members of those communities. Suzy Kellett visited a local Bhutanese family that she had mentored near Seattle, when they first arrived in the United States after 17 years in a Nepalese refugee camp. They were thriving in the large local Bhutanese community and thrilled to reconnect. Suzy shares, “One of the sons, Laxmi, has always been very involved in everything. When I saw him, I asked if he'd consider being a contact with Democrats for the Bhutanese community. My hope is that Laxmi will make sure the Bhutanese community around Columbus will vote.”
Team Ohio’s most important goal was getting out the vote, but Josh hoped that Common Purpose volunteers would find “a new perspective on what voting is to so many people,” in a state where voters fiercely value their vote. Ohio voters take their job seriously and think deeply about the meaning of their vote. As one voter told Constance, “Voting is the way we fight for our country.”
Written by Christena Coutsoubos
Knocking Doors for Beto in Dallas
“This finely tuned campaign machine has been building momentum for THIS weekend: the first and only full weekend of the Texas early voting period.”
We attended the Friday morning briefing at the campaign office with a dozen people. This finely tuned campaign machine has been building momentum for THIS weekend: the first and only full weekend of the Texas early voting period. More volunteers were expected throughout the weekend and excitement was high. Campaign staff shared a great surprise: Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke and civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis would be visiting our community outside Dallas for a rally on Saturday morning!
Our first order of business was to get trained on the canvassing operation. The goal was simple: the campaign had identified about 5M infrequent voters in the state that would lean toward Beto, and they need 1M of them to win. We were to talk people through making a plan to vote during early voting. Our training took about 75-90 minutes, led by a volunteer from LA who shared a personal story about health care access, which inspired her to fly all this way to volunteer on the campaign. We grabbed swag for the team – buttons, t-shirts, stickers – and headed out to canvass our turf.
After a day of energetic door knocking, we were thrilled to attend the rally on Saturday morning. Our goal: turn excitement into action by recruiting volunteers from the adoring masses. We made signs to attract new volunteers. We were lucky to witness the rally and to have our very own photographer with us to capture it, Troy Bonnes. I would describe the rally, but Troy's photos do a much better job of that. I encourage you to flip through them, below.
Going to a polling location is somewhat foreign to us vote-by-mailers. There were campaign tents set up in the parking lot for competing campaigns – beyond the legally-required 100 foot line, of course. Candidates for county commissioner and justice of the peace were pulling up to campaign. The mood seemed combative until we started talking to people and learned that they like Tex-Mex and BBQ just as much as we do – and they don't like divisiveness any more than the next person.
We made our way over to another turf and hit the doors one more time before lunch. We had a great conversation with a 3rd or 4th generation Mexican-American man who wanted to know if Beto was the real deal or just a fake. We assured him the best we could and I think we won.
All in all, we walked away feeling like we did some good. Not only for Beto's chances, but for our own mental health and well-being. We want election night to go in our favor, but however it turns out, we can look back and say we didn't sit idly by. And that's “BETO” than nothing. Hehe…
Written by Sylvester Cann, Photographs by Troy Bonnes
Engaging the New American Majority
Common Purpose leader Wole Akinlosotu speaks with CNN’s Van Jones about finding common ground during divisive times.
Wole Akinlosotu is an avid follower of news and politics, so the opportunity to meet CNN host Van Jones as part of Common Purpose’s leadership team was too good to pass up. “One thing that impressed me was the fact that he‘s been doing a lot of community organizing and a lot of groundwork since he was a kid,” says Wole. “That inspired me - hearing about some of the bigger things he's accomplished while he was young.” Jones was in Seattle to talk about Initiative 1631, the carbon fee, and agreed to speak with young leaders from Common Purpose and another local organization at a private residence.
Wole works on marketing and media for Common Purpose’s Ristretto, an event series to reach oppressed and underrepresented groups, including young people of color and young women – the “New American majority.” Voter registration was the focus of the first Ristretto, which featured great food, drinks and a DJ. Wole explains, “Another goal is to create a community of young people that are passionate about what's going on in their communities, giving them an outlet to learn about how policies will affect local communities. They’re bringing new energy to the conversation.”
His work with Common Purpose, and opportunities like talking one on one with Van Jones, are helping Wole as he considers his next steps after college. “It's good to be around other professionals that are passionate about civic engagement. It allowed me to see if you trust the process and start young, that hard work doesn't go to waste. That reassured me as I'm graduating and figuring out what I'm supposed to be doing.”
In the meantime, Wole is keeping busy with Common Purpose. He’s heading to Tampa with Team Florida to GOTV to restore voting rights in early November. And the next Ristretto is October 30th, featuring a panel discussion with community organizers and political activists, and a DJ and costume contest to keep things lively. He encourages Common Purpose volunteers to spread the word among the under-30s in your families and networks. Anyone interested can RSVP here.
Beyond the midterms, Wole is thinking about the future. He’s looking into fellowships that will allow him to travel, and considering how to evolve Ristretto to fulfill its mission. And he’s mulling over the difficulty and importance of finding common ground during divisive times, something he had the opportunity to talk about with Jones. “All we can do is tell our story. I really feel like storytelling and sharing where each side is coming from is the answer to starting dialog,” shares Wole.
"What is it to be a Democrat?" Talking to first time voters in Las Vegas
“There was an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm. Even if they didn’t know where to vote, they were asking for pamphlets and they were determined to vote.”
The Latinx* community is quite likely to vote blue, but Democrats have historically done a poor job turning out the Latinx vote. Team Nevada helped tackle that gap by canvassing in the largely Latinx and Black neighborhoods of east Las Vegas. Working alongside the state Democratic party and the unusually strong local Culinary Union (described by its spokesperson as the state’s largest immigrant organization), their efforts are key to winning the Latinx vote for the midterms.
“It’s been extraordinary,” said Suzanne Olsen, “the reaction we’ve gotten, the appreciation for getting early voting information out to people.” A large percentage of voters they spoke to had never before experienced personal outreach and were eager to have their voices heard. Shelly Crocker recalled walking up to a home where six men in their early 20s were hanging around outside. “They were all going to vote Democratic, and they were going to do it soon. They weren’t even on my list!” One voter already had voted Democratic and had a message for the opposition: “We’re not an angry mob. We’re angry moms, angry grandmothers, angry daughters.”
Nevada is attracting national attention for its Senate race, with Democrat Jacky Rosen poised to flip a seat currently held by a Republican. In fact, former President Obama and Vice President Biden both visited to support Rosen’s campaign while Team Nevada was in town; President Trump had stumped for her opponent a week earlier. There is reason to believe the excitement and GOTV efforts may just lead to the hoped-for blue wave: turnout on the first day of voting shattered previous records.
In east Las Vegas, enthusiasm was high, but voters also had many questions. Volunteers were surprised by some of the challenges that voters faced. In Nevada, you can run an errand and vote at the same location – say, your local Albertson’s – but the early voting polling places can move from day to day. That makes early voting both convenient and confusing. Doug Coutts recalled speaking with a young man whose only internet access was his mother’s mobile phone. “I talked with him for 20 minutes. It was hard for him to access information about the election.” Another voter had vision problems and couldn’t see her ballot properly. Suzanne and Maria helped her look up information about the candidates.
A Canadian immigrant, Doug found speaking to new citizens particularly poignant. “For a guy like me who found it easy to become a citizen, it was touching to meet people who found citizenship much more difficult to accomplish. I met several people who had such pride for being American and being a new voter,” he recalled through tears.
At one home, a newly registered voter asked, “What is it to be a Democrat?” She had heard of President Obama and was excited about him, but she didn’t understand the nuances of our government and the political parties. Thanks to the local Democratic party, they were able to give her a ticket to see Obama speak the next day. Team leader Maria summed up the experience: “Voters weren’t feeling super informed when we knocked on their doors. But there was an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm. Even if they didn’t know where to vote, they were asking for pamphlets and they were determined to vote.”
Nevada, Day 1: Reflections from a Common Purpose Volunteer
Five of us are on the sunny flight to Nevada, seated together in a clump toward the back. We chat amiably on our quest for the rental car and arrive quickly at our Las Vegas hotel, a huge place designed to get you gambling, loud and smoky – but we are undeterred. Over a buffet lunch, we meet Nevada state leader Maria Abando and another team member who arrived yesterday.
It takes us awhile to get organized, but finally we are on our way to the East Las Vegas office of the Nevada Democrats, where things spring into action. Office head Christena left behind three children in California to help Democrat Jacky Rosen win this Senate seat. She has paid staff of a dozen young organizers, half from Nevada and the rest from around the country. They have very few volunteers, and they are thrilled to see us.
We are here to support early voting, which begins in three days. Our walk lists are of Democratic registered voters – more than 5,500 voters were newly registered in this district since last March. Christena trains us to help people document a plan to vote: pick a day, a mode of transportation, and identify where they will be coming from on their way to vote. Christena tells us that the Senate race in Nevada will be largely decided by the Latinx voters of this area in the first weekend of early voting. If we can get the vote out for Democrats, we can win the state.
We head out at 5:00pm into the neighborhoods of east Las Vegas. The light is already changing, but kids are outside and doors are open. The smell of dinner cooking greets me at several homes. My blocks are on a busy street, mostly fourplex apartments. Many are not yet home from work, but at some half dozen doors I am welcomed and together we make a voting plan. Twice I am warmly invited inside – something that has never happened in Seattle after knocking on thousands of doors.
Dark falls very quickly, just after 6:00pm, and suddenly it is time to end our work for the day. A lovely dinner at a local Mexican restaurant with the team ends our first day together. We head back to the hotel tired and looking forward to tomorrow.
Written by Shelly Crocker
A Warm Welcome in Eastern Washington’s 5th District
Washington's 5th district covers an enormous and diverse area, including Spokane, Walla Walla and 10 rural counties along the state's eastern border. Former Speaker of the House Tom Foley represented this district in the “other” Washington for 30 years – the last Democrat to hold the position. Now, Democratic candidate Lisa Brown is poised to topple Republican incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Common Purpose registered voters there during Wave 1, and in the final weeks before midterms, are turning out the progressive vote.
Common Purpose volunteers report a warm welcome in the 5th, with campaign staff and supporters opening their homes for those who need a place to stay. “The staff have been amazingly supportive, helpful and friendly,” says Washington state Co-Chair Marty Jacobs. “The campaign folks have been really happy and excited to have us. It’s just a small, close-knit community.” In addition to Brown’s campaign, they are also canvassing in support of Yes on 1631, the carbon emissions fee that will create jobs in clean energy.
Marty relishes her work coordinating CP volunteers for the 5th. She brings personal passion for Lisa Brown’s campaign, having worked alongside her in Olympia when Brown was a state representative. “She’s remarkably smart and personable. She was the first female Democrat to serve as Senate Majority Leader. She’s an amazing leader, with deep roots in the community,” Jacobs remembers. “I was a huge fan of hers, even back then.”
Most of the 25+ Common Purpose volunteers have headed to Spokane County, where 70% of voters in the district live – but some have canvassed in Walla Walla and even squeezed in a bit of wine tasting afterward. “Those who are scheduled can expect to be very welcomed and well-prepped – and we go out in pairs,” mentioned volunteer Shelley Morrison. “The most important thing to share is how grateful the Lisa Brown campaign is to have Common Purpose here.”
Consider adding the 5th to your own canvassing plan before the midterms. Marty hopes to send even more Common Purpose volunteers there in the next few weeks, in support of Lisa Brown and Yes on 1631. Eastern Washington represents an opportunity to spread the blue wave in our own state - and support fellow progressives from across the mountains. Shelley adds, “We’ve had beautiful days and crisp weather. I encourage anyone interested to plan a trip here.”
Written by Christena Coutsoubos
Team Minnesota- Stan Kehl
“You knock, you talk to people. It’s a fun thing to be out there. You get a little exercise, and you find some really nice people you’d like to talk to forever!”
This isn’t Stan Kehl’s first GOTV campaign. He’s a veteran of the ground game, spending months turning out the vote as paid staff for Obama in Cincinnati and Hillary in Pittsburg, relishing the feeling of being a part of history. In fact, he’d planned to get out of politics entirely after those campaigns. But with the 2016 election “it was clear I could not ride off into the sunset and retire,” recalls Stan with a rueful laugh. He and his wife Karen Fie found Common Purpose and are bringing their enthusiasm and experience to Team Minnesota.
On Team Minnesota, Stan and Karen are working with the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor party (DFL, Minnesota’s name for the Democrats) to elect Dean Phillips to Congress in District 3. Phillips is running against a 10-year incumbent in the Minnesota suburbs, a district that voted for Hillary in 2016. Stan and the local DFL party believe they can flip the seat on November 6th.
Canvassing keeps Stan motivated. “You knock, you talk to people. It’s a fun thing to be out there. You get a little exercise, and you find some really nice people you’d like to talk to forever!” At one house, he was looking for a 19 year old young man. His mother answered the door and told Stan, “You should be talking to me because I always vote!” A lifelong Republican, she was frustrated with the incumbent for “voting against Planned Parenthood one too many times,” and plans to vote for Phillips this year. She didn’t want to interrupt her son playing video games, but pledged to encourage him to vote, too.
At another house, Stan was surprised to be recognized by the woman who answered the door – she’d been at campaign headquarters when Team Minnesota arrived. She reported her entire family were strong votes for Phillips, but they had a unique barrier to signaling their support: their cul de sac has an agreement to show only one political sign per yard. She adapted by switching her sign every day. That day, her sign expressed support for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and tomorrow it would be back to Phillips.
In Minnesota, it is particularly easy to register to vote, early voting has already begun and voters can request absentee ballots on demand. On the weekend before the election, city hall and polling locations will be open for business, and it’s possible to register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day – up to and including November 6th.
Stan has been impressed with the support and preparation from both Common Purpose and the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor office. “The educational materials are consistent with other campaigns I’ve worked on, and the skits and training were right on.” He advises new volunteers to come prepared for anything and be ready to roll with the punches. “Know that the people you are working with are very committed. And if you have any fear, after the first couple of doors, you’ll remember you’re just talking to neighbors.”
Written by Christena Coutsoubos
“Part of a movement” for a stronger democracy in Michigan
They call themselves the Turf Busters, and at the end of a long day in the field, this group of tired but motivated Team Michigan volunteers shared their experiences hitting the pavement for Common Purpose.
They call themselves the Turf Busters, and at the end of a long day in the field, this group of tired but motivated Team Michigan volunteers shared their experiences hitting the pavement for Common Purpose. They are talking to voters about candidate campaigns and two initiatives that will strengthen Michigan’s democracy: Promote the Vote will remove common barriers to voting, and Voters not Politicians will redraft some of the nation’s most gerrymandered districts via an independent commission. Absentee voting has already begun in Michigan, giving additional urgency to the effort. The Michigan team hopes to knock on at least 4,000 doors in all to influence swing voters in suburban Detroit.
“The enthusiasm that you feel toward people coming to their door is amazing,” says Sean McDonald over a shared Dutch apple pie from the local cider mill. “Moving the needle” has become Team Michigan’s catchphrase, and the Turf Busters find inspiration in knowing they’re having that effect with hundreds of voters each day. A friendly competitive spirit seeps in, as volunteers celebrate those moments when their conversation moves a voter to be more favorable. Virginia Felton adds, “People really appreciate someone coming to the door and talking civilly and thoughtfully about politics.”
The Turf Busters lean on each other to keep up their energy and spirits throughout the day. When they return to their cars, they share their stories – successes and failures, warm and cold greetings, fears and funny encounters. They celebrate “unofficial” wins, such as when the garbage man or babysitter expresses support, even if they can’t reach the targeted voter. And they commiserate when they have difficult or frustrating encounters. “I came with a lot of trepidation,” admits Debbie McDonald, “but it has been powerful to do this with a group of people who are dedicated and supportive.”
Several Turf Busters participated in Wave 1 and noted the difference between the campaigns now and then. “It’s much more organized now. It’s crunch time for campaigns, and now they have the infrastructure to deploy people. There’s plenty of work to get done,” says Richard Marks. Team Michigan draws inspiration from local campaign staffers. “They tend to be young and enthusiastic, and they believe in what they are doing.” Staffers rely on volunteers to make an impact, Marks notes, and they care that volunteers feel comfortable - so they will be effective.
Unsurprisingly, national politics are affecting Team Michigan’s efforts and creeping into their conversations. The Kavanaugh hearings have come up a few times, with voters expressing concerns across the political spectrum. Some voters wonder whether local candidates would confirm the nominee. Campaign staff are concerned the Kavanaugh fight may energize Republican voters on November 6th, making Common Purpose’s work even more important in the upcoming month.
Luckily, Team Michigan is on the case, tirelessly pounding doors and pavement to ensure an overwhelming blue wave on election day. Their experience has made them passionate about the Common Purpose approach. As Debbie McDonald shares, “I know we have talked to people who didn't know anything about the issues. I think we've changed minds. By letting voters know we believe in these initiatives, they're thinking about their vote more than before. I see the importance of it. We’re part of a movement.”
Written by Christena Coutsoubos
Tips for Volunteers in the Field
Common Purpose is in the field, and volunteers shared tips for those of us who haven’t yet left home.
First off, add these to your packing list:
Cell phone charger and extra power pack. Campaigns use a smartphone app to track results, so you’ll be on your phone all day. Make sure you can keep it powered.
Good walking shoes. CPers report walking up to 30,000 steps every day!
Moleskin, bandages and first aid ointment. Come prepared for blisters.
Small backpack. You’ll likely want a rain layer or umbrella, and you’ll need something to carry your extra charger.
Clothes with pockets. Same reason – you’ll want your arms free to carry your phone and campaign materials. Purses can feel clumsy.
Dog treats. If you’re a dog lover, treats help calm a barking fido at the door and put you in good graces with its doting owner.
Volunteers also shared great advice and encouragement as we’re preparing to head out:
Start walking now! Even with great walking shoes, you’ll be tired and sore from walking miles each day. Build up your stamina before you leave town.
Consider renting a house together instead of a hotel. You can save on meals, and it strengthens the feeling of community and support during a tiring week. Plus – Team Michigan’s rental has ping pong!
Trust and learn from your campaign staff. They will train and equip you well – it’s their job to make sure you have everything you need to be effective. Stay on point and stick to the campaign talking points.
For the introverts out there, remember that you’ll be talking to people about the things you care most about. Volunteers consistently report that the conversations feel good.
It’s OK to feel uncertain when you start out. You will gain confidence the more conversations you have, and you’ll begin to relish the moment when the door opens and you introduce yourself.
Thanks to the Team Michigan Turf Busters and Marty Jacobs for these tips!
Written by Christena Coutsoubos
