Super-volunteer Connie gives a thumbs up during a 12-hour call marathon in the Louisville Ditch Mitch campaign office.
More than 5,000 Daily Kos rockstars are volunteering to make calls from home to maintain a Democratic majority in the Senate. These calls are critical to driving turnout among unlikely voters and we need all the help we can get. Over the last few weeks, we have asked them to share experiences, tips and anecdotes. Below are some of my favorites.
There are still call shifts available as we head into the final hours before Election Day. Click to volunteer from the comfort of your home.
"I make calls so that I have the satisfaction of knowing that, no matter what the outcome, I did more than vote and send a bit of money. Some of my calls have been with others who are working just as hard on the ground." - Sue, CA
"In 2008, 2010 and 2012 I helped the phone brigades making countless calls to get out the vote. It was a good but difficult experience. In 2014, I volunteered and discovered that big changes were made in the program. Now with the new technology, I can sit at my computer, tied into the GOTV program, my cell on, and always get a human, a voter answering the phone. No answering machines, no phone company messages, no busy signals - all filtered out! Yea team. For all of us who want to participate but can't do the street work, this is great. We need to get the word out. Life on the phone in the weeks before election day is cool, completely doable." - Beth, PA
"I have done many years of GOTV...I have always made a point of letting people know that politics is how you can change things that you don't like happening in your government...I registered people to vote on the job during my breaks and lunch, and tabled outside of retail stores to make sure Democrats registered...I am retired now, but I do what I can to keep people involved in the political process...Above all, just have fun with what you're doing and know that you are making a difference!" - Sharon, CA.
"This is an easy way to help get out the vote. I suggest you put a mirror in front of you when you make your calls so that you can see you are smiling. People can hear a smile, really." -Melody, CA
"Be respectful. Be patient. Be grateful. Many folks out there are confused and disoriented. They are distressed and receive conflicting information from various sources, family, church, co-workers, TV. Follow the script, it is well designed but be personable. Don't try to convince the close minded but don't neglect the opportunity to inform the receptive." -Gary, WA
"Talking to voters gives you an insight into how most of the current issues may affect them in their own lives." -Tobi, MD.
"One young mother had no idea what was required [to vote]. She asked questions and I was able to answer them so that she could cast her vote for Democrats. " -Janet, GA
"I am a retired teacher who just moved from Alabama to North Carolina. I now depend on my pension and social security to make ends meet. I have greatly benefited from both programs and feel that all my fellow teachers who follow me deserve the same. The Tea Party wants to change all that...Making calls to voters was the one thing I can do to make a difference and put into power people who have integrity and compassion." -William, NC
"Hello: I just want to thank everyone for volunteering your time to help Democrats win next week. It would be SO COMPLETELY FANTASTIC if Mitch McConnell exited the Senate!!!" -David, CA
Inspired? There are still call shifts available as we head into the final hours before Election Day. Sign up here to volunteer from the comfort of your home.