Suffolk

Essay: Knocking on the doors of Wisconsin voters with Operation Swing State

Caradoc Wyn October 29, 2024

Editor’s note: Find out how you can get involved in the election in the RoundTable guide Here.

I volunteered to canvass registered voters in Wisconsin through the Democratic campaign group Operation Swing State. When I signed up, I didn’t see any groups starting from Evanston, so I chose a group that started from Northbrook. We met at 10 a.m. on a sunny Sunday. The very informal briefing, which took place outside, began at around 10:15am. There was a carafe of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and some snacks.

That was my experience.

Diverse volunteers

Other volunteers included a couple with two small children, three women who I believe knew each other, two men who did not know each other, and myself. The Northbrook leader explained where we would be going and what we would normally do would happen when we arrived at our destination and knocked on the doors. He suggested we stop for lunch on the way to Wisconsin since our shift was scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The women rode together in a car and I drove up with the two men. By 10:40 a.m. we were all out

My driving friends were Jed Weiner, 70, a health care communications consultant who lives in Chicago, and Matt Cassidy, 51, a financial technology systems analyst (“I’m not a trader,” he emphasized) who lives in Northbrook. As Matt drove, we discussed why we volunteered, what we did for a living, and other polite conversations. Jed was worried that we would end our shift before the Packers game started, a concern I hadn’t taken into account. (What is a packer? Just kidding.)

Royalty on Route 94

Mars Cheese Castle. Credit: Wendi Kromash

I mentioned that I had never been to Wisconsin. While we were driving on Route 94, someone pointed out the famous Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha. That what? The castle was on the other side of the highway and I missed the view, but they pointed it out to me on the way back. They asked me if I wanted to stop for some cheese, but I declined and decided to save the experience for another day.

MiniVan 9

Our destination was Greendale, Wisconsin. I was concerned about the usability of the only software application, MiniVan 9Part of NGPVan, a leading technology provider. “MiniVAN is the leading mobile acquisition app for democratic and progressive campaigns and causes,” the company announces on its homepage.

I worried unnecessarily; The app is easy to use and updates every few minutes. I downloaded the app before I left Evanston. On site in Wisconsin, I entered the code for my order. Within a minute, my assigned neighborhood appeared on my phone.

Clicking on a home will display the address and names of all registered voters who live there (as of the last election). Details are listed separately for each voter. The app collects and organizes publicly available information about registered voters such as “source file gender” (male or female), age, political party, date of registration, polling location and telephone numbers. There is no information about voting history.

The app also records how often the person was contacted by phone or during a visit and the results of those interactions. We recorded what happened for each individual, either using the forms in the app or in the Notes section.

Our “captain” that day, Michael Maxson, an elementary school principal in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, emphasized that the most important thing is to have a meaningful connection and conversation with anyone willing to talk to us. Ask them what issues worry them most. Share why you volunteer. His enthusiasm was obvious and heartfelt.

From left: volunteers Jed Weiner, Michael Maxson, Tom Spehert, Paula Spehert, Shivani Gandhi and Matt Cassidy Credit: Wendi Kromash

Meeting other voters

Everyone acquires with a partner. Each job covers approximately 40 homes in a specific neighborhood, generally taking about two hours to complete. There is a short script to familiarize yourself with before you begin. Matt and I practiced it a few times and role-played different scenarios, which helped when we actually talked to someone.

“All we have to do is get two or three new people per district to vote Democratic and we can win,” Michael said.

Probably in a third of the houses we visited there was no one there or the residents refused to open the door. (Ring cameras monitor visitors). Matt and I had fruitful conversations with a few people. When we asked what topic was on their minds, the only topics mentioned were “reproductive rights” and “abortion.”

At least three people said they were uncomfortable sharing their political views due to privacy concerns and would not get involved. A few people told us they would vote for the other person and we thanked them for their vote. We learned that some college students were not in school and have updated that information in the app.

We saw several lawn signs for both candidates, but more Halloween decorations than anything else. Still, the lawn sign below was particularly notable.

On a lawn in suburban Wisconsin. Credit: Wendi Kromash

All in all, it was a worthwhile experience and I would do it again if time permitted. If you want to help Democrats and have a few hours to spare on a weekend day, sign up. It’s a good way to do something productive and meet new people.

Yiamastaverna

Yiamastaverna