Illinois Democrats help Harris-Walz in neighbor states

Michelle Obama’s rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention must have revved up countless Democrats to answer her appeal “to do something.” Her call to action was repeated by speaker after speaker. Don’t let the passion of the convention fool you into overconfidence, they said. Harris vs. Trump will be close. 

Illinois Democrats live in a reliably blue state. Where can we make a difference? 

Operation Swing State, a local grassroots coalition, is mobilizing volunteers to canvass, make phone calls, and write postcards to help the Harris-Walz ticket in Wisconsin and Michigan, two of the swing states that are expected to determine the presidential election. 

Even someone like me who’s not a regular political activist can feel comfortable writing postcards from home. I signed up with Operation Swing State to write postcards and am awaiting follow-up. If the project is organized as in 2020, the last time I wrote postcards, volunteers will handwrite the cards, choosing from suggested scripts, address them to supplied names, and stamp and mail them on a specified October date. 

Since writing postcards for Biden in 2020, I’ve learned about research showing that postcards make a difference. According to the Progressive Turnout Project, which also has a postcard-writing effort, postcards add 1.3% to Democratic turnout. The impact may seem small until you realize how few votes can mean the difference in a close race. Biden’s margin of victory in Arizona, Georgia, and Wisconsin combined was 42,918 votes — or .37%.

It might surprise you to hear that suggested postcard scripts don’t mention a candidate or a party. Research has found that the most effective messages aren’t partisan. They encourage voting with language such as “Thank you for being a voter. When will you vote in the Tuesday, November 5, election? Please plan ahead!” Left-leaning groups target people who may need a nudge to vote but then are likely to vote Democratic. 

Operation Swing State is also coordinating volunteers for the more traditional tactics of phoning and canvassing voters. 

Every Saturday vehicles travel from staging locations in Chicago and the suburbs to Wisconsin and Michigan for a few hours of knocking on doors. When you sign up for a date, you can indicate whether you need a ride or have a car and are willing to drive others. 

I knocked on doors for Obama in South Bend in 2008 and in Milwaukee in 2012 (or was it for Clinton in 2016?). I may canvass this year as November 5 gets closer. Face-to-face political activism doesn’t feel natural or comfortable to me, but when the stakes are high enough, I can make myself do it. More likely I’ll participate in one or more of Operation Swing State’s phone banks. From 6 to 8 every Tuesday and Thursday evening until election day, volunteers will phone Wisconsinites and Michiganders from anywhere. Phone bank captains will share lists and train volunteers in how to call and what to say.

Of course, there is also the option of giving money, which I’m reminded of by text and email several times a day. It’s annoying, but it will be over soon. And then let’s hope we feel rewarded, however we contributed.