Tired of watching the political news and feeling hopeless and helpless waiting for election day to come? You can do a lot between now and November 5 to affect the outcome.
Yes, New York will probably cast its 28 electoral votes for the Democratic nominee, but what of the down-ballot races? In 2022 our state and federal representatives won by razor-thin margins. Senator Skoufis faced an unknown and eked out a 50.7% - 49.3% win. Pat Ryan won NY’s 18th Congressional District by a similar margin: 50.6% - 49.3%. At that Ryan was the only Democrat to win a swing district in NY. And it’s hard to imagine that Chris Eachus won his Assembly seat by only 8 votes! That’s not a typo – 8 votes!
The Cornwall Democratic Committee and the individual campaigns need volunteers. Every hand on deck is going to be necessary in an election year like this one when there will be races with truly existential implications. From mundane tasks like stuffing envelopes to calling friends and neighbors, to getting right on the front lines by door-knocking, opportunities abound.
Senator James Skoufis, who knows a thing or two about campaigns and public service, shared that, “Volunteering is a vital part of building – and maintaining – community. This informal civic participation gets at the very core of our community identity, because in doing so, we are actively shaping our world, making it the kind of place we want to live. Volunteerism is empowerment: one’s willingness to volunteer implies an understanding that change is possible.
Senator Skoufis in Cornwall addressing constituents, July 2024.
“As a candidate whose ranks are often filled out by dedicated volunteers, I get a chance to see folks with this kind of vision often, and I’m always struck by their commitment. The door-knocking, the letter-writing, the phone-banking… these volunteer activities aren’t just in service to a single candidate or campaign; they speak to that same desire to make a difference in our communities. With election season upon us, let’s get out there and make a mark!”
When you hear the media, especially the pundits, reporting on the importance of the “ground game” to each candidate's chances, canvassing - knocking on doors and talking directly with voters - is exactly what they are talking about.
If you doubt the importance of canvassing over other means of getting out the vote like TV ads or mailers the numbers don't lie. Especially in local and regional elections. Just ask our congressman, Pat Ryan. When The Cornwall Democrat did, his campaign told us, “In every election, Democratic campaigns rely on extensive grassroots efforts to persuade and turn out voters. Despite the millions that will be spent by both sides on paid media ads, mailers, and more, data has proven that a face-to-face conversation is the most effective tool we have to convince folks to come out and vote. That's right, the most effective tool in our arsenal is also the one that costs the least - just a few hours of our time each week talking to our neighbors! Every conversation we have with a voter is a chance to bank a vote! This race will come down to a very close margin, so it is absolutely vital that each of us steps up and does our part.”
So, with State Assembly and Senate races, the US House majority at stake, and, of course, the Presidency on the ballot, it means that there will be lots of chances to get walking. What can be better than meeting neighbors, learning your way around a town full of scenic wonders and marvelous architecture, and performing a civic duty all at the same time? Many voters will actually express their gratitude for your efforts, even some that won't agree with you.
So, if you are interested in politics (and if you're reading this I'm guessing you are) and would like to get off of the sidelines and make a real difference - a significant difference - contact The Cornwall Democratic Committee at https://www.cornwalldems.org/contact. We can get you started with an experienced canvasser. It's easier than you think and more fun than you can imagine.