“Hello”. Good morning, I’m Barbara Nimri, a volunteer with the State Democratic party campaign. We are calling to ask … Click. (They hang up.)
Good morning, I’m a volunteer with the Democratic Party campaign in District 19 (www.seaneldridge.com) . We hope you’ll be voting on Nov. 4th and we’re asking you to support ….
“I don’t discuss my vote with anyone.” Click.
I continue for 3 hours—more than 100 calls.
A volunteer comes into the campaign office and asks if there’s hot coffee. Someone arrives with a supply of lawn signs.
Good morning, I’m … . and we are urging voters to cast your ballot for … running for Congress this year.
“I can’t talk now, and I’ll decide when I get to the polls.”
Good morning, I’m ……..
“Is he on the Working Families Party ticket? I’ll vote for whomever WOR endorses?”
There are as many as nine parties listed on the New York state ballot. Smaller parties often haven’t their own contestant, so Republican and Democratic candidates seek their endorsements. (I saw candidates with four parties endorsing them. No other choice, I guess)
Good morning, I’m… . We have a strong Democratic candidate running for Congress in our district.
“Well I don’t get out much; I’m ill.” We can arrange transport … I see. Thank you.
Good morning, I’m … . Click.
Good morning. I’m … . “I’ll make up my mind myself thank you.” Click
Good morning I’m … . “Voting is a private matter; I don’t think my vote is any of your business.” Click.
This campaign strategy is supposed to be a science. Facebook and a webpages must be augmented by volunteers congregating at call centers to work the phones. We have numbers from all registered voters provided by the Board of Elections.
Campaign advice: “get your message out in 15 seconds; be cheerful; don’t argue”. Some candidates use rotocalls. Our strategy says personal live calls are best. I punch in the next number.
Our head office announces that only 10% separates us from the incumbent. He’s ahead but we’re closing in; another week until Nov. 4th. We have a chance.
With 2 days left, we concentrate on registered Democrats and independent voters . So no rebuffs, no hang-ups. Well, almost none.
Good afternoon, my name is …. a volunteer with the state Democratic Party campaign. We hope you’ll be voting Tuesday; will you support our candidate for congress?
“Yes, I expect to vote Democrat; yes, I guess I’ll vote for him.” Wonderful. We’ll see you at the polling station.
Good afternoon, my name is … a volunteer… We hope you will be casting your vote on Tuesday for…
“What‘s his position on veterans?”
Good afternoon, my name is … We hope you’ll… .
“I usually vote Democrat. But once they are in, whatever party, they don’t care about us. I don’t feel like voting. I don’t know.”
Good afternoon, my name is … volunteering with… .
“I received your flyers. I’m a Democrat but I don’t know him. I haven’t decided.”
Good afternoon, my name is … volunteering with… .
….“Yes, I have three daughters and I care most about women’s rights; he can count on my vote.”
…. “Yes. This is the 3rd call today. Sorry, I’m making dinner; I can’t talk. Yes, yes, I’ll vote.”
…. “I’m in Florida now and I already voted by absentee ballot.”
….“I haven’t made up my mind yet. No I can’t tell you what my husband’s position is.”
Other volunteers are at neighborhoods across our district, moving house to house, knock on doors, leaving flyers, fielding questions about our candidate. Three arrive at our phone center feeling exhausted; it was worthwhile, they say. They like meeting voters face to face. We have to believe we can be effective.
Traditionally the US electorate is uninspired by mid-term races, most especially Democrats. Media tell us we’re letting the side down.
With less than 40% voter turnout, incumbents tend to be re-elected without a fight. (In NY’s state legislature our senator and assemblyman, both Republicans, are on the ballot; both are unopposed.)
Just get our people to the polls; that can turn the results, we’re told. We continue punching in the numbers.
After three hours I hand over my half completed list to another volunteer. (we are all women.) See you Monday. Yes. I grab four lawn signs to post along the roadside on my way home.
Barbara Nimri Aziz is a journalist and anthropologist based in New York. And a registered Democrat.
