How to Volunteer for a Political Candidate
Feelings run strong as November nears, especially in a presidential election year. If you are anxious about your candidates making it to Congress or the White House, it’s time to give up a few hours and get out there and volunteer. No matter what your particular issues of concern are, it’s vital to get your opinions out there before the election. And no matter which political party you are supporting, there are dozens of ways both donkeys and elephants can work to boost their candidates’ chances for victory.
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Instructions
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Go to the Democratic and Republican websites (links at the end of this article) and fill out the forms stating your contact information and what kinds of volunteer work you are willing to do. Be sure to mention any pertinent special skills you have. On the local level, simply stop by the candidates’ headquarters in your area and ask what volunteer jobs need to be done. Typical work includes staffing the office, duplicating materials, working the phone, delivering brochures and selling campaign items (such as shirts, buttons, bumper stickers and yard signs).
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Put up yard signs. Groups of volunteers can cover a particular neighborhood, asking for permission to place signs (usually ones they have purchased themselves on their candidate’s behalf). Make phone calls to lists of party contributors offering to deliver and post yard signs for them.
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Sign up to work as an election judge. Both political parties need to be represented at every polling place. To sign up, go to your local election board where you will go through a short training and be assigned a specific polling place where you will work on Election Day.
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Register voters in an area where you believe your candidate might potentially receive votes. Contact the voter registrar at your local election board. After a brief training, you will be certified to register voters. Consider attending an outdoor fair or volunteering at a high school to register voters.
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Sign up to be a poll watcher. You will be appointed by your party to carefully observe what happens at a particular polling place on election day. Your function will be to look for any irregularities and report them. Not all polling places have watchers; the political party decides when and where they want them in place.
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Speak to individuals (particularly undecided voters) and groups about the candidate you are backing and why you believe your choice to be the best one. You might consider hosting an event and inviting a local candidate who will speak on behalf of national candidates.
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Tips & Warnings
Become a registered voter yourself before applying to register others or work at the polls.
Refrain from wearing any campaign-related items such as buttons or hats when you register voters or work at the polls.
