I have been on volunteer on many political campaigns since Dean for America (August 2003-February 2004) and I’m currently volunteering for the HillaryforAmerica campaign.
A problem for a lot of people is they want to help out with either the HillaryForAmerica campaign and/or their local or state campaign.
But we are working, taking care of family, and really don’t want to talk to strangers, or don’t want to talk to knock on doors or make phone calls.
Here are several ways you can help out — however, please check with your local office to find out their needs.
Food and Drink and Supplies
Local campaign locations run on volunteers. Volunteers run on food. And water. And soda pop (although I hear some people call it soda — weird.) And juice or juice drinks.
Find out what foods the office can use. Phone banking is thirsty work. Additionally, many people are coming to the location straight from work and haven’t eaten.
Make a Costco/BJs or local food store run and donate the food/drinks to the office.
Some locations limit non-store made food — so check before making 10 trays of your special Lasagna.
At the office where I primarily volunteer there is shortage of NON-diet soda pop with caffeine. Arghghgh!
Many offices also need post it notes, painter’s tape, pens, eating utensils, rain gear, ziploc bags, paper plates and bowls, hand soap/hand sanitizers.
Gift cards also work.
You don’t need to spend a lot. Ten dollars worth of half size cokes or individual juice boxes would make my evening!
Giving people rides to the polls BEFORE and on election day.
Lots of states have early in person voting. The campaigns need people to get people to the polls. In many states if the person has a disability, there are handicapped spots available near the election location — you go in with the person’s ID and the election workers bring the voting page or a secured election laptop — out to the car. Pretty neat.
And the people you give rides to will be very happy. I know, this is one of the things I always do on election day.
Usually the volunteer driver slots are short, locally they are three or four hours long.
Hand out flyers to those going into the polls.
This does require some (limited) human contact, but all you have to do is be ready as people walk by and ask “Would you like a sample ballot?’ No conversations, unless you want, and it is helpful to those organizing volunteers at polling locations.
Check with your neighborhood coordinator for what they need on election day.
You know the guy or gal, whom you see outside of the school/fire house/church/other polling location, who is there every election and seems to be there the whole time the polls are open? Chances are they are the local neighborhood coordinator. Find out (on the day of or in advance) if they need anything: bottled water, candy, nutrition bars, anything which can help their volunteers make it though election day.
Become a poll watcher.
This is usually a two to four hour shift. You are in the polling place, making sure no shenanigans go on. Anything fishy? You will be given a number to call. Remember, 99.9999 percent of the time it is pretty quiet job. And you generally are not talking to people. NOTE: you cannot use your cell phone, except for making election related calls when inside. And no photos! You sign up through your local party organization, and you’ll need to volunteer in advance.
So that is how you can help out, even if you don’t want to talk to strangers.
As always for every state, YMMV
