Together. Now. We are the cavalry.

Guess what? I love canvassing! My house is a mess, I'm not writing as much as I should, and the camper van has a dead battery from just sitting in the driveway - but... I love canvassing!

A few memorable conversations from knocking doors for two hours this week in Whitewater:

A) A 92-year-old man named Elmer (Elmer!) came slowly to the door. He told me his wife died in August, and "I don't get around so good anymore". Elmer plans to have his daughter take him to the polls. He said, "We need to get rid of that guy. Not in the bad way. Just vote for people who'll get him out." Neither of us had said the name Trump. But I knew who he meant. And I love that Elmer felt the need to clarify that he didn't want Trump killed. He wants to use the electoral process. Me too, Elmer. Me too. I gave him my number and said if his daughter can't take him, I will. One more voter.

B) A retired couple were cleaning their camper in the driveway. We talked camping for a while (of course!) but then I asked if they have a plan to vote. Yes, they do, and they will vote for Dems. Great! We discussed the importance of early voting. I tell them I just voted yesterday and it was easy and it felt great to get my vote "locked in". They both nodded, and I could tell they were considering it. We talked through the details of where and when and how to early vote. Boom, two more voters.

C) A college student who said he "probably isn't going to vote". His original plan was to vote back home, but he can't afford the gas money. I told him that he can vote here in Whitewater. He'll need to register with his new address, but as long as he has been at that address for at least 28 days and he brings proof of residency (like his lease or utility bill), he can register to vote here up to and including Nov. 3rd. We talk through the details of where and when and how to register, I provide a couple resources (myvote.wi.gov) and (https://www.commoncause.org/wisconsin/resources/student-voting-guide/)- and Boom, one more voter.

Out of 20 doors I knocked in one afternoon, three of them were impactful. And as I shared in my previous post, 2-3 votes per ward is the margin of victory in Wisconsin. Huzzah!

It makes me feel better to canvass. I do it with friends, and it helps us all to feel less anxious. Every door I knock I wear my Moms Demand Action shirt and tell them the story of why I knock on doors...

For me it's pretty simple: I love my boys. I loved them when they were the same age as the students killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and I loved them when they were the same age as the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Why should any child die from gun violence when it is a completely preventable problem? Republicans have had ample opportunity to pass life saving common sense gun laws - both in Wisconsin and in D.C. - and they have not done so. Who is protecting our nation's children? If our current lawmakers won't, we need to replace them.

We must fight for our children. We can't wait for someone else to come along. It has to be us.

Together. Now. We are the cavalry.

And - not to scare you, but if we aren't the cavalry, then there is no cavalry coming.

So please sign up to talk to voters this weekend (Oct 24 & 25) or next weekend (Oct 31 & Nov 1). To turn out every last voter, we'll also be canvassing November 2nd and 3rd.

Training is provided - you DON'T need to be a pro. Tell your story. I know you have 2-3 hours to give for a canvassing shift. Sign up now. Bring a buddy.

If you want to come help us in Whitewater or Fort Atkinson or Elkhorn, please click over to the Sojourn Connections page to find the direct links to sign up. https://www.campsojourn.com/sojournconnections

To find shifts anywhere in Wisconsin, go to https://www.mobilize.us/ and use the Search feature to find events near you.

Please help, we need you.

Canvass on! Sojourn on!

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