Election 2024: How YOU Can Help End Trump's Political Career
There’s No Excuse for Not Getting Involved
This is my quick guide to 2024 get-out-the-vote volunteer opportunities, with a focus on Northwest Philadelphia, although with the links below you can find opportunities anywhere.
It may have been Mark Twain who said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” But my grumpy 2024 election year version has been “everybody talks about Trump, but no one does anything about him.”
This is one of my pet peeves: I listen to a lot of people complain about Trump who don’t seem to be doing anything about him. Even now, less than two months before the election, there’s a lot to be done.
There was a time when election volunteering—which for me meant poll watching—really didn’t seem to make any difference. As an election activist friend put it, “I got a lot of reading done and helped folks find the bathrooms!” Poll watching is still an option, but there are numerous other effective ways—both in-person and remotely—to be involved in this election in Pennsylvania, which is likely to be a key state in the outcome.
The organizing for these activities is mostly online, and several of these opportunities explain why what they do is effective—yes, an evidence-based approach. They also offer trainings and information sessions, in-person and online, for whatever volunteer activity you might take up.
And don’t forget that these efforts need financial support, too, so even if you can’t volunteer, consider making a contribution to support this important work. Those “donate” buttons are easy to find.
Join the Harris-Walz Campaign
To start at the top, the Harris-Walz campaign is coordinating a wide range of activities, including local door-to-door canvassing. Go to the Harris for President sign-up page, or go directly to the Take Action in Pennsylvania page for a regularly updated listing of events and activities, searchable by zip code. These listings include not only upcoming activities such as door-to-door canvassing efforts, but also include instructions on using social media to share your support.
The campaign has opened 50 offices throughout Pennsylvania, but finding local campaign offices is a little tricky—so much of the organizing now takes place online. But in Northwest Philadelphia, the Germantown office is at 400 W. Chelten Avenue (corner of Morris Street and Chelten Avenue) and the Manayunk office is at 161 Leverington Steet.
The Harris-Walz campaign is using the Reach Progressive Organizing app, and most of the volunteer web pages will lead you to it. The Democratic National Committee has a useful guide to the app as well. It makes it easy to notifications and keep up with volunteer activities and options.
Non-Partisan Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts
The deadline for registering to vote in Pennsylvania is about a month away as I write this (Monday, October 21, 2024).
You can find all the information (state-by-state) any voter might need about registration, voting requirements, and schedules (including mail-in and absentee ballots) at Vote.org—or go directly to their Pennsylvania: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links page. Vote.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan voting registration and get-out-the-vote technology platform, working to remove barriers that keep voters from making their voices heard at the ballot box.
Voters with Disabilities
There’s a degree of invisibility when it comes to the voting rights and people with disabilities, so be aware of Vote.gov, which provides an excellent overview on the voting rights of people with disabilities. Another resource, VotetheSpectrum.org, also provides information on voting rights of people with disabilities (specifically, autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities) including a Plain Language Guide to Voting (English and Spanish versions) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Innovative Canvassing Options
An intriguing canvassing opportunity is provided by Changing the Conversation with its “CTC for Progress,” which has developed a highly effective “deep canvassing” approach to reach irregular voters. Currently, CTC appears to be canvassing only in West Philadelphia on weekends. Before joining them, you’ll need to attend a “Story Workshop” where you’ll craft your personal story and learn how to use that story to motivate voters. As CTC explains, “We don’t just hand you a list of voters and a script. Our dedicated coaching team equips you with the tools you need to reach and activate unlikely voters through meaningful, effective conversations.” (CTC was featured in a 2016 New York Times Magazine story, “How Do You Change Voters’ Minds? Have a Conversation.”)
Other volunteer opportunities, including canvassing and making phone calls to neighbors, are available with Philly Neighborhood Networks (using the Action Network platform).
Mobilize has many opportunity listings including voter registration, texting to voters, and upcoming canvassing efforts.
Letter Writing, Anyone?
With VoteForward, you can get involved from the comfort of your own home. You’ll need to sign up online to be approved to participate in a letter writing campaign to fellow citizens who have historically been underrepresented in the electorate. While some scripts are provided, there’s also an option for you to personalize them. In its campaign to reach unregistered voters in Pennsylvania, VoteForward notes that volunteers have adopted 16,410 voters in this campaign, comprising 55 percent of the 29,994 targeted voters. Lots more to be done!
Voter Protection Activities
The 2024 Pennsylvania Democratic Coordinated Campaign is working to protect voting rights and make sure that every voter’s voice is heard this November. There’s an array of volunteer options, both remote and in-person, including serving as an election day poll observer, early vote monitor, and ballot canvasser.
Philadelphia’s Satellite Election Offices
Be aware, too, of that the Philadelphia Office of City Commissioners has been setting up Satellite Election Offices (SEOs) in each of the City Council districts. The closest location in Northwest Philadelphia is 5301 Chew Avenue. These SEOs are where voters can register, obtain mail-in voting forms, and even complete and submit the forms. The City Commissioners Office provides a searchable map of locations for SEOs as well as ballot drop-off locations.
If you have addition resources or information about election volunteering you’d like me to share, please comment on this essay or contact me directly.
