Is Individual Local Election Activism Worthwhile?

[frazzled]

10. I think the word "individual" is confusing

and might make people think they should just go out and knock on doors themselves, outside the directives of a particular campaign or organization effort. I would highly advise against that. When you volunteer to canvass or phone bank for a campaign, you are generally given some modest training (what to say, what not to say, how to respond to various situations), and a script to read or adapt. Also, you don't go door to door to try to convince people: you're going to get specific information for the campaign: who is and isn't supporting your candidate ... so that they CAN contact supporters when it's time for GOTV and coordinate with poll watchers on election day to mark off names of professed supporters who have completed voting.

So with that proviso--don't try this at home on your own, kids--of course: local activism is not only worthwhile; it's essential. Do it wherever you can.