We’ll say one thing about this warm, dry autumn weather – it’s excellent for canvassing. This fall, our voter registration assistance teams are taking advantage of unseasonably warm conditions in eastern Nebraska to help register voters in time for the 2024 election.
Our efforts to ensure everyone has a voice are accompanied by stories of excitement, surprise, and determination. Here are a few snapshots of what our teams have experienced in the field over the past few weeks as they assisted thousands of new Nebraska voters. Enjoy!
›› As part of a day when our crews collected 212 registration cards, Lou, one of our canvassers, met a woman in her mid-60s. She had never registered to vote. After a thoughtful conversation, she decided that this election was the right time to make her voice heard, and she registered for the first time. Meanwhile, Sylina had a heartwarming experience with a family celebrating their son’s 18th birthday. They organized a big event to get him registered to vote and celebrate the milestone together as a family.
›› On another day, we collected 160 cards. Jim, canvassing at a local gas station, spoke with a man who had already updated his registration, but his 18-year-old daughter was in the car and hadn’t yet registered. Thanks to Jim’s encouragement, she stepped out of the vehicle and registered immediately. D’Angelo, canvassing at a plasma center, found a receptive audience. Many people there expressed their motivation to vote this year, driven by a desire to elect leaders supporting them on health care and fair wages so they wouldn’t have to donate plasma to make ends meet.
›› As part of a day when the team collected 186 cards. D’Angelo connected with a man born in 1967 who had never registered to vote. After a meaningful conversation about the importance of his vote, the man finally took the step and registered. Catrina also had a special interaction with a mother who was out walking with her 7-year-old daughter. The young girl was excited that her mom decided to register, reminding us that setting an example for the next generation is just as important as participating ourselves.”
›› First-time canvasser Atarra, working on her very first day, led her team by collecting 19 cards. She loved the job and made a significant impact, encouraging many new voters to register. Meanwhile, Ruben and Sylina worked together, bringing in a combined 45 cards.
›› Every day brings new stories and new connections. Alia, one of our canvassers, spoke with her Uber driver, who had just moved to Omaha. She explained the voter registration process, and by the end of the ride, the driver had signed up to vote in Nebraska. At another stop, Ernest convinced a cook at a Burger King who said he never believed in voting to reconsider. After a deep conversation, the cook registered to vote for the first time in his life.”
›› We also met people who had tried registering but encountered roadblocks. Alia helped Lori, a recent Omaha transplant from California, who had struggled to submit her registration online. Grateful for the in-person assistance, Lori successfully registered. Similarly, Catrina helped a woman who had moved from Arizona and procrastinated updating her registration. She walked away feeling relieved and thankful.
›› Our team’s efforts don’t just result in individual registrations but also spark excitement and reflection on civic engagement. Ernest spoke with a woman who had never registered to vote, but after realizing they were born in the same year, they connected personally, and she finally decided to register. Catrina also enjoyed registering a newly naturalized citizen, ensuring her voice would be heard for the first time in the upcoming election.
Our canvassing teams are meeting Nebraskans where they are, sharing the importance of civic participation, and helping them register to vote. As we continue these efforts, we remain inspired by the stories from the field—stories that remind us that every registration card represents a voice ready to be heard in 2024.
Our dedicated voter registration assistance teams continue their work, and the momentum and enthusiasm are growing. If you haven’t registered to vote yet or know someone who needs to, now is the time to ensure you’re ready for the 2024 election. You can register online until 11:59 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 18, and in person at your county election commission until 6 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 25. Get registered and vote, Nebraska!
– Anecdotes assembled by Quinn Knispel
