How Do I Talk to Voters?

Post 1 of Many

I get this question all the time. So many people want to go out and reach voters, (YAY!!!!) and they don’t believe that they know what to say, nor how to say it. They are unsure of how to act, what to wear, and an opening line. This is an introductory post for people who are new to talking to voters. In later posts, we’ll look at what to say – this is just how to get ready to talk to voters!

You can do this. Honest.

You may be shy, you may feel unsure, and this might be your first time.

So, let’s start at the beginning. Have you EVER had a conversation with ANYONE on ANY topic? Every once in a blue moon, I meet someone who has never had a real conversation. Their lifetime interactions with others have been limited to “yes”, “no” and monosyllabic responses, and they honestly do not know how to express themselves to others. I mostly met these people when I was in private practice, and this is an issue that needs to be discussed with a medical professional, as there are multiple potential causes.

But let’s assume you HAVE had a conversation. With your parents, your siblings, your kids, your grandkids, your co-workers, your friends, your neighbors. Was it hard? Were you able to say things, listen to things, and have a back-and-forth? I bet you have.

This is no different. You will use your words, you will smile, you will make eye contact, you will nod your head.

Don’t make it harder than that.

I’m currently on my fourth, disparate, career. One of those careers has been, on and off for the past 30 years, as a technical trainer. To be a successful technical trainer, you need to know two things: your material, and your audience. It is no different in terms of talking to people about politics: you need to know your material, and you need to know your audience.

Knowing your material is the easy part. It is something you can do on your own: read issue papers from candidates, learn everything you can ABOUT the candidates, read opposition research. If someone asks you something and you don’t know the answer, all you have to say is that you don’t know, but that you’ll do the research and get back to them. And then take their number, do the research and call them back within 24 hours.

It pays to have, on your computer, your phone, and your iPad, a list of source links so that you can easily find answers to common questions people may ask you, like:

• Do I have to be registered to vote?

• I’m new to the area, do you know where my polling place is located?

• What hours are the polls open?

• How do I get a mail-in ballot? Where can I drop it off?

• Who are my local candidates this year?

• What ballot initiatives will I see?

The more you know, the more confident you will feel.

In addition, people, especially low-information voters, will have heard inaccurate information. Watch your local news a few evenings, and you’ll hear the lies from the other side in the ads. (They like to put political ads up during the evening news.) Write down the falsehoods, and research the correct information. Again, the more you know…

The next thing to conquer is BEING APPROACHABLE. I’m the kind of person that people talk to. Complete strangers will talk to me in all sorts of locations. I have no idea why this might be except that I am eminently approachable. People on airplanes, sitting next to me at a lunch counter, and standing on a line, have told me their life stories and their deepest secrets.

Part of the reason for that is because of a physical limitation I have, which I use to my advantage.  I was born with prosopagnosia. I can see a face, but it doesn’t register with me. Therefore, when I meet someone, I look for things that are identifiable. Often the first thing I say to someone is along the lines of “Wow – those are great earrings.” “I really like your sweater.” “Those are cool socks.”

I automatically say something nice to people if it’s the first time I’m meeting them, because it gives me time to assess if they are taller/shorter than I am, what their hair color is, ANY physical characteristic that might help me if we meet again. This puts people at ease. And it’s easy to practice. Go to a parking lot at a strip mall, or a supermarket, and look at people - compliment them on something. Yes, out of the blue. You’re going to be talking to strangers — this will help you learn to feel comfortable doing so.

When I am greeting someone I know, I’ll say something so I can hear their voice and hopefully identify them that way. True story: I was meeting my sister-in-law (who I know really well) outside of a dead mall a few months ago. She drives a RED car, and I was watching for that. A BLUE car pulled up, a woman came over to me, and I had no idea who she was until I heard her voice. It was my sister-in-law. You likely do not have prosopagnosia - when you see someone you know, you’ll be able to smile in recognition, and start a conversation. And remember, you might not talk to people only once - I will try my best to make you a Block Captain.

The reason I point all this out to you is because when YOU meet people, look at them as people. As unique individuals. There is something nice you can say to start a conversation. It will make you approachable. And remember to be sincere in what you say, and say it with a smile.

Being approachable will make people WANT to talk to you.

It’s a skill and you can learn it.

Next up: what to wear?

Wear clothing appropriate for the situation. If you are going to go door to door, wear sneakers (your feet will thank you), jeans or casual pants, and a tee shirt. Don’t wear a suit, don’t wear a tie, don’t be a slob, but don’t overdress. True story: I knocked a new neighbor’s door a few weeks ago, and she yelled: “I’ll be right out, I need to put pants on.” Take people as you find them. As an aside, she’s new to the neighborhood, and she didn’t know where our polling place is, nor what time the polls will be open. She wants to vote in person on Election Day, and bring her son, who will be voting for the first time.

If you’re going to talk to voters in public, again, wear normal clothes. You may or may not want to wear a slogan tee shirt. If you’re new, probably don’t do that.

Avoid wearing perfume, cologne or aftershave.

If you wear make-up, let it be daytime make-up: this is not the time for magnetic eyelashes.

You want to look as “normal” as possible. And you want to be comfortable: the more comfortable you are physically, the better you’ll feel all around!

That should get you prepped! Future posts in this series will include:

• What is the first thing I say at a door?

• What is the first thing I say in a public space?

• Should I practice? (Spoiler alert: YES!)

• I live in a red area: should I still talk to people?

• I live in a bright blue area, is it really worth it for me to talk to voters?

If you have specific topics you want me to write about, put them in the comments. I am committed to helping as many people as possible out talking to voters. THIS IS HOW WE WIN!!!