As someone who’s spent countless hours in the field, knocking on doors, organizing communities, and building the infrastructure of voter outreach, I want to pause this election season to offer a heartfelt thank you to the often-overlooked heroes of our democracy: our election workers, community organizers, campaign staff, and, especially, our volunteers. These are the people who bring democracy to your doorstep—sometimes literally—putting in long hours with little recognition and, often, facing outright hostility for their efforts.

In the age of caller ID, Ring doorbells, and an increased reluctance from many to engage in the political process, this work has become exponentially harder. Yet, despite all this, these dedicated individuals are the engine behind every election. Without their tireless effort to reach, educate, and motivate voters, our democratic system simply wouldn’t function.

The Invisible, Often Thankless Work of Democracy

I’ve seen firsthand how complex and, yes, even discouraging, this work can be. As a field organizer and campaigns director, I’ve logged untold hours on the phone and countless steps canvassing neighborhoods, making face-to-face connections with voters. Unfortunately, many people don’t see this behind-the-scenes effort—or understand the drive it takes to keep going when many voters see you as an annoyance at best. And yet, it’s these conversations, these very moments of connection, that can make all the difference in educating voters on issues and candidates. They’re the heart of an informed voting populace.

When you hear campaign calls or get that knock on your door, remember: those messages represent someone’s deep commitment to the democratic process. Volunteers, sometimes even taking unpaid time off work, are giving up weekends, family time, and energy. Meanwhile, many campaign staffers put in 65-hour weeks, often for modest pay, all because they believe in this civic mission.

Why Outreach Is Getting Harder (and More Necessary)

Here’s the reality: modern technology is making direct voter outreach more difficult than ever. As people become more selective with what enters their lives—through filters, “no soliciting” signs, and limited patience for political messages—campaigns must increase their outreach just to reach a fraction of the people they once could. The numbers speak for themselves: a 3-5% success rate for voter contact by phone, with slightly higher results (12-15%) for direct canvassing. To make a meaningful impact, campaigners must ramp up efforts, which, yes, can sometimes add to the frustrations of already-engaged voters.

This is the reality we face. Democracy relies on creating an informed electorate, and that only happens when there’s someone on the other side of the door, the phone, or the text. And yet, we’ve walled ourselves off. Each “no soliciting” sign, each ignored call, and each unengaged interaction increases the divide, driving more frustration, more misunderstanding, and ultimately, more disengagement. We can’t expect a healthy democracy if we make it impossible for voters to receive factual, in-depth information about who and what they’re voting for.

To Our Campaign Staff, Volunteers, and Election Workers: Thank You

The truth is, these challenges can make the work incredibly frustrating. I’ve had doors slammed in my face, been yelled at, and even threatened with physical violence. But I’ve also had some of the most meaningful and honest conversations in my life during these interactions—experiences that renewed my faith in our communities and in the value of person-to-person outreach. I believe, in my bones, that breaking down these artificial walls and having real, respectful discussions with our neighbors is the only way forward. If we want to bridge the divides that characterize our current political landscape, we need to start at the grassroots level, with conversations in every neighborhood and every town.

So to all of you who worked, volunteered, and sacrificed during this election cycle, you have my deepest gratitude. You truly are warriors for democracy, standing firm in the face of indifference and adversity. Regardless of political leanings, your contribution to our democratic experiment is invaluable. Thank you for choosing to invest in this process, for standing up for our collective voice, and for pushing us all forward.

I hope that, with time, more people will understand the significance of your work. Perhaps this perspective will encourage them to rethink how they engage with you—whether it’s over the phone, at their door, or in the community. We all benefit from your dedication to our democratic values, and for that, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.

An Invitation for Reflection

Finally, I urge all of us to reconsider how we engage with the people who dedicate themselves to the democratic process. The next time a campaign volunteer, staffer, or election worker reaches out to you, remember they are there to support something bigger than any one candidate or policy. They are there to uphold the ideal of informed participation, to make sure we all have the opportunity to hear, think, and vote with clarity.

Our democracy is fragile, and it depends on us all. Let’s work together to ensure it thrives.