The following article was published in the December 2, 2025 edition of dcDIGEST.
Have you ever volunteered to door-knock or has a Democratic canvassing team ever knocked on your door? If your answer is YES, then you already know why we were so inspired by what volunteer canvassers shared about their efforts in support of local candidates running in 2025’s elections.
One story stood out in particular: a two-person Middletown team who canvassed their own neighborhood—Election District ED03. Their mission? Knock on the doors of every single registered Democrat before the November 2025 vote. That meant 120 doors—and they did it!
Shown above: Ed Kluener and Pam Guyot, Town of Middletown Democratic Committee members representing Election District 3.
Their strategy focused on connection:
Phase One: A letter was mailed to each household introducing the canvassers as neighbors—not strangers—and offering an easy way to reach out with questions or concerns.
Phase Two: An in-person visit was made. The goal wasn’t to pressure, but to listen, talk, and build community:
• Do voters know the Democratic slate?
• Do they have questions?
• What issues matter most to them right now?
And for anyone not home, the canvassers left a personal handwritten note on the back of a copy of the original introductory letter.
What they experienced was powerful:
Warm welcomes everywhere. In a year marked by frustration, exhaustion, and uncertainty, door-knockers were embraced—as neighbors. Repeatedly, voters reassured the same thing: “We would never miss a vote.”
A memorable moment deep in the woods. After trudging up a rough path to a remote cabin, the homeowner burst into laughter when he spotted our volunteers: “You must be Democrats! Who else comes all this way just to remind me to vote?”
Picking up right where past conversations left off. At one house, the resident recognized a canvasser from previous years and just continued sharing her family story—like catching up with an old friend.
Doors—and sometimes living rooms—opened. Some invited the canvassers inside to rest. Every visit—almost without exception—radiated community, mutual respect, and shared concern. Much as it did in years past, but this year it seemed even more focused … we are all searching for ways to move forward.
When the team returned to Dem Headquarters on Main Street in Margaretville after door-knocking, they were electric—proud of the connections they’d made, energized by the conversations, and deeply moved by the kindness they received. The day affirmed what being a Democrat means at its core:
We show up for one another. We know we can meet every challenge. And we are already building momentum—together.
Thinking About Canvassing Next Election? … Now’s the Time!
It’s not too early to start imagining a canvassing team for the 2026 primaries and elections. If you’re interested—or excited—tell us! Reach out and we’ll help you get started.
Grab a friend or two. Pick a neighborhood. Map your strategy.
That part is fun—and it really makes a differenc