Our youngest son loved to play soccer from a very early age. One year, the annual end-of-season potluck dinner featured a sports reporter from a local TV station. Besides congratulating and encouraging the kids, he left them with a message I have never forgotten. He very dramatically talked about Winston Churchill who, when the world was under attack from an evil leader with a demonic set of beliefs, repeated over and over: “Never, never, never, never, never give up.” 

If you are like me, when you are learning something new or trying a new behavior, it is easy to decide to give up. And, there are certainly times when it makes sense to give up, to surrender. 

I believe there is too much at stake in the 2024 election to give up. I believe every vote will count, and a handful of votes will decide who will be the next president. Even if that turns out not to be true, the 2016 election tells us it is best to act as if this race is very close, and every vote counts. 

This post is an invitation to you and everyone you know. Ask yourself what is yours to do to ensure that voter turnout exceeds all expectations. Promote people voting for a future based on hope and a desire for a more just and fair country. Last week I offered some examples of actions that can be taken right up to election day. This week, based on my recent experience and guidance from readers, I offer concrete actions to increase voter turnout for Harris and Democratic candidates generally. 

Here are a few actions you can take today and every day until November 5^th to increase turnout and ensure our country “does not go back”:

1. If you are a praying person and/or believe in mindfulness or meditation, pray for the Harris-Walz ticket and for all candidates working for a more just world. Ask what is yours to do to ensure high voter turnout of those committed to moving away from politics that is based on fear, greed and racism. 
2. Sign up to be part of a phone canvassing effort. I am doing it despite misgivings about “bothering” people. The good news is the calling technology is vastly improved since 2020. I signed up with Silver Spring Progressive for an evening session. There was a 15-minute training and orientation for everyone followed by more training for those new or not very experienced. There is a simple script; the calling service puts you in touch with people who are home and known to be active voters. In an hour I reached 25 or 30 people. For some, I helped them learn where their early voting site was and for others, I clarified who was running for Congress in their district. When done, I felt energized; I was being helpful to voter turnout, and it was a good use of my time. I will continue to do phone canvassing.  
3.  Consider on-site canvassing in swing states. There are opportunities for me and our neighbors to hop on a free bus and head to VA, NC or PA for a day of canvassing to get out the vote.
4. Use your phone address book to call or text people you know, and encourage them to vote; also encourage them to call or text their family and friends. Voting can be like going to the dentist. We plan to do it, but something gets in the way. That’s why asking about a voting plan, and encouraging early voting or mail-in voting is so important to voter turnout. There is user-friendly technology called REACH to help with messaging and using your address book. Visit the REACH Guide to get started. 
5. Volunteer to provide transportation to the polls for early voting and election day. 
6. Support the Harris campaign, Senate, House and local elections that are close, and where you think your contribution will make a difference.

I believe deeply that the best way I can advance racial justice in America is to do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as President.  

While it is impossible to know what polls, if any, to believe, the Trump threat is real. His presidency will continue and expand overt racism, disrespect and harm to women, immigrants and people of color. He will also seek to advance white male supremacy by the economic elite and to punish people who disagree with him. 

As hard as it is to imagine, this is a close election. Every vote will count. While I am a long way from being a political activist, I believe it is my responsibility to do everything I can to ensure that Kamala Harris is our next President and has a Democratic-controlled House and Senate with which to work.  

Thanks for reading and considering what action you can take today to increase voter turnout, and ensure America moves forward, not backward.