In the days leading up to the election, Morgan Hartley, a field organizer, is right where you’d expect him to be: knocking on doors. Volunteering in Colorado, Hartley has maintained robust political involvement after serving as a campaign manager and organizer in Iowa and California. Animated and seemingly unphased in the final leg of a brutal electoral season, Hartley first became involved with politics through a chance meeting in an elevator near the UN Plaza two years ago. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, Hartley was on a Greyhound bus to the Hawkeye State for his first stint as a field organizer. Years later, Hartley has participated in a city council run and a school board campaign, and now hits the pavement for the Denver mayor’s office.

Especially if you live in California or Colorado, our nation has never wandered so far in direct democracy. With so many options, offices, and amendments on the table, the first thing you can do to give to your society is invest a couple of hours to learn what they’re about, even if it’s only three or four of the items. But especially educate yourself on the amendments. There are so many complex processes that go into them. Look at the long-term impacts.

Talk with your friends about what they think. But also, try to find someone who might not agree with you. Offer to bring their ballot in. Talking across party lines is so important to us in this country right now.

The further you go down the ballot, the more access you have, I’ve realized. I’d encourage you to call the office of some of these candidates; depending on who you’re reaching out to, you might actually get the candidate themselves. And if you find someone you like, you might be able to knock on doors for them.

In the days leading up to the election, Morgan Hartley, a field organizer, is right where you’d expect him to be: knocking on doors. Volunteering in Colorado, Hartley has maintained robust political involvement after serving as a campaign manager and organizer in Iowa and California. Animated and seemingly unphased in the final leg of a brutal electoral season, Hartley first became involved with politics through a chance meeting in an elevator near the UN Plaza two years ago. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, Hartley was on a Greyhound bus to the Hawkeye State for his first stint as a field organizer. Years later, Hartley has participated in a city council run and a school board campaign, and now hits the pavement for the Denver mayor’s office.

Especially if you live in California or Colorado, our nation has never wandered so far in direct democracy. With so many options, offices, and amendments on the table, the first thing you can do to give to your society is invest a couple of hours to learn what they’re about, even if it’s only three or four of the items. But especially educate yourself on the amendments. There are so many complex processes that go into them. Look at the long-term impacts.

Talk with your friends about what they think. But also, try to find someone who might not agree with you. Offer to bring their ballot in. Talking across party lines is so important to us in this country right now.

The further you go down the ballot, the more access you have, I’ve realized. I’d encourage you to call the office of some of these candidates; depending on who you’re reaching out to, you might actually get the candidate themselves. And if you find someone you like, you might be able to knock on doors for them.