Text banking

Text  banking is  a  method  of communication used by campaigns to alert voters in the area with information about an upcoming election. “If you have somebody who is more introverted, something like text banking … is really ideal because you do not have to talk to anybody, you do not have to show up on anyone’s doorstep, and yet it is still an effective way of communicating with voters,” said Mike Amarilio, chief of staff for Jonathan Carroll, Illinois state representative for the 57th district.

Canvassing

Students of any age can participate in canvassing by knocking on doors with information about upcoming elections or specific candidates. While working with the Northfield Township Democratic party, senior Aaron Taber’s main responsibility was canvassing to inform voters about the Democratic candidates in an upcoming election, Taber said. “I think [canvassing] is really important, especially as kids,” said Taber. “It’s something we can do.”

Campaign intern

Students can intern at a campaign office if they are interested in working with a specific candidate. Senior Luke Nelson’s experiences at the office of Brad Schneider, U.S. representative for the 10th district, have taught him that students can make a difference in an election, Nelson said. “In Iowa for a congressional election last year … I think the difference was 12 votes between the winner and the loser,” said Nelson. “I can knock on 12 doors. I can call 12 people to get out and vote. We can make the difference.”

Election judge

Juniors and seniors can work at polling sites as student election judges. They are paid for this work and are primarily responsible for handing out and processing ballots on election day. “Coming in on the other side [of the polls] and actually seeing how the election process works, whether you’re interested in politics or not, it is a great experience,” said Carita Wise, Cook County student coordinator.