A Night of Campaigning in Queens
On a cool autumn evening, in the heart of Woodside, Queens, a pair of enthusiastic campaigners are hard at work. Their objective is to spread the word about their chosen candidate for the upcoming mayoral election—a man who's been labeled as a radical leftist by his opponents. Their mission is to gauge the mood of the neighborhood and win over more supporters.
Woodside is a diverse, mostly working-class community, with large Asian and Hispanic populations. Surprisingly, in the last election, this area saw a notable shift towards conservative ideologies. Now, the campaigners aim to understand why and to change minds if possible.
The Canvassers
Elly Mui, a seasoned campaigner, takes the lead. She is paired with a newbie, Michael, who prefers to keep his last name to himself. Both are armed with vibrant blue flyers printed in six languages: English, Spanish, Bangla, Chinese, Arabic, and Urdu.
The candidate they are promoting has made a point of reaching out to conservative voters, trying to comprehend their concerns and respond with viable solutions. This approach has won him admiration from Mui, who has been part of the campaign since the beginning.
The Door-to-Door Journey
As they approach houses, Mui knocks on all four corners of the doors, ensuring the knock is audible. At one house, a young woman wearing a pink hijab answers, her face lighting up when she hears about the candidate. She says she's going to vote for him, attracted by his promise to make city buses free—a boon for her as a college student.
Moving on to the next house, another woman wearing a floral-patterned purple hijab greets them. She admits she voted for the candidate in the primaries and plans to do so again in the general election.
The campaigners use an app that helps them identify potential Democratic voters, ensuring their efforts are targeted. But they also seize opportunities when they present themselves. For example, when a woman in a black sweater emerges from a house, Mui quickly approaches her.
The woman is uncertain about the candidate but admits she's heard a lot of younger people discussing him. She's impressed by his appearance on a popular news program, and when Mui highlights that he could be the city's first Muslim mayor, the woman agrees that it would be a good thing.
The Challenge of Winning Over Voters
Their journey continues, and sometimes, the reactions they receive are less enthusiastic. One man, an eligible voter for 32 years, says he's never registered and has no faith in politicians. He shares his frustration at losing his job after 15 years with the same company and struggling to find new employment.
Despite his initial reluctance, he ends up engaging in a lively discussion with Mui, even declaring his support for socialist policies. His sudden outburst makes the campaigners laugh, and they encourage him to register to vote, given the presence of a Democratic socialist on the ballot.
Their final stop for the night is at the home of a man who immigrated from India. He vehemently refuses to support the candidate, accusing him of exploiting his identity for political gain and holding anti-Indian views. Mui tries to engage him in conversation, but he remains firm in his stance, stating he's voted for conservative candidates in the past.
However, after a lengthy discussion, the man asks for a flyer, seemingly intrigued by Mui's positivity about the candidate.
Politics is Messy, Fluid, and Emotional
Observing Mui's interactions with voters reveals the complex, fluid, and emotional nature of American politics. People don't fit into tidy boxes, their experiences and beliefs vary widely. It's clear that dissatisfaction with the current political system is strong and can potentially draw voters towards both conservative and radical candidates.
As the evening in Woodside winds down, the campaigners look back on their efforts. Some conversations have been challenging, some rewarding. But through it all, they've gained a deeper understanding of the community and the political landscape. And they remain hopeful, ready for the next day's campaign work.