LOCAL PHONE BANKS ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO GET OUT AND VOTE

There was a final push to encourage Central Valley voters to get to the polls for this midterm election. Local grassroots organization Faith in the Valley hosted one of many phone banks near the Fresno State campus at the St. Paul Newman Center. Community volunteers called fellow Fresno residents, answering last-minute voting questions.

“I think it’s extremely important that every citizen votes and knows what they’re voting for,” said one of the volunteers.

Lead community organizer Lety Valencia also got on the phone to make sure she worked right next to them. “(We’re) making sure we’re building those relationships and incorporating getting people out to vote as part of our strategy.”

Some of the members realized they had to change their strategies to get in touch with potential voters. “Our generation, we don’t listen to voicemails very much, so I’ll call and if I get the voicemail, I’ll just hang up. I already have a copy and paste text that I have like ‘Hey Joe’ or ‘Hey Sally,'” said volunteer David Gracia.

Although the phone lines were busy, everyone was encouraged to vote.