Our View: Answer the door; have a conversation

We’ve been seeing candidates for public office, or their representatives, showing up at our front doors at odd times: evenings, Saturday afternoons, just about anytime really. Sometimes it’s a volunteer. Sometimes it’s the actual candidate. The pitch is uniform: “Hi, I’m so-and-so and I’m running for you-name-it. Are there any special concerns you have in this election? I’d like your vote.”

We encourage you to answer the door when these candidates knock and spend a socially-distanced and masked minute or two with them. Let them know what your concerns are. Ask them questions: Where do they stand on the issues that matter to you? How will they vote on a certain proposal? Why should I vote for you?

These are always good questions, and the candidate should have answers.

We know the interruption can be a bit annoying. It’s rarely at a convenient time. But we still encourage you to participate when that doorbell rings.

Who knows? A conversation might break out. And in these isolating pandemic times, we can all afford some time for outside stimulation.

Door knocking might be just about the only time you get to interact with your government elected leaders. Once elected, an official’s time is better spent on the job, not continuing to campaign. That makes it more difficult to connect with leaders, which makes the door knock that much more valuable.

Candidates should not underestimate the value of door knocking. Making that personal connection, and plea for a vote, is very effective. It’s harder for voters to believe some of the slander that gets thrown around campaigns these days when they’ve actually had a chance to meet and get introduced to you.

Door knocking works.

In this modern day and age of electronic communications, with everyone glued to their cell phones and tablets, good, old-fashioned face-to-face communication can’t be beat.

Open the door when they knock. Tell them what you think. It’s a great opportunity for both the voter and the candidate.