by Jaime Kaiser, Dayenu’s Digital Communications Manager
The Sunday afternoon before Election Day, I had the opportunity to do something I’ve never done before: canvassing registered voters! In this case, voters who matter a lot: people who care about climate, don’t always get out to vote, in the key battleground city of Milwaukee, in the key state of Wisconsin.
I participated as part of Dayenu’s Chutzpah 2024 campaign with about a dozen fellow canvassers. We partnered with with Faith in Place, a Midwest affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light dedicated to environmental justice.
While I was initially apprehensive to approach people in their homes about the 2024 election, I felt encouraged and supported by the cadre of progressive organizers who volunteered that day. We all seemed to understand how high the stakes of the election were — and the power of every vote to make a difference.
My initial fears around the potentially awkward or tense moments around talking with strangers about politics quickly dissipated, thanks in large part to the confidence of the experienced, skilled canvassers I was paired up with.
Some rain put a damper on our route, but spirits remained high as we made our way through our list of addresses. And we finished off a hard afternoon’s work with yummy lattes at a nearby cafe where we debriefed as a group about how things went.
Overall, even though the outcomes of this election pose real risks for continued progress on climate, particularly at the federal level, I felt warmed by the fact that our efforts that day built the kind of community and connections that will sustain our movement for a just, livable future for years to come — no matter who is in office.
Jaime Kaiser
Jaime Kaiser, Dayenu's Digital Communications Manager, believes in the power of storytelling to inform, inspire and mobilize. Her media expertise has roots in public radio, where she produced and edited dozens of stories for a weekly PRX show about the environment. Jaime was previously a lead producer for Post Script Media, a climate podcast startup. She has collaborated on climate and clean energy content with a range of other digital media companies. Jaime has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Brandeis University.