Republican, Democratic volunteers in Onondaga County make final effort to get out the vote

Like elsewhere around the country, Republicans and Democrats in Onondaga County are making a last effort to get out the vote in the week before the election. Volunteers are making calls, signs and traveling many miles to get their candidates elected.

Michael Koval of Syracuse has been volunteering for the Hillary Clinton campaign for about a month now, sometimes five days a week. On Monday, Koval and the other volunteers were calling Democrats and independent voters in North Carolina.

“A lot of them are just very thankful for the time that we’re donating to the campaign and the support that we’re giving them makes them feel like they’re not marginalized in this election,” Koval said.

Recently, Koval went on a bus trip with other volunteers to Scranton, Pennsylvania to canvas for Clinton. This is the first time Koval has volunteered for a campaign and he said it was something he was compelled to do.    

“I personally have so much at stake in this election," Koval said. "I have a lot to lose as a member of the LGBT community. As somebody who has gotten healthcare because of Obamacare, I stand to lose that if Hillary doesn’t win.”

Credit Jim Zecca

At Onondaga County Republican headquarters, Chairman Tom Dadey said volunteers are calling likely county voters on behalf of candidates up and down the ticket including Donald Trump, Rep. John Kakto and Assemblyman Gary Finch.

“We actually have some folks that are doing some door-to-door for our candidates. We have some volunteers assembling signs,” Dadey said. "A lot of activity and a lot of interest right now."

And recently, Dadey said their efforts have been helped by another twist: the FBI reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email server.

“Given what the FBI director has rolled out last Friday, we’re seeing more enthusiasm and more excitement in the presidential race, as we get closer to Election Day," Dadey said.

And with time running out, both parties are hoping their volunteers can turn that enthusiasm into actual votes for their candidates.