My name is Sara Eisemann and I grew up in Manchester, Vermont. In 2008, I was a college freshman, and everyone around me was really excited to vote for the first time, but I was still 17. I was completely devastated that I couldn’t vote for Obama in the election, but that only lasted about 10 minutes before I realized there were tons of ways for me to make a difference. I got involved with the group on campus, and on Election Day, I drove up to New Hampshire, and went around helping out with the get-out-the-vote effort. It was just one day, but I really felt like I had been a part of something great. I was watching the results for the counties come in and I thought to myself, “I was there! I brought those people to the polls!”

I just graduated from Tufts University in Boston this spring and now I’m working as one of the fall fellows for the campaign, so this is my first real job out of college. I realized that if I did anything else this fall other than work on the campaign, I would regret it. I’m working full time for the campaign, which means every hour of every day I’m thinking about how I can make a difference.

Volunteer

My name is Stacy Keller. I studied at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia and I just finished getting my master’s degree at Gonzaga University. I’ve always been involved in politics—mostly local politics when I was younger. My dad used to take my sisters and me around to knock on doors when we were little. This election, I knew I wanted to do everything I could to help President Obama so I got involved with Obama for America. I started helping on the Ohio side of things because Vice President Biden had an event at a car dealership in Ohio and some of us West Virginians came to join them.

I can literally throw a stone out my window and hit Ohio, so I’ve been canvassing there almost every weekend. It’s where I feel I can make the biggest difference. After all, no Republican has ever been elected president without winning Ohio. And even when we can’t go canvass there, we use the online call tool to make calls into Ohio. They have a lot of work to do over there, and we’re doing all we can to help. Lately, my team has been calling people to make sure they’re registered and ready to vote. And of course, we try to encourage early voting.

My favorite thing to do as a volunteer is definitely canvassing. You get to meet such a range of people. I’ve talked to a lot for older women in their 80s and 90s who were thrilled to see that there are younger women carrying on the torch. I’ve talked to people who aren’t really into politics because I get to tell them why I’m in for President Obama and they realize, “Wow, maybe this could help me!” So I tell those people about registering to vote and they realize how easy it is. That’s why those face-to-face interactions are so important. I’m just one person but I feel like I make a difference with every door I knock on, every phone call I make, every person I meet.

Volunteer

My name is Marsha Fishman and I’ve lived in Texas most of my life. I’d always been a little bit political but nothing to the extent of what I’m doing now.

I believe President Obama when he says change starts with us. Yes, we can elect whomever we want, but it’s also our job to go out there, stand with them, and fight for them. It’s up to us. I’ve done more and more each year. For months, I’ve been hosting a phone bank each weekend. Telephone calls are how volunteers in Texas can help re-elect the President. I host phone banks, volunteers come, and for months we’ve been making calls to Florida. So when we win Florida on November 6th, we’ll all know that we played a part in that.

Volunteer