a typical canvass

the day starts for a morning session at of the obama office (there are 50 in colorado).  each volunteer receives a canvassing packet with list of names, addresses, and data on registered voters in a group of blocks that are being targeted that day.  a google map is included with a pinpoint on each house (about 50 per pack) and the message we deliver to voters changes by day.  ideally each volunteer is to tackle a packet in a morning session and another in an afternoon session.  

mail in ballots were mailed out last week in colorado and early voting started today, for the next two weeks.  the campaign is trying to reduce the confusion, especially among the huge amount of newly registered voters.  when we can identify those who have already voted, we can take them off the list and make more accurate projections of support.

in reality things are much more complex.  especially in the low-income neighborhoods there are a slew of people who are no longer living in their registered address, and new voters at those houses who are registered elsewhere, and no one knows what to do.  but, with all the variety of people i have talked to i have yet to talk to a mccain supporter.