Local Republican and Democratic Party volunteers make final push for votes
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Rain hasn't put a damper on campaign volunteers making a final push for votes.
Santa Barbara County Republican Party Secretary Julie Bischoff said, "It is very busy, there are lots of phone calls, we have great volunteers and we are trying to make sure that everybody who hasn't voted gets out and votes."
Bischoff spent the day working at the Republican Headquarters near Target in Santa Barbara.
"I am feeling incredibly hopeful, I think this is going to be an amazing election," said Bischoff.
Republican volunteer Barbara Batastini worked in the Santa Barbara headquarters after canvassing in the rain.
"It was awesome knocking on doors and meeting people and sharing our vision for California and Santa Barbara County," said Batastini.
Maxfield Stele went to the local Democratic headquarters on the 100 block of E. Carrillo St. after school.
"Once we got the rain, I've been mostly inside going phone banking. We've been largely outside on the street canvasing," said Steele.
Democratic Volunteer Coordinator Riley DeWitt has mixed emotions about the Midterms.
"Locally I am feeling good about the local elections, nationwide I am terrified," said DeWitt.
She told people by phone about the need to improve the turnout.
"We ran a really good campaign and we are just trying to get people to vote, at this point only 28 percent of people in Santa Barbara County have voted so far, so that is our main push get out there and vote," said DeWitt.
On Election day some of the Republican volunteers said they have signed up to watch election boxes.
"I'll be at a box a drop box to make sure that it is locked at 8 o'clock," said Bischoff.
She also plans to head to the Santa Barbara County Elections office to watch the process after the polls close.
Steele said he can't volunteer on Tuesday, but he knows others will be doing all they can.
"I am really grateful for that, " said Steele, "I volunteer because I think that participation is important to the function of democracy itself."
Some candidates worked the phone's, too, while others stopped by the thank the volunteers for all the work they do.
They intend to celebrate the results at campaign parties on Election Day if things go their way.
