Canvassers Guage Which Issues Matter Most To Rural Virginians

ABINGDON, Va. – These summer interns aren’t knocking on doors to sell books or vacuum cleaners – they’re peddling democracy.

“We’ve been out in rural Washington County, and I don’t think people ... ever went out in a rural area and knocked on people’s doors and asked them what they thought about health care,” said Rachel Preston, an Emory & Henry College junior from Abingdon.

“We’re just really kind of all about letting voices be heard that may not have been asked what they think before.”

Eight local students are canvassing the region for the Virginia Organizing Project, asking residents about issues of local importance and giving people information on voter registration and how to contact their government representatives.

“There’s so much energy coming into Virginia [ahead of the presidential election], energy and resources all across the board, parties and different groups and candidates, and all kinds of things,” said Brian Johns, Southwest Virginia organizer for the group. “We wanted to use some of that energy and tie it into community organizing.”

Johns said 50 interns are circulating statewide, with plans to knock on 300,000 doors. They’re asking about health care, specific local issues and what residents believe are the most important issues in their community.

“We hear a lot about the economy and gas prices,” Johns said. “But we also hear about prescription drug addiction and ... lack of affordable housing.”
Carrie Elswick, of Richlands, Va., is a senior at King College and another of the summer interns with the group. She said the effort, which began in mid-May, is already making a difference here.

“I know a lot of people are calling their senator and delegate because they’ll call our organization and tell them,” Elswick said. “We’ve seen people get involved more, and we also, people have volunteered to go door-to-door with us after we’ve knocked on their door.”

She said opinions vary on prescription drug abuse in the areas of Russell, Wise and Tazewell counties where she has been working; some think the state government needs to do more, while others wonder if it would be beneficial.

She said most people think payday lenders hurt the community more than they help.

Preston has been knocking on doors in Washington County, Bristol, Va., and Lee County.

“I talked to a lot of people who are uninsured and don’t have health care, and if something happens to them, they can’t exactly go to the emergency room and pay hundreds of dollars for whatever they need done,” Preston said. “People are kind of really, really desperate for some change in our health-care system.”

Elswick said the goal of the effort is more participation in government.

“I hope people will take a more responsible role in democracy and engage their elected officials,” Elswick said. “A lot of people complain about politicians but if you don’t communicate with them, then you don’t really have anything to complain about. You need to meet them in the middle.”

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