Knock doors in Wisconsin. Defend democracy.

Choose a weekend canvass

Pick a Wisconsin shift that fits your schedule. Indicate on your signup whether you need a ride or can drive others.

Meet at your Chicago hub

Carpools depart from Rogers Park, Evanston, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, and Oak Park. Drivers and riders are connected before departure.

Train, buddy up, and canvass

Get trained at the staging location, pair up with an experienced partner, and talk with voters before heading back together.

How do Chicago volunteers get to canvassing shifts in Wisconsin?

Operation Swing State organizes and coordinates regular carpools departing from neighborhood hubs across Chicagoland, including Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Evanston, and Oak Park. We pair volunteer drivers with non-drivers so everyone can participate regardless of car ownership.

Which areas in Wisconsin are Operation Swing State volunteers targeting?

We concentrate our efforts on high-impact swing communities throughout Southeast and Southern Wisconsin, including Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee County, Waukesha, and Janesville/Rock County. Most canvass launch sites are within a 60- to 90-minute drive from Chicago.

Do I need prior experience or training to knock doors in Wisconsin?

No prior political canvassing experience is required. Every canvass launch begins with thorough on-site training. You will be paired with an experienced canvasser, provided scripts, and set up with the MiniVAN mobile app to record voter responses seamlessly.

What should I bring for a weekend canvass trip to Wisconsin?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing layers, and a fully charged smartphone with the MiniVAN app already downloaded. A portable phone charger/battery bank, water bottle, and snacks are also strongly recommended.

Why is Wisconsin so crucial for Illinois volunteers to canvass?

Wisconsin is one of America's tightest swing states: its last three presidential races were each decided by less than one percentage point. Wisconsin swing districts are a 60- to 90-minute drive from Chicago, so Illinois volunteers can add real grassroots field capacity to turn out voters in close races.

How far is Kenosha from Chicago?

Kenosha is about 62 road miles from the Chicago Loop, roughly 1 to 1½ hours up I-94 without traffic. Racine is about 74 miles (1¼ to 1¾ hours) and Milwaukee about 89 miles (1½ to 2 hours). Kenosha and Racine are both in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District (WI-1).

Which Wisconsin races are competitive in 2026?

As of early October 2026, the Cook Political Report rates two Wisconsin races as toss-ups: WI-3 in western Wisconsin (Rep. Derrick Van Orden vs. Rebecca Cooke) and the open governor's race (David Crowley vs. Tom Tiffany). It rates WI-1 (Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties; Rep. Bryan Steil vs. Mitchell Berman) as Lean Republican. Control of the Wisconsin State Senate is also on the ballot.

When does early voting start in Wisconsin for the November 2026 election?

In-person absentee voting may begin Tuesday, October 20, 2026 and ends no later than Sunday, November 1; each municipal clerk sets its own days and hours. Online and mail registration closes October 14, but you can still register in person at your clerk's office until 5 p.m. on October 30, or at your polling place on Election Day, November 3.