Volunteering efforts rise in Polk County as election nears

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — Iowa Democrats have been talking about a change in enthusiasm around party members in the state since Vice President Harris became the nominee.

In Polk County, the increase in volunteers is something that wasn’t totally expected when the change occurred.

“It’s probably been over 200 volunteers that have signed up since her announcement,” said Kira Barker, the Executive Director for the Polk County Democrats. “I would definitely say confidently, 75% of those folks are sort of a shot in the arm for a lot of folks who are kind of sitting on the sidelines, you know, anticipating November, unsure of how to feel. And then when she announced it was, you know, reinvigorating.”

New volunteers have been lining up and it makes the door knocking process less grueling with more numbers. One new volunteer in the Democratic party explains why he got involved in this cycle.

“I kind of feel like the strands of our democracy are fraying a little bit. And I realize that democracy is not a spectator sport. So I wanted to get involved and especially like something local, something that I had an impact on was important to me,” said Noah Beacom, a volunteer for the Iowa Democratic party.

The Iowa GOP has had the same candidate at the top of the ticket for the last three general elections, and one volunteer has been waiting to participate in campaigning since 2016.

“I think before maybe like prior to 2016, I don’t want to say that like young people were kept out of the conservative movement…but there wasn’t anything really exciting for young people,” said William Hach from Ely. “And I can tell it seems like as time has gone on, more young people are being captured by like the MAGA movement because of Trump’s influence on like conservative culture.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.