With Election Day looming, Creighton students are putting on their walking shoes and a smiling face to knock on doors.

Democrats and Republicans are volunteering their time to canvass in neighborhoods throughout Omaha to support their candidates and to encourage people to vote.

“Grassroots organization is people getting involved and donating their own time and effort to the campaign,” said Katie Spratte, Arts and Sciences junior and president of College Republicans, who has canvassed numerous times since the 2000 election.

Canvassing works in one of two ways. Either a person knocks on the door to discuss issues and provide information about a candidate, or sometimes, the canvassers just drop off literature or brochures in the door.

Dr. Richard Witmer, assistant professor of Political Science, who canvassed several times in his college years, said you are either looking to mobilize your supporters or get those who may be on the fence and provide them with information to get them to your side.

“Canvassing basically works and is most effective in getting out the vote when you have your supporters and you have identified them and tell them don’t forget to vote, give them more information and ask if they want help getting to the polls,” Witmer said.

To prepare for a day of canvassing, weeks prior are spent finding people who will volunteer for a few hours that day. No experience is needed as long as potential canvassers support the candidate. “Cutting turf” is a system that lists voters and their address in a particular precinct. The material also includes a map and literature, brochures about the candidate or registering to vote, said Cailan O’Grady, Arts and Sciences junior, who has canvassed 10 times and has planned College Democrat canvasses for this year’s election.

What canvassers have to learn is to keep an optimistic and enthusiastic attitude from their first door or five blocks later.

“I like to stress to the people who go canvassing to make sure the last door you knock is exactly the same as the first door you knocked because they don’t know how long you have been out,” O’Grady said.

Canvassing may seem old fashioned these days with advancements in technology, but many people still prefer the personal contact with a phone call or knock on the door. According to Witmer, as voter turnout levels have declined in past years, canvassing may have helped stop some of that decline in voter turnout by making the direct, personal connection with those who may not have planned on voting.

“It’s refreshing to talk to a person and not an automated machine voice and see someone face-to-face,” Spratte said.

College students often are tagged for hilly neighborhoods, both for their enthusiasm and fitness, Witmer said.

“More people should canvass, it is the best thing for college students to do,” Witmer said. “They love it for young people to throw on sneakers, walk fast and carry literature door-to-door.”

Though it can get monotonous knocking on doors for hours, canvassing has been one of the most effective tools for elections.

“Everyone who canvasses has their own story and their own reason of why they canvass,” O’Grady said. “I think it is the people that you meet that makes it fun.”