As the 2026 tabling project draws to a close, here is what we learned, some of it expected and some of it not.
Volunteers made it happen. We like to say we could have 100 tables, but without volunteers we would have nothing. Talented, committed volunteers organized and ran their own tabling projects in different parts of LD17, and they exceeded every expectation.
Friendly crowds, but already sold. As expected, we were warmly received by like-minded Democrats and Independents, who appreciated being able to check their registrations and confirm early voting dates and locations. What surprised us was how well informed these voters were about candidates and issues. Many were committed to voting for Democrats up and down the ballot and declined printed materials, saying they were “all in” already. We saw this at every site. We did take the chance to explain the vote-for-two strategy for the Arizona State House and the Arizona Corporation Commission. The only materials in real demand were those on the Propositions and Judges.
No softening among MAGA voters. We expected to talk with MAGA voters and Republican-leaning Independents, and we did. We hoped to find a few who had softened or begun to question their views. We didn’t. Those who stopped to talk, all civil more or less, doubled down. Some of what we heard (some of it paraphrased): “All Islamists are terrorists.” Workers don’t want to work and want something for nothing. “Medicare for all” is ludicrous. Attacking Iran is long overdue and paying more for gas is worth it. “Communism is bad, Putin is very bad, but Trump has to deal with world leaders.” One man accused us of “ballot harvesting” as he walked past. Another said he didn’t want his child influenced into “cross dressing.”
Future voters. In the end, our main service went to Democratic voters. One more pleasant surprise: a few young people not yet 18 were thrilled to find a table where they could start the process right away. One said his family is Republican but that if he could vote in this election, he would vote Democratic.