We can all do something in the lead-up to the November election. What is your something?

Robin M. Itzler

Patriots don’t have to open their wallets to contribute to a candidate’s campaign, although money is always welcome. You can contact your local county Republican Party or directly reach out to the candidate and/or organization promoting a proposition. Everyone can do something to save our nation from a growing communist takeover.

Local candidates (school boards, city councils, aldermen, boards of supervisors, commissioners, etc.) often run on shoestring budgets. Anything you can do is appreciated.

For instance, Maureen “Quinn” Flaherty ran for the Long Beach, California, school board in the June primary. A special ed teacher at a charter school, Flaherty was making strong inroads in her school board district during the campaign, which explains why teachers’ union members started showing up to protest at her events. She shared her story with me:

I ran for Long Beach Unified School District Board Member in the June 2, 2026, primary. I have been a community leader in Long Beach, CA, hosting events to teach the public about their constitutional rights since 2020. My goal in running was to do more for my community since these days there are many agendas that are unhealthy for children attending public schools. For more background visit Protect Our Kids website.

Throughout my campaign, I endured much harassment and abuse such as disparaging signs about me throughout Long Beach and in my own neighborhood, attack ads on YouTube, teacher union members and Antifa showing up at my events trying to shut down my voice, and more. Despite all the negatives, I came in second place with 33 percent of the vote, out of three candidates. The incumbent had 55 percent. She won outright in the primary election because of the 50 + 1% rule in primaries for local elections.

My efforts threatened the teachers’ union. According to the Long Beach Post the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) spent more than $200,000 to defeat me who they called the “Conservative Challenger.” They also claimed that I was “too MAGA for Long Beach” when those words just mean make America great again. In my opinion, a great slogan for a city in desperate need of conservative leadership.

As a local candidate lacking the same financial cushion that TALB had, I received amazing support from those that opposed their leftist agendas. This included local Long Beach churches such as Calvary Chapel Long Beach. People volunteered in so many ways such as making phone calls, knocking on doors, putting out lawn signs, creating flyers and attending my campaign events. During the campaign, I made new friends who ‘get it’ and I will consider running again when the opportunity arises because it’s just that important!

• Plant yard signs—Your neighbors know you follow politics and trust your judgment. The signs are seen throughout the day, reinforcing your support for candidates and/or propositions. If you know like-minded neighbors, ask them to display signs, too.
• Make phone calls or send text messages—You can go to headquarters or make calls from the convenience of your home. When so much is automated today, a human call or text can increase voter turnout. The candidate or county GOP would provide the list of people to call or text.
• Address postcards—Gather friends and have a writing party to address postcards provided by the campaign.
• Knock on doors—Think about how much it helps a candidate when you knock on a door and say, “Hi, I’m Mary Smith, who lives two blocks over on Green Street. I want to talk to you about _____.”
• Distribute literature—Ask your pastor, priest, or rabbi if you can set up a table with material in the parking lot. Anyone who is interested can talk to you. If not, they just keep walking. If your religious clergy doesn’t want to get politically involved in this indirect manner, just remind him or her that if communists take control of Congress, they are the first group that would be verbally and/or physically attacked.
• Register voters—Should your house of worship be against your offering information about candidates and/or propositions, offer to set up a voter registration table. Let them know that you would be registering voters of all parties—be they Republican, Democrat, or third-party.
• Letters to the editor—Those letters are very important because they tell an editor there is a lot of interest in a candidate or ballot proposition. Even if your letter isn’t published, it helps get other letters with the same position into the newspaper.
• Write news releases—Even if you aren’t a professional writer, there are templates online for releases about candidates and upcoming events.
• Create flyers—If you are creative, offer to make flyers for upcoming events.
• Social media comments—On a regular basis, include a comment about why you support certain candidates and/or propositions. People who follow you want to hear what you have to say.
• Social media photos—If you go to an event for a proposition or attend an event for a candidate, take photos and post them on your social media accounts. Include a link to their websites so people can obtain more information.
• Distribute material at a supermarket or coffee shop—Set up a table near, but not blocking, the entrance to distribute material. (Check with the city about the rules, as the store manager might tell you to disperse when legally you have the right to be there.)
• Register voters at a rally by a busy intersection—Even a handful of people waving American flags and holding signs will get drivers’ attention. Bring materials for those who walk by. If your city has a popular location, that is the perfect place. Otherwise, find a busy intersection near a shopping center. Register voters—be they Republican, Democrat, or third-party.
• Host a meet-and-greet in your backyard—Set up some chairs, put out water and cookies, and have the candidate(s) speak to your neighbors about their campaigns. You can increase attendance by also addressing propositions on the ballot.
• Community calendar—Find out about community events that will be held in September and October where you could have a booth to answer questions, distribute material, and register voters. If organizers don’t want a political booth at the event, you can:
  • Place material on nearby parked cars.
  • Walk around the event handing out material.
  • Walk around wearing a hat and T-shirt promoting your candidate and/or proposition.
• Be a poll watcher—Volunteering at the polls and at the registrar of voters’ office is extremely important, especially if you have concerns about election integrity.

Whether you work with your county GOP or go directly to the candidate’s campaign or the organization behind a proposition, everyone can do something. What is your something?

Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at RobinItzler@yahoo.com.