Democratic organizers in western Wisconsin are employing a long-form canvassing strategy focused on healthcare policy to mobilize voters in a competitive congressional district where healthcare has emerged as a significant electoral issue.
The nonpartisan group GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (Groww) is conducting extended conversations, typically lasting 15-20 minutes, with voters about expanding BadgerCare, the state’s Medicaid program. The approach, known as deep canvassing, is designed to assess initial support for policy changes and gauge whether conversations shift voters’ positions. Organizers aim to conduct 4,000 conversations across the northern part of Wisconsin’s third congressional district from May through November, with approximately 40 trained canvassers working three times weekly. The effort targets voters in the political middle rather than those with strong partisan leanings.
Healthcare has become a central issue in the district’s race between Democrat Rebecca Cooke and Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden, particularly following hospital closures in the region and anticipated coverage losses from federal budget reductions. Supporters of healthcare expansion say estimates show more than 276,000 Wisconsinites could lose coverage under planned cuts, while opponents like Van Orden argue the changes address “waste, fraud and abuse” rather than constituting actual cuts. Democrats have organized protests and rallies highlighting healthcare concerns, while individuals including cancer patients and small-business owners have shared personal experiences of rising premiums and coverage challenges.
Research cited by organizers suggests deep canvassing can reduce prejudice and change voting behavior, though not all conversations result in increased support for expansion. Some voters express concerns about potential fraud or misuse of expanded programs. Organizers characterize their efforts as attempting to counter voter cynicism about whether political change is possible on healthcare issues. The strategy reflects a broader Democratic focus on healthcare as a persuasion tool in November elections, including competitive state legislative races and an open gubernatorial contest in Wisconsin, where the state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
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