A woman named Amanda Otero approached Hoch and inquired if she intended to support a ballot measure to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a Department of Public Safety. Hoch promptly responded that she would not vote in favor of it. However, she was open to chatting and ended up conversing with Otero for about 20 minutes. Hoch, 35, expressed her belief that the proposed change would ultimately lead to failure. "She felt that it lacked sufficient substance," Otero expressed her criticism of the police, citing mistreatment of people she knew. Otero and Hoch seemed to have similar values, but Hoch expressed frustration at the obstacles to real change. Otero, the deputy director of TakeAction Minnesota, was attentive in the conversation. Ultimately, she inquired about Hoch's stance on the ballot measure on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 indicating complete support. Initially identifying as a three, Hoch later adjusted her rating to a five. This exemplified deep canvassing, a method that aims to sway voters by engaging them in discussions about their personal experiences and emotions, rather than relying on rehearsed arguments or informational materials. The ultimate objective is to not only secure support for a particular policy, but also to influence lasting change in voters' opinions beyond a single election or issue. In Minneapolis, the focus is on not only advocating for a charter amendment to reform the police department, but also on challenging voters to reconsider the concept of law enforcement, especially in the city where Derek Chauvin, a former police officer, was convicted of murdering George Floyd. Deep canvassing, a method of exchanging stories and building empathy with those who hold different views, is being used as a slow and deliberate approach in contrast to the fast-paced world of modern politics filled with mass texting and social media posts. While many political campaigns target like-minded individuals, deep canvassing aims to engage with those who may need their minds changed in order to support a particular policy or candidate. Before going out to speak with residents about a Minneapolis ballot measure on Oct 10, 2021, canvassers are given a briefing and split into groups. The aim of deep canvassing is to engage in longer conversations with voters, particularly those who need to be convinced. This approach in Minneapolis serves as a test case for bringing deep canvassing to communities across the country, with the goal of training thousands of people to engage with those who hold differing views in order to not only persuade on policy issues, but also to rebuild faith in democracy among voters. Organizers aim to engage in deep canvassing by having extended conversations with voters, particularly those who are still undecided. The New Conversation Initiative, led by Steve Deline, focuses on issues like climate, immigration, and jail reform through deep canvassing to provide individuals with a platform to express their thoughts and emotions. This approach seeks to create a shared understanding and connection between canvassers and voters rather than simply dismissing opposing views. Advocates believe that in today's polarized society, deep canvassing can effectively persuade individuals to consider progressive changes on various issues. By engaging in lengthy conversations at people's doorsteps, both canvassers and voters often feel more open and disarmed. George Goehl, from People's Action, emphasizes the power of progressives to introduce important ideas into national discourse through deep canvassing efforts. "We believe that in order to successfully achieve our goals, it is important to engage in conversations with individuals who have differing perspectives. This work is both time-consuming and costly, as training canvassers requires a significant investment of time. The majority of voters do not respond to door-to-door visits, and those who strongly disagree are often hesitant to engage with strangers. Despite these challenges, in Minneapolis, a team of 60 volunteers and staff have managed to reach 2,400 voters through door-to-door visits and phone calls, demonstrating the effectiveness of this persuasion method." The strategy of deep canvassing was first used by gay-rights activists in California in 2009 following the outlawing of same-sex marriage. Three years later, advocates in Minnesota utilized deep canvassing to help defeat a ballot measure against same-sex marriage. Currently, this political tactic is mainly employed by left-wing activists. A study conducted in 2016 by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and Yale showed that deep canvassing in Miami and Los Angeles successfully changed the opinions of some voters who were hesitant to support transgender rights by prompting them to reflect on their own experiences with discrimination. Take Action Minnesota canvassers are preparing to discuss a Minneapolis ballot measure on October 10, 2021. Take Action Minnesota has implemented deep canvassing as a strategy to connect with voters while conducting door-to-door outreach. In 2020, Goehl's organization also utilized deep canvassing via phone to appeal to rural white voters in swing states for Joe Biden, proving to be more effective than traditional canvassing methods. Recently, Take Action Minnesota canvassers are preparing to discuss a Minneapolis ballot measure, focusing on engaging voters through deep canvassing techniques. This approach involves initiating conversations about racism before addressing the topic of law-enforcement reform, which opponents have simplified to the controversial slogan of defunding the police. Changing attitudes about race requires engaging in difficult conversations and truly listening to others, rather than just seeking confirmation of our own beliefs. This process takes time and effort, and there are no easy solutions. Despite lengthy discussions about policing, the issue of racism often goes unaddressed. In recent observations, white canvassers and voters did not mention racism, with some white voters indicating they would be more supportive of certain measures if they knew they had the approval of Black voters. It wasn't until leaving a white voter's home that Otero noticed a Black Lives Matter sign in the window. Maybe she overlooked an opportunity, but then she was pleasantly surprised when a woman sitting on the porch next door beckoned her over. This woman also had a Black Lives Matter sign displayed in front of her house, as well as a sign with the word "love" written in various languages. Mary Scavotto introduced herself and mentioned that it was her birthday. Otero declined a piece of cake and began her presentation. Scavotto was well aware of the charter amendment. She expressed her worry about the concept of completely changing things without a solid plan. Scavotto, a long-time resident of the area, mentioned that she would consider leaving Minneapolis if the amendment was approved. She referenced a gas station that had burned down the previous summer as an example. She remembered how she and her neighbors made sure to remove anything from their porch that could be stolen and used to harm their homes. She mentioned that they were prepared to leave at a moment's notice with their bags packed and gas in their car. Reflecting on the current situation, she expressed concern about the lack of police presence and how it has affected the safety of her children, leading her to keep them indoors after dark. Otero agreed, mentioning that despite increased police funding, people still don't feel secure. She also shared her brother's mental health struggles and her mixed feelings towards law enforcement. Otero, a Latina, expressed her uncertainty about whether she wants the police to arrest her brother in order for him to receive help, due to concerns about him having a criminal record and whether he would actually receive the help he needs. She also shared her fear of her immigrant husband driving in Minneapolis. Scavotto, who is white, acknowledged the lack of safety people of color feel with the police and emphasized the need for reform. Otero expressed hope that more discussions like theirs would lead to greater understanding and positive change. "What would it require for us to unite in Minneapolis, regardless of age, race, class, or life experiences?" she inquired, reflecting on the recent trauma. "That's the big question," Scavotto responded, nervously laughing. "I can't even get along with my eight siblings at the moment." Days later, Scavotto admitted that their conversation had troubled her, noting Otero's attentive listening. She vowed to attend local forums to gain a better grasp of the charter amendment. She stated that she would not alter her vote at the moment, but mentioned that she is more receptive to doing so.