A woman named Amanda Otero approached Hoch, asking if she intended to support a ballot measure replacing the Minneapolis Police Department with a Department of Public Safety. Hoch firmly responded that she would not vote in favor of it. Despite this, she was open to chatting and they ended up talking for almost 20 minutes. Hoch expressed her belief that the proposed change was setting up something positive for failure. “She felt that it lacked depth,” Otero commented, expressing her dissatisfaction with the matter. She also had negative feedback about law enforcement due to mistreatment experienced by people she knew. Otero felt that they held similar beliefs. Hoch responded with a sigh, indicating that something was hindering actual progress. Otero, the deputy director of TakeAction Minnesota, both spoke and listened during the conversation. Finally, she inquired about where Hoch would place herself on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of support for the ballot measure, with 10 being completely in favor. Initially, Hoch had rated herself as a three, but now she identified as a five. This exemplified deep canvassing, a method that aims to persuade voters by engaging in discussions about their personal experiences and emotions rather than relying on scripted talking points or informational pamphlets. The ultimate objective is not only to garner support for a specific policy in the short term, but also to bring about lasting changes in voters' perspectives, beyond just one election or issue. In Minneapolis, the goal is not only to build support for the charter amendment to change the police department, but also to encourage voters to reconsider the role of law enforcement in the country and in the city where Derek Chauvin, a former police officer, was convicted of murdering George Floyd, a Black man whose death sparked a movement for racial justice. Deep canvassing, which involves exchanging stories and developing empathy for differing viewpoints, is seen as a slower, more thoughtful approach to activism in a time of quick communication methods like texting and social media posts. While traditional canvassing aims to briefly engage voters, deep canvassing seeks to reach those who may need their minds changed in order to support a particular policy or candidate, rather than just preaching to those who already agree. Canvassers are given instructions before dividing into groups and going out to engage with residents regarding a Minneapolis ballot measure on Oct 10, 2021. The goal of deep canvassing for organizers is to engage in longer conversations with voters and focus on persuading those who may need convincing. This approach is seen as a crucial experiment for those looking to expand deep canvassing efforts nationwide, with the hope of training numerous individuals to engage in conversations with those who hold differing opinions in order to not only sway opinions on policies but also to help rebuild trust in democracy among voters. Organizers use deep canvassing to engage in longer conversations with voters, particularly those who may need to be persuaded. The New Conversation Initiative, led by Steve Deline, focuses on topics such as climate, immigration, and jail reform, allowing people to express their feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental way. Advocates believe that deep canvassing can effectively convince individuals who are hesitant to support progressive changes on issues like immigration, transgender rights, and policing in today's polarized society. These conversations, which can last up to half an hour, often leave both the canvasser and the voter feeling more open and connected. George Goehl, director of People's Action, emphasizes the power of progressives to introduce important ideas into the national dialogue. In order to successfully achieve your goals, it is necessary to engage in conversations with individuals who have differing viewpoints. The process is both time-consuming and costly, as training canvassers is a lengthy task. The majority of voters do not answer their doors, especially those who strongly disagree and are reluctant to speak with strangers. Despite these challenges, a group in Minneapolis has managed to reach 2,400 voters through door-to-door visits and phone calls, proving the effectiveness of this method of persuasion. Gay-rights advocates in California pioneered deep canvassing in 2009 after a state ballot measure banned same-sex marriage. Three years later, advocates in Minnesota used deep canvassing to defeat a similar measure. The tactic has mainly been used by left-wing activists. A 2016 study by University of California, Berkeley and Yale researchers showed that deep canvassing in Miami and Los Angeles changed the attitudes of some voters on transgender rights by prompting them to reflect on their own experiences. Canvassers with Take Action Minnesota 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. The group utilized deep canvassing over the phone to appeal to rural white voters in swing states during the 2020 election, finding it to be more effective in persuading voters than traditional canvassing methods. In Minneapolis, supporters of a charter amendment focusing on police reform have also employed deep canvassing to engage voters in discussions about racism and law enforcement reform. Changing people's perspectives on race requires genuine human interactions where individuals listen to understand rather than just to agree. There are no quick solutions or easy fixes to this issue. Despite lengthy discussions on police-related topics, racism was not addressed in training sessions or conversations with voters. Most canvassers and voters were white, and some white voters indicated they would be more inclined to support a measure if they knew it had the backing of Black voters. It was only when Otero was leaving the home of Hoch, the librarian, that Otero noticed a Black Lives Matter sign in the front window. Maybe she had not noticed an opportunity before, but then she was pleasantly surprised when a woman from the house next door beckoned her over. The woman also had a Black Lives Matter sign displayed on her porch, along with a sign that said "love" in various languages. Mary Scavotto introduced herself and mentioned that it was her birthday. Otero declined a piece of cake politely and began discussing her script. Scavotto was aware of the charter amendment. She expressed concerns about the idea of completely changing everything without a plan. Scavotto, who has lived on the block for almost two decades, stated that she would leave Minneapolis if the measure was approved. She referenced a gas station that had burned down the previous summer. She remembered how she and her neighbors made sure to remove any items from their porch that could be used to harm their homes. "We were prepared to leave at a moment's notice, with our bags packed and gas in the tank," she explained. Reflecting on the current situation, she remarked, "We have witnessed the consequences of fewer police officers. I no longer feel comfortable letting my children go out after dark." Otero agreed, mentioning that despite increased police funding, people still did not feel safer. She also shared her concerns about her younger brother's mental health struggles and her mixed feelings towards law enforcement. Otero, a Latina woman, expressed her dilemma about whether she wants the police to catch her brother to get him help, but is concerned about him having a criminal record. She also shared her fear regarding her immigrant husband driving in Minneapolis. Scavotto, a white woman, listened attentively and acknowledged the lack of safety people of color feel with the police, emphasizing the need for reform. Otero expressed hope that more conversations like theirs could bring about clarity on these issues. She asked what it would take for people in Minneapolis to come together across age, race, class, and life experience after a year of trauma. Scavotto replied that it was a difficult question, jokingly mentioning her struggles getting along with her siblings. Reflecting on their conversation later, Scavotto said it had stayed with her and noted Otero's attentive listening. She committed to attending local forums to learn more about the charter amendment. She stated that she was not ready to change her vote at the moment, but expressed that she was becoming more open to the idea.