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With days left in a neck-and-neck presidential election, many anxious California Democrats are boarding buses to neighboring swing states where they hope they can make a difference with undecided voters.

They know their solid blue selves are almost in the bag Vice President Kamala Harrisbut the polls show the race Depends within the margin of error In Arizona and Nevada.

That’s why Melissa Hitt of Long Beach boarded a bus to Las Vegas early Saturday, joining dozens of Harris supporters who had spent the night knocking on doors.

“I know Nevada is a great state that is very important in this election,” he said. “Even if a few of us convince a few voters, I think it could really make a difference.”

It’s not hard to find bus rides to a swing state this year, with Harris’ campaign, the Democratic Party, left-leaning advocacy groups and unions booking trips for volunteers. This is a step up from campaigns like writing a postcard or making a phone call that a dedicated volunteer can do from home.

In his farewell speech to Los Angeles volunteers last weekend, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez said the personal touch is important.

“Knocking on the door is the most effective way to turn someone off, the most effective way to connect with them, the most effective way to share your personal story of why you do what you do,” Gomez said.

“In other words, it is not normal to get on the bus and go and knock on the door. This is not normal. But you know what’s normal? “I care about your country, your families and what you want to see,” he said.

Undoubtedly, the biggest prize in the presidential election is California with 54 delegate votes. But the state hasn’t backed a Republican for president since George H.W. Bush in 1988, and that’s not in play either.

On the other hand, Nevada, which received six delegate votes, and Arizona, which received 11 votes, have a chance to be up for grabs.

California Republicans march for House races

California Democrats sent volunteers to Phoenix, Yuma, Reno and more. California Republicans are not making the same concerted effort to win voters in neighboring states.

Instead, the GOP is working to win the House of Representatives, a mandate held in California. very competitive races in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.

“The best way for California Republicans to support President Trump is to secure a GOP House majority that will help him implement his agenda in Washington,” California Republican Party spokeswoman Ellie Hockenbury said in an email. “With more targeted House seats than any other state in the country, the California Republican Party is working tirelessly to compete and win these critical races.”

Some right-leaning political consultants acknowledge that the Democratic ground game in swing states could work.

“Buses are not a waste of time,” said Russell Lowery, a Sacramento political consultant who has worked on Republican campaigns. “The person who is less informed and less likely to vote can make a real difference. Often it is the last message they hear that makes the difference.”

Republican political consultant Matt Rexroad said Harris’ roots in the Bay Area and Sacramento could motivate California Democrats. He said it makes sense for the California Republican Party to prioritize House races while ticking off the names of GOP candidates in hot races.

“So if you focus on one race, you might say, ‘Oh, that’s a misallocation of resources.’ But people have different priorities,” Rexroad said. “You have people who are very dedicated, loyal (to your candidates). David Valadao And Scott Baugh And Ken Calvertand they will stay here and do these things because it is closest to them.”

Abortion rights motivate Los Angeles volunteers

Charlotte Barney and Lauretta Darling were among dozens of Angelenos who traveled to Las Vegas last weekend to hit residential neighborhoods on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign. It was their first time campaigning. The mother-daughter duo said that many issues were important to them, but abortion rights specifically motivated them to volunteer.