WILLMAR -- After five hours of steady phone calling on Monday, Susan Mattson was ready to take a break at the DFL Party headquarters in Willmar and talk about today's election.
"I'm optimistic,'' said Mattson, before adding that she also feels the need to be cautious.
"We can always be surprised.''
To see that things go the way they want, volunteers and candidates with both parties gave their fingers and knuckles a real workout on Monday.
Many will continue to do so today, as the get-out-the vote campaigns continue.
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"Until the final bell,'' said Sam Nelson, DFL Party chair for Kandiyohi County, on the local party's campaign.
Kandiyohi County Republican Party co-chair Rollie Nissen said volunteers will likely be doing some phone calling today to reach those missed Monday, but he said today's calling won't be as extensive.
Minnesota is expecting a near record 80 percent voter turnout.
Nissen said he does not believe at this point there are many people left "who we can shake out of the woods.'' Virtually everyone has already made up their mind whether or not to cast a ballot, he said.
Volunteer Ann Salzer was busy handling the phones Monday at the Republican Party headquarters in Willmar. She was also feeling optimistic about her candidates' chances today.
She said much of the party's campaign activity in the final days focuses on encouraging people to get to the polls and helping them do so. She helps arrange for volunteer drivers to provide rides for those requesting them.
At the DFL headquarters, Mattson said she and other volunteers spend much of the time in the final days calling people to urge them to vote, offer rides and tell them where their polling places are located. She noted that there are many first-time voters interested in going to the polls today, and information on the locations of polling places is helpful to them.
In both parties, it's the individual candidate's own call on whether he or she continues door-to-door campaigning today, according to the party chairs.
