As we approach the start of early voting in New York, I know many Democrats are encouraged by recent polling. But we must not use that as an excuse to relax in the last days before the election. Polls don’t vote. People vote!

The issues voters care about are our issues. We support reducing the cost of healthcare, with a range of proposals from restoring the Affordable Care Act subsidies to Medicare for All. We support reducing the price of diesel and gas by ending the ill-conceived war against Iran. We support reducing the cost of groceries and other essentials by ending the pointless tariffs that even conservative economists see as a drag on our economy. We support halting the corruption and self-dealing of the current administration in Washington.

And while most people's eyes are on Washington, we also need to make the case for electing Democrats to state and local offices. At all levels, we need government working for all citizens, not just the wealthy.

Rural New York is a closely divided region where every vote counts. If the polls are right, many of our voters agree that electing Democrats this fall is the clearest path to turning the country around. But we still must convince them to vote. We need to make the case for electing Democrats at voters' doors, in letters to the editor, on social media, in conversations with coworkers and friends.

Wave elections for one party or the other don't just happen. They happen because candidates, party members and volunteers work hard and enthusiastically to make them happen. When we turn out voters to support our candidates, Democrats win!

--Bill Thickstun