"Get out and vote:" Campaign volunteers call final weekend before election a culmination of their work

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Sunday, November 2nd, with 48 hours left to go before voters head to the polls in the November 4th General Election, Republicans and Democrats were on the ground -- in an effort to reach voters and ensure they'll vote on Tuesday.

"We're really focusing on them having a plan to go out and vote," a campaign volunteer said.

The polls open Tuesday at 7:00 a.m., and until they close at 8:00 p.m., volunteers on both sides of the aisles will be on the street and on the phone.

"When you're a politician, those last 72 hours, those last 38 hours are sort of a blur, because you want to do absolutely everything you can think of," UW-Milwaukee Professor of Governmental Affairs Mordecai Lee said.

Supporters of both candidates -- Governor Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race know that voter turnout will mean the difference in this tight race.

"When we talk to people, what we are doing is letting them know how important it is to come out to vote. If Milwaukee shows up to vote, Mary Burke will be the governor of Wisconsin this coming January," 11th District State Representative Mandela Barnes said.

"This weekend is vital.  You know, we've been working 22 months on this campaign, building our coalition of volunteers, thousands across the state and this weekend is kind of the culmination of all that work," Republican Party Field Director Chris Martin said.

The latest Marquette University Law School Poll shows a close gubernatorial race among registered voters, and a Walker advantage among likely voters.

So now, the question is: Which party can best mobilize voters?

"The most important thing really for voters at this late date, this late hour, is to remember that polls don't cast a single vote.  It's the people who get up and go to the polls on Tuesday. They're gonna be the ones who decide the outcome of this race," Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin said.

Monday will be a very busy day for both Walker and Burke. Walker has six campaign stops scheduled across the state, and Burke will be making five stops.

Walker will end his day in Waukesha, and Burke will end her day in Madison.