GREEN BAY, WI -- There are just 16 days to go before voters across the nation take to the polls.
Across Wisconsin, politicians and celebrities are meeting with voters and volunteers in an effort to get the vote out in this key battleground state.
At a canvassing kick-off for Hillary Clinton Sunday morning in Oshkosh, "The West Wing" actors Bradley Whitford and Marlee Matlin are busy rallying democratic volunteers.
"Our strategy here in getting out the vote is exactly what our message is," says Whitford. "It is total inclusion."
Both actors are also telling young voters to take advantage of Wisconsin's early voting.
"We need everybody," says Whitford, "and we need to make sure that everybody has a voice."
They're also encouraging voters to rally behind state Democrats at the polls, like WI U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold. The latest Marquette Law School poll in Wisconsin shows a tightening race, with Republican incumbent Ron Johnson closing the gap.
"We can't just sit back and feel assured that [Clinton is] going to win," says Matlin. "We have to fight tooth and nail, all the way up until the day of election day. "
Putting emphasis on Wisconsin's state and local races in the days leading up to the November election is something Republicans are also doubling down on.
"But the bottom line is, we've shown that, in Wisconsin, historically, like a lot of other Midwestern states, there's a lot of ticket splitters," says Republican Gov. Scott Walker. "People don't always vote one straight party."
Governor Walker, along with Sen. Johnson and 8th Congressional District candidate Mike Gallagher, were busy in Allouez Sunday reminding voters of what's at stake in state races.
"We want Republicans to vote for Ron Johnson. We want independents," says Walker, "[and] I hope there's discerning Democrats out there."
According to Walker, now is the time for voters in Wisconsin to get out of their comfort zone, and engage neighbors in a conversation about the importance of this election. He says the same grassroots community effort that helped him defeat his recall election is the same one at play right now in helping keep Johnson in his seat.
"It is critically, critically important to get out and vote," says Walker, "and it's critically important for the grassroots to play a key role in it."
