Residents of Las Vegas have faced a series of record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with a notably warm fall following. According to Maanvi Singh, reporting from Las Vegas, canvassers from the advocacy group Make the Road Nevada have figured out strategies to handle the intense heat.

“By now, we know how to prepare for these conditions,” said Marco Rangel, an electoral campaign manager for the group. He explained that team members layer themselves in white UPF-protective shirts and sweat-wicking clothing. They also bring along ice-cold water in 50-quart coolers and plenty of salty snacks like barbecue Lays and Cheetos, which help fight dehydration. “Hey, at least it hasn’t hit 100°F yet,” Rangel remarked as they stepped into the sweltering autumn sun, where the temperature already exceeded 90°F by 10 AM. With a mid-October heatwave on the way, forecasters expect highs to reach 105°F.

Las Vegas is no stranger to scorching summers, but this year has been exceptional. June marked the hottest month on record for the city, while July saw an unprecedented seven consecutive days of temperatures at 115°F or higher, culminating in an all-time high of 120°F.

As the election nears and campaigns intensify across this crucial swing state, the heat remains a significant challenge. Strategists highlight the importance of in-person conversations in Clark and Washoe counties—areas that encompass Las Vegas and Reno and account for 90% of the state’s population. This year, those regions have faced extreme heat, complicating voter outreach efforts.

Patience Denise Marble, a lead canvasser for Make the Road, expressed concern about the impact of the heat on their work. “This is the hottest year I’ve ever experienced here,” she stated. The oppressive conditions force canvassers to slow down and take more frequent breaks, with voters often eager to end conversations quickly to escape the heat. “I do get a lot of people thanking us for being out here in the heat,” she added. “They often offer us cold drinks or ice.”

The extreme temperatures are even more pronounced in areas of Las Vegas with predominantly working-class Latino and Black populations. A heat-mapping project revealed that these neighborhoods can be up to 11 degrees hotter than other parts of the city due to limited natural landscaping and ample concrete.

Make the Road adjusts its strategy by halting in-person canvassing when temperatures exceed 110°F or during excessive heat warnings, opting instead for phone banking. To protect against the sun, canvassers wear white clothing branded with the organization’s logo and take frequent breaks in air-conditioned vehicles or climate-controlled cafés.

Meanwhile, the conservative Libre Initiative has also adapted, providing cooling neck wraps for its canvassers and rescheduling activities to avoid peak heat hours. Canvassers for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which represents 60,000 hospitality workers, typically drive between locations rather than walking to avoid heat exhaustion.

“Yes, it’s hot, but it’s important,” said Urbin Gonzalez, who took time off from his housekeeping job on the Las Vegas Strip to canvass. “I could be inside in the AC,” he explained, “but I want to connect with people, share my story, and listen to theirs. It’s essential they understand why they need to vote.”

In Reno, city council member Miguel Martinez noted that the campaign season has coincided not just with extreme heat, but also wildfires. As he launched canvassing efforts in September during the Davis fire, he witnessed skies turning orange and ash falling around him. “There were big pieces of ash falling in our driveway,” he recalled.

Martinez and his team paused their campaigning that week, citing the difficulty of breathing due to wildfire smoke and wanting to avoid distracting residents from crucial updates from local fire crews. Once they resumed canvassing, the unusually warm autumn persisted. Martinez and his wife prepared by packing frozen water bottles, which they consumed as they melted to stay hydrated. “We tried to move quickly from shade to shade,” he explained. Those who answered their door often offered cold drinks or invited them inside to cool off.

Despite the ongoing heat and environmental challenges, Martinez found that voters rarely mentioned climate change as a major concern during his door-to-door efforts. “I didn’t hear about it as much as the economy or safety concerns,” he said. “A lot of people just feel they have to tough it out and deal with it.”