With November quickly approaching, election ballots are working their way to mailboxes, and candidates are using stretch-run strategies to secure votes.

Radio and television airwaves and newspaper columns will be filled advertising, but just about everyone agrees: Nothing beats a face-to-face.

Sean Smith, a Democrat and county deputy seeking to unseat his boss, La Plata County Sheriff Duke Schirard, has blue signs up. But he’s also made it a point to attend community events and participate in debates.

“I think being present in the community is huge,” he said.

Schirard, the Republican incumbent, is ramping up for the final surge. The campaign will be sending mailers and boost its media-outreach efforts, Schirard said. More signs will be going up, too.

However, Schirard agrees: The most effective way of reaching people – hit the stump, meet people and shake hands.

“The best campaigning in a community such as this is word-of-mouth, talking to people, finding out their concerns and addressing them,” said the veteran campaigner who is seeking his sixth term.

Cynthia Roebuck, a Democrat seeking a spot on the La Plata County Commission, doesn’t dismiss media advertisements, but she also is getting the word out with the help of family and friends.

The most effective way to reach out to voters, she said, is through direct contact, and technology helps. She uses email and has called voters.

Brad Blake, Roebuck’s Republican opponent, concurs with many a candidate seeking local office: Face-to-face works best.

“We are still being aggressive,” he said, “with getting things up, getting mailers out and getting out and meeting with groups of people trying to reach every voter we can.”

He attends several meetings a week and hopes to meet new groups as the election nears.

In the race for Colorado House of Representatives District 59, it’s difficult to forget who’s running.

State Rep. Mike McLachlan, a Democrat, said his team is huge on voter contact and outreach. He and his team have been knocking on doors and making phone calls.

Though he can’t knock on every single door, his wife and team of volunteers have been an incredible help, he said.

The most important way to reach voters is through knocking on their door and talking to them in person. Second best is calling them, he said.

J. Paul Brown, McLachlan’s Republican opponent and a former state representative, is looking forward to mailing fliers as the ballots are being dropped off.

“It will be a really positive one about me,” he said.

In addition, he expects to air a series of radio ads through Election Day. But once again, meeting voters and sharing a chat is high-quality time.

Though he finds going door-to-door impractical, Brown said he loves attending community events.

“I love kids,” he said. “I like to talk to them and give them a button.”

vguthrie@durangoherald.com