Despite advances in technology, this year’s campaigners have not abandoned traditional practices like going door-to-door to get their names out.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Ron Matekaitis has been walking door-to-door after work for weeks with the hopes of being re-elected.

Going door-to-door is just a part of a successful election campaign, said Kate Phillips, Matekaitis’ campaign manager.

“He’s been walking until it’s dark,” she said.

Matekaitis is doing what he can to get his name out this election season but so are other candidates.

Eric Johnson, campaign manager for Matekaitis’ opponent, Republican Clay Campbell, said Campbell has been working hard on his campaign.

He has been attending a number of community events and speaking engagements, as well as going door-to-door since announcing his candidacy last October, Johnson said.

Campbell said he likes going door-to-door because the encouragement he receives from voters motivates him during his campaigning.

In addition to heated campaigns such as the state’s attorney race, more cordial races also need to campaign.

Bob Rosemier, Democratic County Board member in District 5, said every little thing helps.

“I’m doing just about everything and anything that I can think of or that people have suggested to me,” Rosemier said.

Rosemier said it is important to remember that just getting your name out does not necessarily convert voters.

“There are those who don’t want to be bothered by your intervention, those who aren’t registered and those who have already made up their mind to vote for the opposition,” Rosemier said.

As a challenger, getting name recognition can be a difficult but rewarding task.

John Acardo, a Republican running for County Board District 5 and the Student Association’s chief of staff, said meeting and greeting potential supporters is essential.

Acardo needs to get his name out more than the typical candidate, as this is his first campaign for a public office, which he said is “an uphill battle.”

“Going door-to-door is one of the most helpful and beneficial things you can do,” Acardo said. “It’s basically the human touch. You get to shake their hand and give your literature to them.”

A good first impression is the most important aspect to success, Acardo said, but there are other means of getting your message across.

Newspaper exposure is a key to campaigning, which is another reason why making public appearances is so important, Acardo said.

“Newspaper is a great medium if you’re lucky enough to get into them. Letters to the editor that people will write also helps,” Acardo said.

State Rep. Bob Pritchard agreed that newspapers can have a positive impact on a campaign, but said excessive coverage could be too much for a voter to swallow.

He said his style of campaigning relies on the consistency of a candidate who is very engaged.

“What I like to do is go talk to the people on what I’m working on in Springfield and what I’ve accomplished during my term,” Pritchard said.

As Pritchard’s challenger, Democrat Bob Brown does not have that luxury.

“You initially have to devote more time to name recognition,” Brown said. “Beyond that, you need to demonstrate to voters that you have appropriate experience.”

Brown said there are many people to reach in each legislative group.

“I like to compare it to interviewing for a job, only you have 105,000 people hiring you,” Brown said.

For local elections, the last couple of weeks are extremely important, Brown said. He said voters tend to make early decisions on the presidential race, then slowly work their way down the card to local levels of government.