MARTÍNEZ: A couple of days later, a few miles north of the Strip, we joined the Culinary Workers Union as they canvassed at an apartment building in downtown Las Vegas. Roman Alejo says most of the voters he's spoken to mention one specific issue.

ROMAN ALEJO: Their major concern is the cost of living. Like, I myself am a renter, and I could identify with many people that are struggling to live day by day.

(SOUNDBITE OF ELEVATOR RATTLING)

MARTÍNEZ: Instead of discussing policy, these canvassers were going floor to floor, focused on getting out the vote for Kamala Harris.

UNIDENTIFIED CANVASSER #2: So we have 434 and 445 (ph).

MARTÍNEZ: Their batting average on getting people to answer their apartment door was better than the conservative group.

(SOUNDBITE OF DOORBELL)

JOVONIE TEJERO: Hi.

UNIDENTIFIED CANVASSER #3: Hi. I'm (inaudible) with Unite Here Culinary Union. I'm looking for Jovonie.

TEJERO: Yes, this is me.

MARTÍNEZ: Jovonie Tejero believes Harris is the candidate who can get the cost of living under control.

TEJERO: Before, Las Vegas - it was so easy to get a house here. It used to be so cheap. And now I'm sitting here paying 3K to live in this apartment. That's ridiculous. Like, I'm a teacher. That's my whole paycheck, you guys (laughter).

MARTÍNEZ: It's just one of the reasons he says he'll vote for her.

TEJERO: I'm Filipino and Black, and she's Blasian (ph). I'm Blasian. And I know a lot of people don't want to make it about race. And she does a lot of great things that align with my values, but representation is important as well.

MARTÍNEZ: The Culinary Workers Union canvassers were able to mark Tejero down as a yes for Harris - one blue vote in a county of more than two million people - a county that's likely to decide which candidate wins this swing state.