Could increasing talk of authoritarianism be a wake-up call for citizens to demand better governance, and how can people effectively push for change?

Who are the people outside grocery stores or dept stores asking if we are registered to vote? I try to ignore them as much as I can but I feel some get smug with people. Who are they? What do they want?
How can you differentiate between superficial habits and basic character traits when deciding if someone is right for you?