Voter Contact: Tactical Overview

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Voter Contact Tools

Repeated Conversations with Actual Voters� 5 - 7+ contacts in last 2 months� 3 - 5+ contacts in last 3 weeks

Voter Contact Tools� Door-to-door � Phones � Mail � House parties� Dropping literature

Can’t have it all though...

CheapFastGood

For field persuasion contacts:

BroadTalk to large numbers of people

CheapUse limited resources

• Time• People• Money

Lasting –persuades voters

Good

Tactics: What works?

Effect on Turnout

1) Direct mail2) Literature Drops3) Voice to Voice contact by

phone4) Person to Person contact

by door canvassing

Direct Mail

- Highly targeted persuasion & GOTV tactic

- Once you start, you cannot go dark

- Stick with an interesting & repetitive message

- Know your production, shipping & delivery timelines

Drawbacks:Lower impact than canvass, phones

No info back from voters Expensive

Phonebanks

- Your most versatile voter contact tactic

- High number of contacts- Two way communication

- Ideal for voter identification, persuasion, & GOTV

Drawbacks:- Lower impact than canvassing- Increasingly difficult to reach voters

Canvassing

- Know your turf

- Prepare your canvass packets

- Train your volunteers•Provide ‘context’

•Explain the Canvass Packet Materials•Review scripts, responses and coding

•Role Plays!

Sample Canvass Packet• Scripts • Walksheets• Maps• Campaign Lit• Candidate FAQ• Goodie bags (food, water, stickers, etc)•Pencil

Be Prepared

1. Securing Facilities

2. Developing a Schedule

3. Recruiting Volunteers

4. Cutting Turf

Be Prepared

Assemble materials beforehand

Basics of a volunteer shift

� Pre-Briefing and Training

� Keeping Volunteers Motivated

� De-Briefing Volunteers

� Supervising Throughout

Data Entry

� Don’t procrastinate!

� The information you collect on the phones and doors is the reason you’re doing it

� You need to be able to find it when you need it

Roleplay

- Split into two groups- 1st group will be voters- 2nd group will be canvassers- Run through script to the appropriate point for each voter based on what you get when you are at the door.- Switch! And do it again!

Sample Voter ID Persuasion Script

Hi, this is ___(your first name)____, is ____(first name)___ available?

Hi, I'm a volunteer with (Candidate Name/ Party Name/Campaign Name). We’re

talking to our neighbors about (Candidate/Campaign). Are you familiar with her?

If yes, they’re familiar,

Are you planning on voting for the (Candidate) in November?

� If yes, ask them to volunteer and thank them and say goodbye.

� If no, ask them what their concerns are and try to address them. If still “no,” thank

them for their time.

If no, they aren’t familiar,

Well, I’m volunteering for [Candidate] because [insert your reason]. It’s one of the

small but for me important ways [Candidate] listens to our concerns and can make our

town better.

What are some things that you wish could be changed here in town.

Sample Voter ID Persuasion Script

Well, (Candidate) has been out working hard, talking and listening to folks. And what

she’s been hearing is that a lot of people think the current city leadership has dropped

the ball. (Candidate) thinks so, too, and thinks that it’s time to try something new. So

do I. How about you?

Can (Candidate) count on your vote for mayor in November?

If yes,

Great! Can we get your email address to keep you informed on the campaign and ask

you to volunteer? Thank you again for your time and have a great day/night!

If no,

What are your concerns about [Candidate]? [Try to address them if applicable -- if still

no, thank them for their time and hang up.]

If still undecided,

Thanks for your time. [Candidate] hopes to earn your support. Have a great night!