Canvassing 101

One of the most powerful tools in a grassroots campaign, such as a school board race, is canvassing.  It is exceptionally effective.  I’ve knocked on countless doors where the person has told me how nice it was to talk with me, I’ve been the only person to knock on their door, and other positive comments.  Canvassing is personal, it’s cheap, and is the most dramatic way to influence voters.

Getting started

First you must have a written plan that answers the questions:

1. Who are you going to see?  Whose doors are you knocking on?
2. What do you want to do?  ID, persuade, chasing early ballots, or GOTV?
3. When are you going to do this?
4. Where are you going?  What precincts would help you the most?

These questions are an essential part to your campaign plan.  Once you have these, you move onto the actual canvass.

The Canvas

Organizing the canvass is a key part to ensuring a successful day, as well as to keep your volunteers coming back.

Materials

• Walk list - what doors are you knocking on and who are you talking to.
• Literature — something to give to the voter, and possibly to leave at the door if they’re not home (depending on your campaign plan)
• Map — you need to know how you’re getting there.  And it also will help plan an efficient route
• Voter reg cards — if there’s a non-registered voter, register them!
• Sample script — for those who don’t know the candidate or need a cheat sheet..  It also helps stay on message.
• Tracking system — a system for the canvassers to track their contacts.  Was the person a major supporter?  Do they want as sign?  Were they not home?  Is there a big scary dog in the yard?
• Clipboards — this is a matter of personal preference, most people like to use them.
• Pens — one needs to take notes
• Water - we do live in Arizona, water is essential to for healthy volunteers.

After the canvass

After the canvass, first thing is to thank your volunteers.   Again, you want to keep them coming back.  Next, work on inputting the data into the system.  During the 2006 campaign, we had a visual tracking system where we colored in how many positive contacts we made.  At the end of the day you need a certain amount of votes by a certain day and you need to constantly assess and reflect so that way decisions can be made strategically.

Tips for success

• keep conversations short
• don’t go into houses
• carry a cell phone
• know where your volunteers are or communicate where you’re going
• make sure there is an ASK:  ask for a vote, support, a voter reg card.  Ask the person for what you need
• Make it fun.  If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right

Alicia Cybulski, Political Director
AZ School Works