Canvassing Guide

Talking directly to voters is the most effective way to get people to vote.
Use this guide to learn how.

Introduction to Canvassing
by CGB Political Director Janet Singer

Why Do We Canvass?

  • Get out the vote (especially EARLY)

  • Raise awareness/name recognition

  • Counteract misinformation

  • Help overcome obstacles to voting

  • Persuade voters toward our candidates

  • Learn the most important issues to discuss with voters

  • Enlist additional help (lawn signs, volunteers, etc.)

Which Voters Do We Target?

We don’t waste time on voters we can’t
or don’t need to persuade.

Early (well before election) — focus is Persuasion

  • Target group 1: Undecided/swing voters who always vote.

  • Target group 2: Undecided/swing voters who sometimes vote.

Near election time — focus is Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

  • Target group: Reliable Democrats who sometimes vote.

Preparing To Canvass

What to Bring

  • Comfortable clothing. (But usually no overt Democratic t-shirts — you may be talking to Independent voters.)

  • Good walking shoes + bandaids.  Waterproof hiking boots are better than rainboots if it’s wet.

  • Water/snacks

  • Fully charged phone with the MiniVan app installed (Download MiniVan for Android or MiniVan for IPhone.  Watch this 5 minute tutorial.)

  • Phone charger

  • External phone battery, if you have one

  • Hand sanitizer, sunscreen

  • Sunglasses (but take them off while talking!)

  • Good attitude

Your Canvassing Day

  • Meet up at assigned location — candidate’s office or group headquarters

  • Orientation to the candidates — up and down the ballot, local issues, the neighborhood

  • Literature to drop

  • Walk List assigned

  • Read through script on MiniVan. Review talking points and make the script your own

  • Plan with your partner how you’ll tackle your list —where you’ll go first etc.

  • Head out in pairs or trios

  • Knock as many doors as you can 

  • Break when you need to

  • Gather at the end of the day to debrief

Be a detective!

When walking up to the door, look around. What do you notice in the environment that gives you a hint about the voter and the issues they might care about?

Family member in military?

They have kids (and dogs)

Fan of college sports team?

Religious

Steps for a Productive Conversation with a Voter

(Click on each item for details and examples.)

    • Trust your instincts —safety first.

    • DON'T walk on lawns.

    • Take off your sunglasses.

    • Knock or ring the bell, step back, and smile.

    • Avoid reading directly from the MiniVan script on your phone.

    • Pay attention to who you are talking to and personalize!

    • Use information on your MiniVan walk list (age, party preference). Confirm that you are talking to the voter on the list.

  • Tell them in your own words why you are there.

    “I’m a volunteer in the neighborhood hoping to hear from you and voters like you.” 

    Don't ask if they have time to talk with you.

    • Start right in with, “I will only take a minute of your time,” and then proceed to key concepts. If they aren’t receptive, play it by ear and try to make some key points. Give literature.

    If you encounter rude voters (rare)

    • Don’t let it discourage you or waste your time. Every canvasser at one point or another has had a difficult interaction, but they are rare.

    • If voter is clearly not going to vote Democratic, thank them for their time and move along.

  • Ask with empathy and interest.

    Sample Opening Questions to assess Key Voter Issues/Thoughts:

    • We’re interested in what voters are thinking. 

    • Wondering what thoughts you are having about our election?

    • What issues are important to you these days?

    • What keeps you up at night?

    • What things are on your mind these days?

    • Looks like you have children; is education important to you?

    • If you could change just one thing in your state, what would it be?

    Validate concerns: Use “Active Listening” and reflect back what you hear from the voter.  Use the 75/25% rule: Listen 75% of the time; talk 25% of the time.

    • I hear you.

    • I can definitely relate to that.

    • Tell me more about that.

    • Share a personal story, if fitting.

    Follow-up Questions

    • Have you been following the election?

    • Are you a pretty regular voter, or just sometimes?

  • Connecting the voter's top issues to the candidate's positions will help motivate the voter.

    • Emphasize how our candidate will address the voter's top concerns.

    • Use Candidate or Campaign Talking Points — but adapt to each voter.

  • Asking voters what their plan is for voting is one of the most effective ways to ensure they will actually follow through. And asking them to  be a voter is more effective than asking if they will vote.

    • If they don’t already have a plan, help them make it.

    Sample Questions on Getting Commitment

    • So have we got a deal then? (extend hand or elbow)

    • Can we count on you to join with us this year?

    • On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to be a voter?

    • Can we count on you to support ____?

    • If they are a supporter, ask them to volunteer, take a yard sign, or encourage their network to vote.

    Sample Questions on Enlisting Help or Reaching out to Others

    • Will you volunteer or take a yard sign?

    • Are there other people you can reach out to, to help us win?

    • Are there 3 friends and family you can reach out to, to help us win?

    • Does anyone you know need to be registered? Including those who have moved, including new neighbors who might support us?

Persuasion for Undecided Voters

Listen and ask questions. Validate voter’s feelings/opinions.

…Tell me more… …I get that… …I totally hear your concern…

Types of Questions to Ask:

  • What issues matter to you?

  • If you could set the priorities, what would they be? 

  • What do you wish politicians would talk more about?

  • What do you hear/read from the news that interests you?

Watch examples of different scenarios for talking to voters.

How to Respond:

LINK what they identify as important to the candidate.

Example: “Kamala Harris has been a strong advocate for reproductive rights.”

CONNECT by using personal anecdotes. Use the clues you found earlier to build trust.

Say things like this (hard to argue with):

✅︎ “As a mother with 2 kids in public school…”

✅︎ “As someone with daughters …”

✅︎ “As someone who used to feel my vote didn't matter…”

✅︎ “I met a woman 2 weeks ago who’s working 2 jobs”

Not this:

❌ “The latest August jobs report actually shows…”

If you want to use a fact:

✅︎ “Would it surprise you to learn…that crime is actually way down?”

If voter is negative or disagrees, acknowledge your differences!

“It sounds like we won't agree on this. Maybe there's another issue that can get your vote.”

DON’T make up facts. If you don’t know the answer, say:

“That’s a good question, I’m a volunteer, I will have someone at the campaign get back to you.”

To learn more, check out our page on How to Inspire Voters.

Social Pressure + Voting Information = Voter Motivation

Social Pressure:

  • A messaging technique that reminds voters that voting is a social norm.

  • Makes voters feel accountable to that norm by communicating that whether they vote is public record.

Examples:

  • Official records show you voted in [2018] and [2020] but missed the [2022] election.

  • Public records show you voted [early/by mail] in the last election.

  • You’re usually a reliable voter but we notice that you haven’t returned your ballot yet!

  • Will you pledge to vote on November [day]?

  • Can you commit to [vote/mail in your ballot/drop off your ballot] this week?

Voting Information:

Help the Voter Make a Voting Plan

  • What time of day do you think you’ll vote?

  • Do you think you’ll vote by mail, vote early, or vote on Election Day?

  • Do you know where you will drop off your ballot?

  • Will you drop off your ballot before or after work?

  • It takes $XX postage to mail in your ballot. Do you have stamps on hand?

  • Do you know where your polling place is?

Thank the Voter

  • Thank you for your commitment to return your ballot this week.

  • Thanks for pledging to vote this year.

  • I know you pledged to vote this year, no matter what. Thanks!